Daily devotion – War has its casualties!
Standing Firm in a Time of Great Spiritual Battle
Ephesians 6:10-18
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Never have Paul’s words to the church in Ephesians been more relevant than today. We find ourselves in a time of spiritual warfare unlike any other—a battle that is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers of darkness and the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.
As I reflect on the current state of our world, I see a society in rebellion against God, marked by pride, arrogance, and selfishness. This is precisely what Paul foretold in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, where he describes a generation consumed with love for themselves, their pleasures, and material wealth, all while rejecting the power of true godliness.
Here at Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour, we are deeply burdened by the challenges facing Christians today, particularly Christian families. Fathers and mothers are fighting a massive spiritual battle for their children in a world that has thrown away the God-given definitions of gender, marriage, and family. Satan seeks to capture the minds and souls of all who are not anchored in Jesus Christ and His Word.
In response, our focus as a church has been sharpened. The purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ has always been the teaching and preaching of the Gospel, yet many church structures today have drifted from this foundational mission. As pastors and elders, we feel an urgency to return to this biblical focus, ensuring that God’s Word remains central in all we do.
Erwin W. Lutzer, in his book The Eclipse of God, highlights how humanity has replaced the true God with idols of their own making. Paul warns about this in Romans 1:18-25, where people exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped the creation rather than the Creator. This tragic reality explains much of the spiritual darkness we see in our world today.
Parents, the spiritual battle we face is real, and its stakes are eternal. In times past, during wars like WWI and WWII, parents prayed fervently for the safety of their children as they faced the threat of physical death. Today, the battle is even greater—for it concerns the eternal destiny of our loved ones.
Let us not be complacent in raising our children to be strong in their faith in Christ. Instead, let us be diligent in prayer, teaching, and equipping them with the armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
We are in a great battle, but Christ has already given us the victory if we surrender all to Him. May this drive us to our knees in prayer, seeking God’s strength and guidance in this critical time. Stand firm, Church, and hold fast to the promises of our Lord!