Day 1: Living A Disciplined Life - How to be Victorious over the Enemy

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11, NLT)

All of us are in a spiritual battle. Our enemy is not other people; it’s Satan and his forces who scheme against us. They want to distract us, defeat us, discourage us, devour us, and destroy us. The apostle Paul understood this battle well, but he also knew this fundamental truth: The battle is not ours in the first place. It’s God’s.

That’s why Paul focused on God much more than on the devil in today’s passage. It’s easy to focus our attention on the principalities and powers and all their schemes, but that’s not what Paul did. Instead, he told the believers to find their victory in God. In fact, the strength we have is God’s strength. The power we have is God’s power. And, even the armor we wear is not ours; it, too, is God’s. The same God who called us to himself when we were hopeless and lost is the God who arms us for the battle.

What must we do, then? We put on the full armor of God—which means we live out our position in Christ by practically obeying him. Positionally, we are victorious because God has redeemed us and made us his children. Practically, though, we who are secure in Christ must walk in truth, righteousness, and faith even as we live out and proclaim the salvation we find in the Word of God. Attaining victory, then, does not come by following some spiritual warfare formula or technique; it comes by following Jesus. Victory comes when we “lead a life worthy of [our] calling” (Ephesians 4:1).

Living in victory over the enemy requires discipline in our lives. We need discipline to meet with God in his Word regularly, to pray to him continually, to reject the arrows of temptation quickly, and to walk with Christ faithfully. That kind of disciplined living will, in fact, dislodge the enemy in our lives as we focus instead on Christ and his commands. Obedience to Christ equals victory over the enemy.

So, are you following God fully today? If not, God grants us new beginnings each day—and this day might be a new start for you. If Christ who is truth lives in you, be a person of integrity. Make righteous choices when temptation arises. Speak the good news to others. Trust God’s promises. Live out your salvation. Know, follow, and proclaim God’s Word. Live a disciplined life.

ACTION STEPS:

1. Determine one area of your life you need to adjust to walk faithfully with God. Make the adjustment, knowing you have God’s armor to live in victory.
2. Thank God that he is our divine warrior.