Spiritual Warfare: The Battle for Your Family

There is a very real spiritual battle happening in the unseen world - a battle between good and evil, angels and demons, heaven and hell, God Himself and the deceiver Satan. This battle directly impacts our families and relationships in ways we often don't recognize.

Why Family and Spiritual Warfare Are Connected

In Ephesians, Paul integrates a powerful passage about spiritual warfare directly after significant teachings on family and relationships. This is no coincidence. Raising a healthy, whole, and God-honoring family is itself a brutal fight in spiritual warfare. Setting the trajectory of generational legacy for years to come is spiritual warfare.

The connection between family dynamics, generational patterns, and relational systems in Ephesians 5 and early part of chapter 6 directly ties to the detailed framework of spiritual warfare presented in Ephesians 6:10-18.

What Does Ephesians 6 Teach Us About Spiritual Warfare?

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11)

Three key insights from these verses:

1. We cannot do this on our own. You cannot raise a healthy God-honoring family without prayer and God's spiritual strength.

2. God has provided tools for you - spiritual armor that enables you to fight this fight.

3. There is an enemy, sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always present.
   

Who Is the Real Enemy in Spiritual Warfare?

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)

People are not the enemy. Principalities are the enemy.

This is crucial to understand. The battle you fight is not against your spouse. Parents, the battle is not against your teenager. We must know who the real enemy is.

While there is a very real battle of angels and demons, of good and evil, we need balance. Some issues require spiritual deliverance, while others simply require structured discipline. Not everything needs to be spiritualized - sometimes we just need to learn healthy communication with our spouse.

What Are the Pieces of God's Armor for Spiritual Battle?

The Belt of Truth

"Therefore, take up the whole armor of God... having fastened on the belt of truth..." (Ephesians 6:13-14)

The Roman soldier's belt was large and heavy, designed to keep the soldier intact. Truth is what holds you together as one piece. The enemy wants to use deception to create fragmented individuals - saying one thing, doing another, believing something else. God's truth, both believing and behaving according to it, keeps you whole and gives integrity to your entire person.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

"...and having put on the breastplate of righteousness." (Ephesians 6:14)

The breastplate protected the lungs and heart - the life source. While righteousness doesn't save us (we're saved by grace through faith), it is a critical aspect of the Christian walk. We've become so afraid of legalism that we're afraid to talk about holiness. But righteousness and holiness protect you from the enemy's fiery arrows.

When we choose love-based holiness, honoring God because we love Him, we position ourselves in proximity to God who can then fight for us.

The Shoes of Peace

"...and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:15)

If a soldier's foot was injured, mobility was inhibited. Peace is a protective force in the unseen world. It doesn't cripple you but protects you and enables you to move forward. Chaos and anxiety within battle are what cripple you.

Imagine a home that navigates conflict and hard conversations with peace rather than fear and anxiety. Peace keeps you moving forward in battle.

The Shield of Faith

"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one." (Ephesians 6:16)

The shield isn't stationary but can move to wherever the attack is coming from. Faith is the ultimate defense against the fiery darts of the evil one. In a family setting, faith is the first line of defense - believing what God says, that God is able to do what He says, and that God will do what He says.

The Helmet of Salvation

"And take the helmet of salvation..." (Ephesians 6:17)

The helmet protected the control center - the mind. Without the salvation experience and transforming work of Christ, there is no chance of functioning as a truly healthy God-honoring family. We must protect our minds because the enemy will use our thoughts against us.

The helmet was also an identifier of which army you belonged to. The transforming work of Christ marks you in this battle.

The Sword of the Spirit

"...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17)

The sword is the tool of offense. If God's Word is not integrated into your life, you're missing a crucial component in this battle. When you fill yourself with God's Word, you're giving the Holy Spirit His favorite weapon of choice. You cannot separate God's Word from God's Spirit.

How Do We Engage in This Battle?

"Praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18)

This describes deep, constant, fervent prayer - praying in your heavenly language, praying in the Spirit. Stay awake, stay alert, and fight this spiritual battle with and for your fellow brothers and sister soldiers.

There are moments in your relationships and family where the only way for breakthrough is taking the spiritual authority God has given you. When something comes up in your family that you know isn't right, you must get serious and say, "I am not going to let this fly." Then pray and fast about it, seeking God's Word and His guidance.

Life Application

You have a spiritual authority within your family if you follow Jesus. It's time to get enlisted in this battle. This isn't about fighting people - we fight what's going on in the unseen.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What family member is God calling me to battle for in prayer?

2. Is there an area in my family where I need to "put on" a specific piece of spiritual armor?

3. Am I trying to fight family battles in my own strength instead of God's?

4. Have I been passive about spiritual warfare, or am I ready to take my position as a soldier?

This week, identify one specific area in your family that needs spiritual breakthrough. Commit to daily prayer for this situation, putting on the full armor of God. Remember that you're not fighting against people but against spiritual forces. Fast for a meal or a day if you feel led, and watch how God moves when you engage in spiritual warfare with His authority and power.

The name of Jesus is the most powerful weapon we have. When we pray in His name, nothing can stand against it.