Our country is very divided right now, perhaps the most divided it’s been since the Civil War era. We’re constantly arguing and bickering with those we disagree with, and it seems like there is nothing we can all agree on. I feel like this is the most evident on Twitter. Twitter can often seem like a cesspool full of angry, bitter people who think that what they believe is right and anyone who disagrees with is them is a terrible, horrible, awful person. Now, this surely doesn’t describe everyone on Twitter. I’m on Twitter, and I certainly wouldn’t describe myself as angry and bitter ;). But there have been many, many times in recent months that I see a tweet that I think is completely wrong, and it takes a lot of self-control and restraint not to reply, or at least not reply in a way that is not Christ-like.

These days we can often see the people we disagree with on Twitter, on Facebook, or even in real life as our enemies. They believe in things that are completely antithetical to our beliefs and convictions, so we distance ourselves from these perceived enemies as much as possible. Scripture argues, though, that these people are not our enemies, but that we do have a very real enemy who is at work in this world.

As he is wrapping up his letter to the church at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul writes-

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12, ESV

Paul is saying here that our enemy is not a specific person or group of people. Our fight is not with human beings. Instead, our fight is against the rulers, the authorities, the cosmic powers, and the spiritual forces of evil. These rulers and authorities are not presidents, or police, or politicians. They are not kings or congressmen. They are not dictators or professors. They are not made of flesh and blood. These are spiritual beings, specifically demons. And the ruler of these demons is Satan. Our real enemies are not our fellow human beings. Our real enemy is the devil.

The Bible describes Satan as a lion who seeks to devour us. He is our adversary and a thief who only steals and kills and destroys (1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10). He is a murderer and a liar, and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). Though, he likes to make you think otherwise. The devil is a deceiver who often disguises himself as an angel of light (Revelation 12:9, 2 Corinthians 11:14). Remember when those certain sins you’ve struggled with looked so good and appealing, so satisfying and fulfilling in the beginning? Yeah, that was Satan doing what he does best. It’s what he did in the Garden of Eden, and it’s what he does today (Genesis 3:4-6). He spends his time blinding unbelievers, trying to keep them from seeing the truth and the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4).

This all may seem a little discouraging. We’re in a daily battle with spiritual beings who are thieves, murderers, liars, and deceivers, and we’re finite human beings who sin and make mistakes every single day. How do we stand a chance of winning against these invisible, evil beings?

Honestly, we don’t stand a chance. We can’t. But there is hope for us! God sent His Son, Jesus, to the earth to defeat Satan and all his wicked schemes (Hebrews 2:14-15). In fact, the devil has already been judged and defeated when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave (John 16:11, Colossians 2:15). Kristin Schmucker writes-

“We must remember that we are in a very real battle, but we must also recognize that it is already won. This spiritual battle has already been won by Jesus. We are assured victory because Jesus has already defeated the enemy. We live in the already, but not yet. The cross has claimed victory over sin and death and our enemy, but now we wait for the day we will see the full completion of that victory.”^[1]

We may be in a battle now, but Jesus has already won the war. He turned the tide when He died for our sins, and now Satan is fighting a losing battle. One day soon, we will see the ultimate defeat of the devil, and there will be no more sin, no more pain, no more death, no more bitterness, no more arguments, no more division (Revelation 21:4). But we don’t know when that ultimate defeat will come. So, what are we to do in the meantime?

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil… Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:10-11, 13

We are to stand firm and be strong in the Lord. The Lord is our strength, and He equips us with everything we need to stand firm in the spiritual battles we face. Paul goes on to describe how we are to stand firm during these battles using armor imagery. We are to live in truth, righteousness, and peace, always ready to share the gospel (Ephesians 6:14-15). We are to persevere in faith, praying and being rooted in the Word of God (Ephesians 6:16-18).

You are in a real battle, but it’s not with that person you dislike on Twitter. They may seem like your enemy, but they’re really not. You’re in a spiritual battle, fighting against the schemes and temptations of the devil. At times, you may feel defeated and discouraged, but do not lose hope! Jesus already won the battle. He already defeated Satan. The ultimate victory is near. Until then, stand firm and find strength in Jesus-

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

^[1] This quote is from Week Six, Day One of The Daily Grace Co.’s Chosen Bible study on the book of Ephesians written by Kristin Schmucker.