Armor Against Darkness

Written by Sherri Bergmann

For many, October is a fun season filled with costumes, pumpkins, and neighborhood gatherings. But for followers of Jesus, it can also be a time to pause and remember that what’s portrayed on screens and in decorations often points to deeper spiritual realities that Scripture talks about.

Throughout October—and most notably on Halloween—evil is often dramatized, celebrated, or made light of. Some people wonder if there are truly evil forces that influence or even possess those who seek to harm others, while others are simply glad that Hollywood turns such darkness into entertainment.

The challenge with the latter view is that Scripture shows us that evil is real. Jesus cast out demons, and we see the evidence of sin’s destruction in our world today—in violence, abuse, and hatred. Sadly, not all of it stays on the movie screen.

Those who do not know Christ can be vulnerable to the enemy’s deception, becoming blinded to what is right and wrong and stumbling through life without the light of truth. Just as Christ transforms lives to reflect His goodness, Satan works to distort hearts to reflect his darkness.

Proverbs 4:19 reminds us, “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” When people walk without God’s light, they can’t see what will cause them to trip or fall.

1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

And Ephesians 6:12 teaches that our real battle isn’t with people but with spiritual forces: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Jesus also had something to say about how dark we can be inside, “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23).

In contrast, God’s Word offers light for our path: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). God’s Word helps us to see where we’re going and protects us from stumbling off the path. When we don’t obey Him, it's like turning the flashlight off the path and moving forward in darkness.

Paul provides seven defensive weapons in Ephesians 6:10-18 to fight Satan and conquer:

1. Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
2. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
3. 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.
4. Stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
5. Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
6. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
7. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Be alert and always keep praying for God’s people.

• Standing firm means remaining steadfast and committed to God’s Word, resisting deception, and staying strong in faith—because through Christ, victory is already ours.
• The Belt of Truth protects us from lies and deceit. As we follow God and walk in honesty, we guard ourselves and those around us.
• The Breastplate of Righteousness guards our heart and soul from evil. We put it on when we strive to make godly choices and live righteously. Every temptation presents a choice: to fall for the lie or reject it. When we choose truth, the enemy’s weapon disintegrates.
• Shoes of the Gospel of Peace give us stability and readiness to share the good news, especially in times of chaos—whether in the world, our families, or our own hearts. When we reflect Christ’s peace, He demonstrates His power and love through us.
• The Shield of Faith protects us by deflecting the “fiery darts” of doubt, lies, persecution, and temptation Satan targets us with. When we apply specific biblical truths to our struggles, faith becomes our defense and extinguishes the enemy’s attacks.
• The Helmet of Salvation guards our mind from Satan bombarding us with lies, doubt, discouragement, and fear. As helmets are worn to protect our head and brain, our salvation through Christ gives us strength, power and wisdom to overcome Satan’s deceptions that destroy our mind. Christ helps us to stay strong in Him by protecting us from worldly influences. 
• The Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) is our offensive weapon. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12–13). Jesus modeled this when He resisted Satan’s temptations in the wilderness by quoting Scripture. To use the Sword of the Spirit in a spiritual attack, we must know it. We must be earnestly studying, memorizing and applying the Scripture in our lives. Proverbs 7:2–3 says, “Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” When God’s Word is etched in our hearts and minds, it becomes our ready defense against the enemy’s schemes.
• Finally, prayer is one of our greatest weapons. Prayer pulls the rug out from under Satan’s feet and strengthens our unity with fellow believers. As we pray for one another, we help fortify the body of Christ in the ongoing battle against evil.
  
  

And we can rest in this comforting truth: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)