Every Christian must eventually wake up and realize the reality of spiritual warfare.

While Christ has forgiven and freed us from the power of sin’s influence, this freedom isn’t free.

On this Memorial Day, we remember those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. We should be grateful for those who sacrificed their lives for our liberty. All who have served gave some, and many lived to talk about it. But some gave their all and never returned home. They are gone but never forgotten.

Ever since Genesis, we have been under attack. We must acknowledge the spiritual nature of it all. Let’s go to God’s Word to hear what the Holy Spirit says. We’re reading Ephesians 6:10-13, 18.

God’s Word is clear. Our struggle is not “against flesh and blood” but against the spiritual powers of darkness.

The Spirit tells us to STAND when the devil works his worst schemes. Through Christ, you and I can maintain our position in every battle because “We are more than conquerors through Him” who loves us (Romans 8:37). We are overcomers “by the blood of the Lamb” and the word of our “testimony” (Revelation 12:11).

Let’s think about 3 ways to STAND when you’re under attack.

1. We must STAND in defense.

Those who understand our American game of football understand the assignment of the defensive line. The line stands to protect their goal line from their opponent. They don’t want to give up a single inch of ground. But we all know that real life is more important than a game.

Our battle is not against any physical enemy with “flesh and blood.” We’re fighting a real devil with a real agenda “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). Therefore, we’re told in verse 13, “having done all, to stand” (13).

That means we STAND when we’ve done all we know how to do. We must stand together to defend our families against all the deceptive attacks and schemes of the devil.

But we also know that the best defense is a good offense. Again it’s like in football but with the offensive line. They kneel to STAND and protect their quarterback, so their team can gain ground.

Christians, we must kneel to STAND in defense of our physical and mental health. Spouses need to STAND in defense of their marriage. Parents need to STAND in defense of their children. Christians need to STAND in defense of their Church and her leaders. Christian, you must decide that your home and family are worth fighting for! Fight for your life and fight for who is important to you.

2. However, for the best defense, we must STAND in unity.

God planted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The devil came as a serpent in their paradise and tempted them. He singled her out and “deceived Eve by his craftiness” (2 Corinthians 11:3). She sinned, and Adam fell right behind her (see Genesis 3).

We should stay alert to the enemy’s modus operandi and refuse division. Whether talking about the immediate family you live with or the church family you worship God with, divide and conquer is always a part of Satan’s strategy. The first syllable of division (di) tells us his intent. He wants to kill your vision from God for a healthy and holy family, church, and community.

But if a football team is unified, it does not mean everyone plays the same position. It means everybody’s going to the same goal line. And if an orchestra is harmonious, it’s not because they all play the same instrument. It’s because they’re all playing the same song. If a choir sings in great harmony, it’s not because they’re all singing the same parts. It’s because they’re each singing their part to the same song. It is the goal that produces unity.

Unity is not uniformity. Unity has to do with the sameness of purpose.

It has been said that home is where the heart is, and I believe that’s what love feels like. So a unified defense that will STAND together is God’s will when we’re under attack.

3. But, our united defense must STAND in prayer.

Ephesians 6:18 guides us to 4 specific ways for our united defense to STAND in prayer. We’re not standing to get attention. We STAND together to pray!

*) We are to pray in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to show God’s people how and what to pray for one another. Most of this discernment is for you to use in your prayer closet.
*) We are to pray on all occasions. Prayer is not the last resort for God’s Children. It’s the first resort and what we do through every battle.
*) We are to pray with all kinds of prayers and requests. Just open your mouth and let your heart talk to your Father.
*) We are to be alert and always keep on praying. It’s easy to be distracted by the temptations in our world. But we cannot allow them to pull us off our position in the battle. We must stand and keep on praying.

How do you stand when you’re under attack?

“Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil, Never run, nor even lag behind; If you would win for God and the right, Just keep on the firing line” (Bessie F. Hatcher).

And, “having done all,” we STAND.

Let’s talk about pro wrestling for a moment (SPOILER ALERT). The contenders battle each other for the crowd’s entertainment, but the purpose is not to decide who will win. The winner was determined before their match ever began. The winning wrestler does not battle for the victory, but from a victory that’s already scripted. He fights with quiet confidence as a winner, knowing he’s already won because it is written.

But your real-life spiritual warfare is not a part of the entertainment industry. God allows us to go through our battles, not to entertain but to show the world; He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).

By His Cross and Resurrection, Christ has “disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them” (Colossians 2:15). He made a show of them openly, and the “rulers of the darkness” are under His feet.

Ephesians 2 informs us that those saved by grace through faith are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Therefore, if those devilish powers are under His feet and you are seated with Christ, you can know that, ultimately, they are under your feet too.

However, the Spirit gives us this wisdom in Ephesians 4. “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (26-27, NIV). Out-of-control emotions and outbursts give the devil a foothold. We can not act in unrighteous anger in seasons of spiritual warfare. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).

We can STAND our ground from the perspective of ultimate victory regardless of the enemy’s fierce attacks. In the end, we win because Christ already has.

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).