Spiritual Warfare and the Call to Be a Watchman C.S. Lewis “Enemy-occupied territory—that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.” 1. The Reality of 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) •The enemy operates in deception, distraction, and destruction, seeking to blind and devour those who are not prepared. 2. The Watchman’s Role – A Call to Vigilance •“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” (Ezekiel 3:17) •A watchman was responsible for sounding the alarm when danger approached. Spiritually, this means standing firm in truth, warning others of deception, and interceding in prayer. 3. The Enemy is Active – Stay Alert •“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) •Just as a watchman stands on the city wall scanning for danger, believers must stay spiritually awake, recognizing the battle around them and guarding against deception. 4. The Armor of God – The Watchman’s Protection •“Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13) •A watchman must be equipped for battle, using: •The belt of truth to recognize deception. •The breastplate of righteousness to walk in holiness. •The shield of faith to block the enemy’s attacks. •The sword of the Spirit to fight with the Word of God. 5. The Watchman Warns Others •“If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.” (Ezekiel 33:6) •Part of spiritual warfare is speaking truth—not remaining silent when deception is spreading. A true watchman does not just protect himself but also warns and equips others. 6. The Victory Belongs to the Lord •“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) •“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” (Colossians 2:15) •Though the battle rages, the victory is already secured in Messiah. As watchmen, we stand firm, knowing that Christ reigns victorious. A Watchman’s Call to Action •Stay alert in prayer. •Put on the armor of God. •Speak truth boldly. •Warn others of deception. •Stand firm in faith.