We live in an age filled with fear and uncertainty. As Christians, though, we know that the name of Jesus has the ultimate power over the Evil One. We don’t have to be afraid, because we know that JESUS IS GREATER than any power we will face in this life!
HarperCollins/Zondervan/Thomas Nelson
Day 1
Scripture: Revelation 12:9
As you look at our culture, the question of evil might leave you lost and confused. Perhaps you’ve found yourself wondering what drives some of the unthinkable actions and seemingly inexplicable happenings unfolding all around us. The existence of evil is spoken about throughout Scripture, but its manifestation can often leave us reeling. After all, it’s easy to forget the reality of what we cannot visibly see, especially as we navigate our busy lives.
Ephesians 6:10–12 reminds believers to “put on the full armor of God” so that each person can “stand against the devil’s schemes.” In a culture that tells us we need no such armor and that anything goes, are we truly able to steadily stand?
If we’re told that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” are we taking that warning seriously if we apathetically sit idle?
Paul affirmed that “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). If our culture is blind, perhaps theologians and pastors are right to conclude there is a slippery cultural slope that has helped catapult our society into confusion.
What does that mean for you and your family? How can you build your faith and protect yourself from the fallout? This devotional (based on my book, Playing with Fire) aims to help fan the flames of your faith by exploring the nature of evil and the ways you can fight back while wearing the armor of God.
Day 2
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8
“Satan is a powerful, potent . . . force in our lives, as are his minions.” Bible teacher Hank Hanegraaff didn’t mince words when he described his views on the devil’s potential influence on our lives, noting that spiritual warfare is “the battle for the mind.” Hanegraaff said it’s as though Satan sits on our shoulders and whispers into our ears, attempting to change, transform, or even tweak our thoughts.
“The whisper cannot be heard with the physical ear, but it does penetrate the ear of the mind,” Hanegraaff said. “And therefore the battle for the mind is a battle against the intrusive thoughts, worries of depression, concerns, all of these things that Satan foists upon us.”
These ideas might seem strange, foreign, or disconnected, especially as we navigate a deeply materialistic world—but the Bible makes it clear not only that Satan exists but also that we are each called to stand up, prepare, and fight back against his assaults on our hearts and minds.
Who is Satan? Scripture tells us quite a lot about his character and we will spend the remaining days in this devotional exploring how to seek spiritual health and combat him. But let’s briefly look at the devil’s character and being. To begin with, the Bible tells us Satan is a deceiver and liar who routinely authors, sparks, and perpetuates confusion. Revelation 12:9 tells us that Satan “leads the whole world astray” and 1 John 3:8 proclaims that “the devil has been sinning from the beginning,” going on to note that Jesus came to “destroy the devil’s work.”
Satan’s diabolical character is also expressed in other areas of Scripture:
- The devil is an “enemy” who “prowls around like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8).
- Satan hatches “schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).
- He is a “tempter” (Matthew 4:3 and 1 Thessalonians 3:5).
- Satan is the “prince of this world” (John 12:31).
- The devil is a deceiver who has “blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
- He is at work “in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2).
- Satan is an accuser (Revelation 12:10).
Clearly, we are called not only to recognize these realities but also to “take up the shield of faith” and “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Many Christians aren’t sure what this means or where to start. This might be new for you, or perhaps you need a reminder.
For day 3 of this devotional, we’ll explore what Paul wrote about how to protect ourselves (Ephesians 6).
Day 3
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-11
The Bible tells us the dangers that come from playing with fire and allowing evil to permeate our lives. As we covered in day 1 of this devotional, Satan is deceptive—and he’s aiming to seep into our hearts and minds. How exactly do we protect ourselves?
Let’s start with a deeper awareness. Ephesians 6 offers some startling descriptions of what the Bible tells us is unfolding in the spiritual realm. The text encourages humans to “put on the full armor of God” so that we can “stand against the devil’s schemes” (v. 11).
These references drive home some important points about the Christian worldview: there is a cunning enemy, the devil, who has the ability to mislead us; but God gives us the power to ward off the devil’s diabolical forces.
“The Bible tells us that we are in a battle with Satan himself,” Dr. Michael Brown told me in an interview for Playing with Fire. “The Bible tells us that we’re not wrestling with flesh and blood but with demonic powers operating in a systematic, coordinated way. So to be sober-minded means to recognize the reality of the spiritual realm.”
This dynamic is explained in the biblical text, as there is a stirring description of the darkness unfolding beneath the surface—a darkness that often bubbles over to the world around us, and one that should cause us to draw closer to God.
Paul wrote that it is with the “shield of faith” that we can “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6). There is a lot to unpack in Ephesians 6:10–17 during the days to follow. But first, let’s take a look at the solution: Christ.
Jesus reminds us of his love for us, proclaiming, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
Finding that fullness of life requires a heartfelt effort. And we learn that it means putting on “the full armor of God.” “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10–11, emphasis added).
Day 4
Scripture: Ephesians 6:12
Paul made something abundantly clear: the most profound struggle we face in life isn’t against those around us; it’s against evil—the diabolically, unpalatable forces the Bible tells us seek to destroy us (Ephesians 6:12).
