Salvation Through Jesus Doesn’t Make You Free from Spiritual Attacks
Have you ever felt like life gets harder after being saved by Jesus? We’ll get attacks because we are not slaves of sin anymore.
Scripture - Ephesians 6:12 (CSB)
‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.’
Observation
This verse is Paul's message to the church in Ephesus. Paul reminds them that spiritual warfare is real because we are born again in Christ. The power of darkness is real and uses the people around us or our weaknesses—namely, the flesh. Spiritual warfare is experienced by those who are no longer slaves to sin. What we must highlight here is that even though we are born again in Christ, it doesn't mean we are immune to attacks from the enemy.
In addition to reminding us of the reality of spiritual warfare, in the following verses, Paul explains what we must do to protect ourselves in this battle. Remember that we are humans with a fleshly nature—we cannot fight without God's protection and help.
Application
Be quick to repent. We will never be perfect like Jesus. There are times when we fall back into the same habit that doesn’t please God. Satan will always use that to make children of God turn away from Him. But don’t let Satan succeed. Always be quick to repent every time you sin again, and always seek God to help you with repentance.
Ask God for discernment. What seems good in the world may not be good before God. Some actions that don’t harm others—like idol worship—still hurt God. So what looks right to us can be wrong to God. Ask the Lord to show you what is good and what is evil so you are kept from death.
Obedience. The first thing people broke was obedience. People tend to disobey orders. Imagine that eating a forbidden fruit could lead to murder and worse. So obey God’s commands whether you like them or not. Obedience is a way God protects us.
Forgiveness. What did Jesus do when he was crucified for doing nothing wrong? Forgive those people who hated Him. And this is the perfect example for us.
Prayer
Lord,
you created the universe and you made me, inside and out. You know me better than anyone. Forgive me when I let the enemy pull me away from you and let my flesh control my life. Father, help me repent and close every gap in my life that lets the enemy in. You are the only One who can protect me. I am your weak child—please keep me safe from enemies who want to take my faith and my heart from you. We pray and give thanks in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
