Sunday on Monday - October 5th, 2026
Yesterday, we took a short break from Romans for a two-week series that focuses on spiritual warfare. In this series, we look at Ephesians 6 and ask a simple question: Do you know your enemies?
Paul reminds us that the Christian life is a real spiritual battle. But one of the enemy’s most effective strategies is getting us to fight the wrong person.
Your spouse may frustrate you. Your child may disappoint you. Someone at work or church may hurt you. But Paul says, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood.” That doesn’t mean people never sin against us or that conflict with that person isn’t real. It means there’s more going on than we can see.
When we forget this, the trials, conflicts, and struggles of this world can become opportunities for the enemy to undermine our effectiveness in God's Kingdom work.
You are the hands and feet of Jesus, but his lies—and the discouragement that comes from embracing the selfishness produced by sin—can bind those hands and feet that were created to serve and minister for Him.
Satan and the forces of evil are working to steal our joy in God by causing us to doubt His goodness, become overwhelmed by discouragement, or trade satisfaction in Jesus for sin.
The Enemy Works through Deception
Satan wants us to believe lies about God, about ourselves, about sin, and about other people. You can probably relate to this particular strategy of deception. Before we sin, he minimizes sin: “It’s not that serious.” After we sin, he maximizes hopelessness: “You are beyond grace.” Both are lies.
So this week, pay attention to what you think and believe.
- Are you treating another person like the enemy? Admit that to God.
- Are you believing something about God that is not true? Search the Scriptures and trust God's voice.
- Are you depending on your own strength? Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith.
Scripture never calls us to live the Christian life independently of God’s strength. Trying harder and making empty promises always ends in frustration. Paul reminds us of this when he writes, “Be strong in the Lord.”
The answer to spiritual warfare is not becoming obsessed with Satan. It is becoming more dependent on Jesus, more convinced of His love for you, more grounded in truth, and more willing to stand firm in what Jesus has already accomplished for us.