It’s a battle against the devil. We are told he prowls about like a lion, scheming to catch us, tempt us, deceive us, and use other means to separate us from the Lord. While we cannot typically see the physical manifestation of this, we can see its influence in a culture that is being slowly enveloped in moral confusion and darkness.
From the messages in our media and throughout Hollywood to the nation’s general move away from God and toward secularism, it seems the “prince of this world” has made a deeper headway in finding channels through which he can affect human beings.
But hope still abounds. The Bible tells us the conclusion of the story, and it’s not one in which Satan emerges victorious. Still, that does not mean there won’t be a battle.
We are each called to spiritual arms, and we are told that we must not be distracted by the material battles before us (Ephesians 6). We must first recognize that evil exists, that our main struggle is against “the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” and that we must arm ourselves with truth.
In the end, we have a deep and profound hope. Take some time to think and pray over Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
The verses from Ephesians 6 that follow provide everything we need to know about how to protect ourselves, our families, and our loved ones. It’s a simple remedy, but a lifetime of devotion to its merits is required.
A life of faith is the most powerful and fulfilling quest we can embark on.
Day 5
Scripture: Ephesians 6:13
Once we recognize who Satan is and the effect he can have on our hearts, minds, and our broader culture, we can dive further into how we should proceed and live out our faith.
Ephesians 6:13 tells us that the solution to the problem of evil is to “put on the full armor of God.” What does this mean, you ask? Be in the Word (read your Bible on a daily basis). Be in constant prayer. And live out Jesus’ mandates to love God and love others, balancing truth and love in the process.
Foundationally, it’s about fostering a genuine relationship with Christ and then building up that relationship, learning and growing in the process. The goal is to have a persistent and flourishing faith throughout the remainder of our lives, partaking in the Bible and prayer in a way that brings nourishment to our hearts, minds, and souls.
How can we stand our ground if we’ve barely made any effort to engage in the solution to the very persistent evil surrounding us? Just as we cannot cure many infections without medication, we cannot ignore God and his Word and expect to be able to stand our ground when evil strikes.
There are many ways to build a solid relationship with God. If this is an area where you struggle, consider a few options to help build up your arsenal of armor:
- Begin morning Bible studies. Read through a book of the Bible chapter by chapter.
- Grab a journal and start writing down your prayers to the Lord. (I’ve found this very effective.)
- Write out a Bible verse each day and place it where it will remind you of God’s love.
- Schedule time to pray in the morning and in the evening—no matter what!
There’s no reason to fear evil when Christ is on our side. “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
Day 6
Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-17
One of the most stirring statements embedded in Ephesians 6 is the reminder that we have a “gospel of peace.” While spiritual warfare often comes in benign or somewhat minor forms, some people—as I explore in my book Playing with Fire—experience more diabolical manifestations of evil.
Regardless of the intensity, there is hope. What we know from Satan’s description is that he ushers in the polar opposite of peace. And as we watch the news, look at social media, and explore the world around us, it is clear that peace is far from what we are observing these days.
It is easy to lose heart and to let hopelessness overtake us, but if we take the steps needed to put on the full armor of God, the Bible tells us that we can have peace in Christ, no matter what unfolds—a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
“The power of God to protect is greater than the power of Satan to pillage,” Hank Hanegraaff told me. “So, the emphasis on spiritual warfare is always on the provision that God has given to us to stand firm and after everything, to stand—to stand against principalities and powers of darkness.”
As we discuss the importance of building a deeper faith, consider doing a self-assessment to see where you stand. What are weak spots in your life that need strengthening? How can you better embrace your faith (in addition to the tips offered in our day 5 devotional). The forces of evil are real and diabolical, and your response is key.
I’ll leave you with the following scripture, which offers powerful insight:
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:16–17)
Day 7
Scripture: Ephesians 6:18
Prayer is one of the most powerful acts of faith—a connective tool that guides us closer to the Lord. After Paul wrote about taking up “the shield of faith,” he implored the church to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
Translation? Pray all the time without ceasing.
Unfortunately, we sometimes tend to turn to prayer only in times of crisis or deep need, but if we condition ourselves to pray daily and continually—not only for ourselves but also for others—we will see powerful life change.
As we seek peace in our lives, prayer should be a central component of our daily routines. This is especially true as we express gratitude for all we have, seek the Lord for His will in our lives, and make other such appeals. And as we solidify this process, it’s essential that we revisit what we know about Satan: he’s an enemy who “prowls . . . like a roaring lion,” who hatches schemes, who tempts and deceives, and who has “blinded the minds of unbelievers.”
It’s so easy to ignore the fact that the “prince of the world” is at work and to pretend it’s not happening and that we’re somehow immune. But we’re not. It’s tragically too easy to fall when we let down our guard, therefore we should be taking the time each day to pray not only for our own strength but also for the strength, courage, and clarity of our friends and family.
Paul wrote that it is essential to “be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (v. 18). Consider creating a list of your friends and loved ones and making the commitment to consistently pray for them. Make it a habit to seek God’s strength, his face, and, most importantly, his will.
Paul also asked for prayers for himself: “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” (Ephesians 6:19–20).
Let’s pray that we, too, can live and share the gospel fearlessly, finding the peace that only God can give and escaping the evil that can so easily permeate our environment when we ignore his truth.