Spiritual Warfare

Exactly 68 years ago, in the early hours of the morning, the Allied Invasion of Normandy ("D-Day") began. The operation was the largest amphibious invasion in world history.

Over 160,000 land troops were involved in this operation: 73,000 American troops, 61,715 British and 21,400 Canadian. 195,700 allied naval and merchant navy personell in over 5,000 ships were involved as well.

 "You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely....The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." - General Dwight D. Eisenhower giving the D-Day order on June 6, 1944.
 

As you can see, this was a massive undertaking! 

The landings took place along a 50-mile stretch of the Normany coast. This landing site was divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. The Americans' orders were to take Utah and Omaha beaches while the British were to take Gold and Sword, leaving the Canadians to take Juno Beach.

D-Day was the beginning of the end for not only the German Armed Forces, but Hitler most of all.

In the same way, Satan is constantly plotting to invade and attack the souls of Christians. The Apostle Peter warns us to "[b]e sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" {I Peter 5:8}

 I don't know about you, but the thought of a hungry lion coming after me with the intent to kill is pretty terrifying to me!

How are we to defend ourselves from Satan's bombardments? The Apostle Paul answers that question for us in Ephesians 6:

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" {Ephesians 6:10-17}

Paul uses the picture of a suit of armor to represent the most important doctrines of Christianity.

First, he stresses the necessity of putting on the entire suit of armor. If a knight failed to put on his entire suit of armor, he would leave himself exposed to the weapons of the enemy, resulting in severe injury or death.

The belt of truth ("loins girt about with truth"): The belt joins the suit of armor together and prevents it from sliding off the wearer's body. Truth, in the same way, is the central doctrine that links all the other elements of Christianity.

The footwear of peace ("feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace"): Footwear protects the feet from anything that would hinder the wearer's movement. Peace, then, is the "footwear" that enables the Christian to share the Gospel with those who have not heard the name of Christ.

The shield of faith: Knights used the shield to stop enemy weapons from hitting their target. Faith is the shield the Christian uses to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Without faith, the Christian has very little defense against the Devil's onslaughts.

The helmet of salvation: The helmet protects the most vital part of the body: the head, which houses the brain. If the head is damaged, the brain cannot work properly, and the whole body suffers. In the same way, then, salvation is the most essential part of the Christian life. Without it, Satan can eat us for breakfast!

The sword of the Spirit: The sword was the knight's main weapon in combat. The Word of God, the Bible, is the Christian's weapon against the Devil's attacks. Without the Sword, we are merely defensive.

We are in a war, my friends. Let's put on the whole armor of God so that we may be effective soldiers in Christ's army!