The warfare believers must fight is spiritual, personal, intense and continual. It calls for courage, determination and prayer, and therefore believers must stand in God's strength and use the armour he has provided.
General descriptions of spiritual conflict
It is spiritual
Ephesians 6:12 See also Zechariah 4:6; 2 Corinthians 10:3–4; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
It is personal
Luke 22:31–32 See also Romans 7:23; 2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Timothy 4:18
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
It is strenuous
Hebrews 12:4 See also John 16:33; Philippians 1:27–30; 1 Peter 4:12–13
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
It is continual
Ephesians 6:13 See also 2 Timothy 2:3; Hebrews 3:13; Revelation 12:10
Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.
How believers are to fight
With courage
1 Corinthians 16:13 See also Joshua 1:9, Joshua 10:25; 2 Chronicles 32:6–8
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
With determination
1 Timothy 6:12 See also 2 Thessalonians 1:4; Hebrews 10:23; 1 Peter 5:9–10
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.
With watchfulness
1 Peter 5:8 See also 1 Corinthians 16:13; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 6:18
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
With prayer
Ephesians 6:18 See also Exodus 17:11; Matthew 6:13 parallel Luke 11:4; Matthew 26:41 parallels Mark 14:38, Luke 22:46; Acts 12:5; 2 Thessalonians 3:2
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
Standing in God's strength
Ephesians 6:10 See also 1 Samuel 17:45; 2 Samuel 22:40; Psalm 18:32–36, Psalm 118:8; Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:1
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Using the armour of God
Ephesians 6:11 See also Romans 13:12–14; 2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:13–17
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.