“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 (ESV)
Many believers, especially new ones, find themselves in a cycle that feels impossible to escape — sin, guilt, repentance, and then more guilt. They hear sermons about repentance and podcasts about holiness, but they quietly wonder, “When do the good things start to happen? When does this walk with Jesus start to feel like peace and joy?”
The truth is: the good things have already begun. But to see them clearly, we need to understand that the Christian life is both a relationship and a battle — a daily experience of repentance, renewal, and hope lived out in the middle of spiritual warfare.
Repentance Opens the Door, But Hope Leads the Way
When Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17), He wasn’t offering a one-time command. He was inviting us into a whole new way of life — turning away from sin and walking toward the Kingdom.
Repentance is how we enter God’s family. But once inside, the focus shifts from escaping sin to embracing life. Too many believers stop at the doorway, constantly sweeping out the same dust, afraid of getting dirty again. But repentance was never meant to trap us in sorrow — it was meant to free us to live in joy.
That’s where walking in hope begins. Hope lifts our eyes from what we’ve done wrong to what Jesus has already made right.
When you repented, you didn’t just turn from sin — you turned toward a Savior. That’s the starting point of freedom.
The Battle Behind the Struggle
Why do so many Christians still feel defeated even after being forgiven? Because they don’t realize they’re in a war.
The moment you surrendered to Christ, you changed sides. You went from being a passive bystander in the world’s spiritual darkness to being a soldier in God’s Kingdom. And the enemy — who once left you alone — now sees you as a threat.
This is what spiritual warfare really looks like. It’s not only dramatic demonic attacks or visible oppression; it’s often quiet, internal battles in your thoughts, emotions, and identity. The devil doesn’t need to destroy you — he only needs to make you doubt what God has already said.
He whispers:
- “You’re not really forgiven.”
- “You’ll never change.”
- “God must be tired of you.”
Those lies feel personal, but they’re part of a larger war — one that Christ has already won. That’s why the Bible says, “Take up the whole armor of God… and having done all, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13).
When you stand on truth, you are resisting the enemy. Every time you reject guilt and believe God’s promises, you are fighting back.
Repentance Is a Weapon, Not a Whip
It’s easy to think repentance is punishment — that every time we fail, we have to crawl back to God in shame. But repentance was never meant to be a whip for the guilty. It’s a weapon for the forgiven.
Repentance keeps your heart soft and your connection to God clear. It’s a spiritual reset — not because God needs convincing, but because we do.
Every time you turn to God and confess, you’re agreeing with His truth instead of the enemy’s lie. That’s what it means to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
So don’t fear repentance. Use it. It’s how we re-center our lives on the hope of the cross.
When repentance and hope work together, the Christian life stops feeling like failure and starts feeling like freedom.
The Mind Is the Real Battlefield
Spiritual warfare doesn’t start in your circumstances — it starts in your mind. The devil attacks your thoughts because your thoughts shape your faith.
Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Renewal means learning to think differently — to align your mind with God’s truth instead of fear, shame, or despair.
When you wake up and feel defeated before you even start your day, remember: that’s not the Holy Spirit condemning you. That’s the enemy trying to keep you from walking in what Jesus has already given you — peace, joy, and strength.
You fight back not with effort, but with truth. You speak Scripture. You worship when it’s hard. You thank God when you feel empty. These aren’t rituals — they’re acts of resistance.
The Good Things Are Already Here
Many believers keep waiting for the “good things” to start happening — for life to finally feel peaceful and steady. But God’s goodness isn’t something we wait for; it’s something we learn to see.
The fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — are already growing inside you (Galatians 5:22–23). Sometimes you don’t notice them right away because God’s work is often quiet, like seeds taking root underground.
If you’ve been struggling, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re growing in a war zone. Keep walking in hope. The battle may be fierce, but every victory — no matter how small — shows that Christ is alive in you.
Living as Victors, Not Victims
Jesus didn’t save us so we could live in constant fear of falling. He saved us so we could stand firm in His strength.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
That’s not just comfort — that’s a command to live with confidence. The victory has already been won. Our role is to stand in it, day by day.
When the enemy tries to remind you of who you were, remind him of who you are now — forgiven, chosen, redeemed, and equipped.
Repentance will always be part of our walk, but it’s not the point of the walk. The point is Jesus — and the life He gives to those who believe.
So yes, we repent. But then we rise. We worship. We serve. We walk in hope. And as we do, we discover that every moment of struggle is an opportunity to live in victory.
In Summary
Repentance begins the journey, but spiritual warfare defines the landscape. The Christian life is not about constant defeat or guilt; it’s about learning to stand firm, armored in truth, and walking in hope through every trial.
The good things — peace, joy, confidence, and strength — aren’t waiting at the end of your walk. They’re growing in you right now, as you choose to keep walking with Jesus through every battle.
Take a few quiet minutes to sit with this question:
Am I living from guilt or from grace?
Let that question rest in your heart before God.
If guilt speaks louder than grace, remember this: Jesus already carried every weight you’re still trying to lift.
Think about where you’ve seen His hand this week — in a moment of strength you didn’t expect, a word of encouragement, a quiet peace that appeared when you prayed. Those are signs of spiritual warfare being won in your life.
You don’t have to chase God’s favor — you already have it.
Now, go forward walking in hope, armed with His truth and anchored in His victory.
Spread the Gospel; lives depend on it!
I pray, MARANATHA! (Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!)
Your brother in Christ,
Duane
Read all of our Principles for Christian Living in the Last Days
Read the Bible Online – We recommend:
The ESV (English Standard Version) for reading
The NASB (New American Standard Bible) for in-depth study
No responses yet