Series: The Inheritance of the Saints
Facing the Enemy: Part 2 — Post 8 of 35
Know Your Enemy, Take Your Stand
The greatest danger in spiritual warfare is not the strength of the enemy—it is our ignorance of him. “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11) But today, many believers are.
We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood. Our fight is not with people, but with unseen powers that manipulate, accuse, tempt, and deceive (Ephesians 6:12). These enemies thrive in the shadows. When unrecognized, they influence the soul, relationships, and even churches.
Israel had visible enemies—Amalekites, Hittites, Philistines. But we face spiritual giants: fear, bitterness, pride, deception, lust, apathy. These aren’t just bad habits—they’re strongholds.
Moses warned the people: “If ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land… those which ye let remain shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides.” (Numbers 33:55) What Israel failed to conquer came back to conquer them.
So it is in Christ. If we don’t deal with the enemy within—thoughts, attitudes, lies, sins—we give him space. “Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27)
The New Testament calls us to be alert and sober (1 Peter 5:8), to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11), to cast down imaginations (2 Corinthians 10:4-5), and to resist the devil (James 4:7). This is not passive Christianity—it is disciplined, Spirit-empowered warfare.
Jesus cast out demons, rebuked lies, exposed hypocrisy, and crushed Satan underfoot. And now, through His Church, He continues to do the same (Romans 16:20).
Do not be ignorant of the enemy’s ways. Study how he works. Watch your thoughts. Guard your heart. Refuse his lies. Stand your ground.
The land belongs to Christ—but we must not let the enemy remain in it.
Drive him out.