Fighting for Identity (Ephesians 6:10-18)

I'm a big fan of the warfare metaphor when thinking/talking about our spiritual life. I have been for as long as I remember. I know some people that think things like, "A relationship with Jesus shouldn't be a violent fight, it should be a peaceful walk in the park." I like that thought process too, except for the whole problem of sin and Satan. Can't really walk in the park peacefully when Satan might be behind that tree up there waiting to lure you into a trap. That's why I like the term "spiritual warfare."

I have a hunch that my fascination with this term probably comes from my high school youth pastors' admitted obsession with Ephesians 6:10-18. I'm not joking when I say we talked about those verses at youth group at least twice a semester.

Ephesians 6:10-18 says:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

I absolutely love how this talks about our walk with the Lord. It's a warning to be cautious, an exhortation to preach the Word, and an encouragement to stand for God.

This has all been extremely relevant to me recently. I feel like I'm in a fight to continually find my identity in what Christ has done for me, and not in what others think about me (or how I think of myself for that matter). Reading these verses, I remember that God has given me the tools to fight this evil. I remember that only in Christ and in the Gospel can I find the protection necessary to prevent myself from self-destructive thoughts or actions. I remember that the same power that resurrected Christ from the dead is working in me to resurrect my life.

And in that I can truly find my identity.

- Joe