For the weapons of our warfare are not ^[a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ 2nd Corinthians 10:4- 5

The words “Weapons of our Warfare” echoes in my heart as I think upon the hardships and struggles in life. It is evident in this world through the news and chaos that is going on almost everywhere that we are up against an enemy.  1Peter 5:8 tells us that the enemy roars like a lion looking for someone to devour. Every awakening day of our lives we stand against the enemy who seeks to steal, kill and destroy us. But this the good news that in Christ Jesus we are overcomers. Jesus Christ has overcome the enemy and in Him we also overcome.

In today’s devotion, we will focus on the “Weapons of our Warfare”. Although the phrase may portray a violent or ferocious image of weapons, the weapons are not destructive, rather they are gentle yet powerful Kingdom building weapons. Beloved, we are called wage a warfare against the enemy with grace and power through Jesus Christ.

Here, I share with you some of the weapons we are given by God to overcome this warfare.

Let’s turn to the Book of Ephesians, Paul states:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Ephesians 6:12-18

For every war, one must be geared up to fight. We do not gear up physically as the soldiers and navy do, we gear up our spirit man. We clothe our spirit-beings in order to stand and overcome the enemy in this warfare.  In this warfare, Paul highlights we should always be geared with God’s Truth, the Righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Peace, Shield of faith in God, the helmet of Salvation, the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and finally Praying always. This armor in all portrays a person that has put on Christ. In life, when the enemy wages war against us, we stand to overcome when we put on Christ.

After we have put on Christ the weapons that we use are the fruit of the Spirit:

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ^23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

The Spirit of God at work in a person who has put on Christ is able to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit. The enemy cannot stand a person who has put on Christ bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Beloved, know this: “You are a powerful person in the eyes of the enemy when you put on Christ and bear the fruit of the Spirit”

The image of putting on Christ and bearing the fruit of Spirit may seem to the world that you are meek, simple, humble and harmless but in the eyes of the enemy, you are powerful beyond measure pulling down strongholds and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ.

Beloved do not underestimate the power of Christ on and in you. When the storms of life wage against you, continue to always put on Christ and press on bearing the fruit of the Spirit and surely God will manifest His faithfulness in your life. Stay blessed and always remember that Jesus Christ dearly loves you.