“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.” Ephesians 6:12.

As born-again believers we study, consider, and strive to apply our spiritual weapons against Satan and his demonic forces daily. The apostle Paul admonishes us with these words:“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13.

In the meantime, the enemy has no problem with us preparing to fight if he can keep us blinded to his subtle strategic forces lying right in our sight. The object is that his weapons are hidden and often look totally harmless. “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.” Ephesians 6:12. We must recognize the real enemy!

The enemy’s subtle attacks remind me of a landmine- as a young child around five or six years old, my experience or knowledge of a landmine was impressed on mind when my eldest sister’s finance, PFC John Earl Powell, was killed in the Vietnam War. The heartwrenching discussion that I so vividly remember from my parents and His mom was that he stepped on a landmine.

In research I understand that there are various types of landmines. The one most utilized and effective in the Vietnam War was the M18 Claymore. It was called an anti-personnel mine and was meant to kill all those in proximity. There was also what was called the Toe Popper this mine was not meant to kill but to maim the soldier and bring others back to retrieve him. We can see how that could possibly be most effective in capturing prisoners of war.

Hidden weapons of warfare are just as real in our spiritual warfare. Satan uses various landmines in our lives to keep us from reaching our destination in the kingdom of God. He wants to kill or even maim us to destroy our witness. The Lord admonished the disciples with these words “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

Obstacles such as: fear, loneliness, anxiety, insecurity, envy, jealousy, pride, inferiority, heartache and compromise are only a few landmines hidden on our pathways in life. Therefore we must stay on guard, having a keen spiritual eye that can detect those subtle onslaughts of the enemy. But we need not fear….our help comes from the Lord…in His word we find all that we need to quench the fiery darts of the enemy! “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16.

When the chips seem to be down, and you can’t see your way through…remember these words from our Lord: “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18. We have the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord and there is absolutely nothing that Satan nor his demonic forces can do to separate us from the love of God! “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37.

My friends, beware, the enemy’s landmines are set, and he will attack at any time; but praise God… we possess the power to win the battle; our Comforter, the Holy Ghost, suits us up with all the spiritual armor that we need. “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 2 Corinthians 10:4.

Stay vigilant and focused…this battle belongs to the Lord- and God wins everytime, through Him we have the victory! “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4.

God blessings of peace and protection be with you all!