An Ancient Enemy in a Modern World
How do you put on the armour of Christ in this disturbing, sinful era of ours? This is not merely a rhetorical question. It is a searching one that every child of God must ask with trembling seriousness. Scripture leaves us with no illusions. The same devil who tempted Adam and Eve, who sought to sift Peter like wheat, and who opposed the saints of old, has not retired. He remains active, cunning, and passionately desirous to deceive many in our own generation. Even now, as many celebrate a new beginning filled with hope for change, the devil persists.
Nevertheless, the church must be mature and brave. The Reformed teachings compel us to hold two truths together without compromise: Satan is real and dangerous, but he is a defeated enemy. Christ has already triumphed over him at the cross. Still, the New Testament repeatedly calls believers to vigilance, sobriety, and disciplined holiness.
The question, therefore, is not whether Christ has won; He has (Col. 2:15). The question is whether we are living in the daily reality of that victory by putting on the armour of Christ.
The Devil’s Schemes: Old Paths, Familiar Doors
The devil’s methods are not new. He tempts “old saints” and new believers alike with ancient strategies, carefully modified to fit each era. His schemes often involve doors once opened: patterns of sin, attitudes, or compromises that gave him opportunity in the past.
Scripture warns us that we wrestle “not against flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:12). If the body of Christ remembers even briefly that temptation is not merely psychological or social but spiritual, we will learn to shut every door the enemy once used to gain entrance. Doors once opened must remain shut with a radical, gospel-shaped resistance to evil. This year, consider what Paul teaches in 1 Thess. 4:3–8, which is amazingly relevant: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…”
Holiness is not optional. It is not extreme. It is the ordinary will of God for His redeemed people. To disregard holiness, especially in “small things”, is to underestimate the refinement of deception.
Holiness as a Habit: Small Obedience, Great Protection
One of Satan’s most effective lies is that small compromises do not matter. Many have bought this idea and are living with it. Scripture teaches the opposite. Holiness is a habit formed by small, consistent obedience that resists large deception.
Holiness grows through:
- Prayer that trains the heart to depend on God
- Sabbath rest that reorders our loves
- Faithful worship that recentres our affections
- Scripture reading that renews the mind
- Generosity and service that loosen the grip of self
These are not remarkable acts. They are ordinary means of grace. Yet God uses them powerfully to guard His people.
Neglect in these areas does not happen overnight. It happens gradually. Just reflect on yourself and probably your community. Some who were burning for Christ have become cold. And gradual neglect creates vulnerability. As Jesus Himself warned, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32). Freedom and protection are inseparable from remaining in Christ’s Word.
The Armour of God: More Than Image
Paul commands believers to “put on the whole armour of God” (Eph. 6:11). A close understanding of this armour is not a mystical symbol detached from daily life. These are Spirit-empowered disciplines rooted in union with Christ. Such are:
- The truth is that a mind shaped by Scripture resists lies.
- Righteousness is achieved through a life that is grounded in Christ’s righteousness and expressed through obedience.
- Gospel readiness that stabilises flow from peace with God
- Faith through daily trust extinguishes the enemy’s accusations.
- Salvation through assurance that guards the heart and mind
- The Word of God: The only offensive weapon, rightly handled
- Prayer: Continual dependence on God’s strength
To pray through Ephesians 6:10-18 daily is not superstition. It is spiritual wisdom. These practices form resistance in the believer, shaping a life that is alert rather than careless.
Emotional Gateways and Spiritual Neglect
Scripture also teaches that spiritual danger often begins inwardly. The enemy seeks entrance primarily through emotions and attitudes such as “pride, rebellion, bitterness, fear, and a deep sense of rejection or unworthiness”.
When one's attitudes are compromised, doors are opened. Scripture repeatedly links the inner life to spiritual vulnerability. Peter’s warning is sobering: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).
Notice the call is not to panic but to soberness and watchfulness. The remedy is resistance “firm in your faith” (1 Pet. 5:9). In this context, faith refers not to vague hopefulness but to a steadfast confidence in Christ’s finished work.
Signs of Dangerous Compromise
Believers should examine themselves honestly. Scripture encourages self-examination without despair. Some warning signs include:
- Repeatedly resilient to the same sin while feeling powerless to resist
- A secret life of temptation, isolated from Christian accountability
- Persistent fear, shame, or inner accusations that disrupt worship
- Attraction to occult practices or unbiblical spiritualities
- Dominant attitudes of pride, rebellion, bitterness, fear, or worthlessness
These are not reasons for shame-driven withdrawal but calls to repentance and renewed dependence on Christ.
Christ’s Victory and Our Vigilance
The heart of the gospel must never be lost: “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him” (Col. 2:15). Christ has already won. Satan is not an equal competitor with God; rather, he is a defeated adversary under control. John Calvin reminds us that, despite Satan's "innumerable devices," Christ's sovereign reign restrains his power (Institutes, 1.14.13).
Yet the Heidelberg Catechism wisely teaches us to pray daily: “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Q&A 127). Victory does not remove the need for vigilance. Actually, it grounds it.
Pastoral Plea
Brothers and sisters, remain in Christ. This means that the best way to avoid being misled or deceived is not to focus excessively on negative influences or evil but to abide in Christ. Neglect of Christ’s teaching creates openings; perseverance in His Word brings freedom and protection.
Therefore, friends:
- Shut every door the enemy once used.
- Pursue holiness in small, faithful ways
- Put on the armour of Christ every day.
- Remain sober-minded and watchful
- Stand firm in the victory Christ has already secured.
The devil still schemes. However, Christ still reigns. And those who remain in Him will not be overcome.
Will you prayerfully answer these three questions?
- In what subtle ways can believers neglect Christ’s teaching in daily life?
- How does Christ’s victory in Colossians 2:15 reshape your approach to temptation?
- How can the church encourage one another to remain in the Word?
“Now may the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thess. 3:5).
