Based on the sermon prepared and preached by Jeff Jantzi, March 16, 2025
In our most recent teaching series, “Deliver Us From Evil,” we’ve been exploring the words Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:13: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” or as some translations put it, “Deliver us from the Evil One.” This series is rooted in the reality of spiritual warfare—a battle that is not just physical or human but spiritual in nature.
The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in Ephesians 6:11-12, urging us to “Put on all of God’s armor… so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” He continues, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
Spiritual warfare is not an abstract concept—it is a reality that touches every area of our lives and whether we recognize it or not, there is no neutral ground. We are either aligned with the Kingdom of Light or the Kingdom of Darkness. The question is, how do we stand firm against the enemy’s tactics? And how can we experience the deliverance Jesus taught us to pray for?
The Three-Legged Stool: Allegiance, Truth, and Power
When it comes to spiritual warfare, three essential principles help us stand firm: Allegiance, Truth, and Power. These three principles are the legs of a three-legged stool, if the stool represents freedom in Christ and victory over the enemy. Each leg is essential to maintaining balance, without all three, we lose our footing against the Kingdom of Darkness.
- Allegiance – Loyalty to King Jesus and His Kingdom.
- Truth – The unshakable foundation of God’s Word, which points us to Jesus—the truth in the flesh.
- Power – The power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within all believers and empowers us to overcome the enemy.
In future posts, we will explore Truth and Power, but here we will focus on Allegiance—the foundation that determines which kingdom we belong to and whose authority we live under.
Why Allegiance Matters
Everyone is allegiant to someone. There is no neutral ground and there is no opting out—you either belong to the Kingdom of Light or the Kingdom of Darkness. Colossians 1:13-14 says, “For he (God) has rescued us (who are in Christ) from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”
Before Jesus, we all belonged to the devil’s kingdom. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, ownership changes hands when we surrender to Him. We are transferred to the Kingdom of Light, where Jesus reigns as King, and we are adopted as children of God. Our allegiance determines whose authority shapes our lives.
If our allegiance is not fully given to Jesus, we leave room for the enemy to establish a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27 warns us, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” The Greek word for foothold is topos, meaning “a place which a person or thing occupies.” So while a Christian cannot be possessed by a demon—because we belong to God—it is possible to give the enemy access to areas of our lives. Positionally, you belong to God—the ownership of your soul has transferred from the Kingdom of Darkness to the Kingdom of Light—but if you still behave in ways that give the enemy room to operate in your life through sinful actions, attitudes, or unrepentant sin, you operate and contribute to the kingdom of darkness. It’s like inviting the enemy to occupy a room in a house that belongs to God.
Paul’s message is clear: Be careful. Pay attention to how you live, because your actions either align you with Jesus or open a door to the enemy. Jesus Himself warns us in John 10:10 that the enemy’s purpose is clear: “to steal, kill, and destroy.” But he came so that we may have “life and have it abundantly.”
Prayer as Spiritual Warfare
Prayer is not just a religious practice then—it is an act of spiritual warfare. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.” This means that many who reject God are not our enemies—they are victims of spiritual blindness, held captive by the enemy’s lies. Our prayers have the power to break these strongholds and release the truth of Jesus.
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world.” Our battle is not against other people—it is against the spiritual forces influencing them. This truth changes how we respond to those who oppose us. They are not enemies but captives in need of rescue.
When we pray, we align with God’s heart, asking Him to open blinded minds and break the enemy’s grip. Prayer is not passive—it is a declaration of war against the enemy’s schemes. Through prayer, we claim God’s promises, rebuke the enemy’s lies, and invite the Holy Spirit to work in unseen ways.
We must also guard our own lives through prayer. Just as the enemy blinds unbelievers, he seeks to disrupt those who follow Jesus. Intentional prayer protects our hearts, strengthens our allegiance to Christ, and grounds us in truth.
So, as you pray for yourself and others, remember: you are engaging in a battle beyond the physical realm. Your prayers have power—not because of your words but because of the authority of Jesus working through you.
A Call to Choose Life
In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, God offers a choice between life and death, blessings and curses. The invitation is clear: choose life by loving and obeying God. This choice is not just about salvation—it’s about the daily decisions that shape our allegiance.
So, who is your king? Where do your allegiances truly lie? Are you living as though you belong to Jesus, or are you giving the enemy a foothold in your life?
Victory in spiritual warfare is not about our own strength—it’s about the finished work of Jesus on the cross. But how we live matters. Our choices, actions, and spiritual practices either align us with the Kingdom of Light or open doors to the Kingdom of Darkness.
Choose life. Choose Jesus. In the battle between light and darkness, there is no neutral ground—and true freedom comes from knowing your King.
