Spiritual Warfare - Pastor Johnny Marten
Spiritual warfare is a reality for every believer, a battle that rages not just around us but within us. Each of us faces an internal struggle, a conflict between what is good and what is evil, between the desires of the Spirit and the temptations of the flesh. This battle is not fought with physical weapons or by returning evil for evil, but by responding with goodness, faith, and the power of God’s Word. The story of Job reminds us that much of what happens in our lives is shaped by spiritual realities we cannot see, and that our response in times of suffering reveals the depth of our faith.
Job’s life was marked by integrity and devotion to God, yet he suffered unimaginable loss and pain. What Job could not see was the spiritual contest behind his suffering—a test of his faithfulness. Even when his friends and his wife misunderstood the reasons for his pain, Job refused to blame God. Instead, he worshiped, trusted, and held fast to his integrity. This teaches us that we must be careful not to judge others’ suffering or assume we know the reasons behind their trials. Often, the real battle is unseen, and our role is to support, not to speculate.
Paul’s words in Ephesians 6 call us to put on the full armor of God, equipping ourselves with truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. The enemy attacks with subtle arrows—offense, anger, temptation, and lies. If we do not deal with these thoughts and emotions properly, they can take root and cause great harm. We are called to take every thought captive, to refuse to fill in the blanks with our own assumptions, and to seek reconciliation and truth.
Prayer is our lifeline in this battle. Not just recited or ritualistic prayers, but heartfelt, Spirit-led communion with God. When we persist in prayer, the enemy flees. Our faith is tested most when we do not understand what God is doing, but like Job, we are called to trust that God has our best interests at heart, even in the darkest moments. Ultimately, the outcome of this spiritual battle depends on which “wolf” we choose to feed—the one of love, faith, and truth, or the one of anger, bitterness, and deception.