Ephesians 6:10-11

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Here we see God’s part and our part in spiritual warfare.

Many Christians believe that spiritual victory comes simply by surrendering more completely to God. They quote verses like

(2 Chronicles 20:15) to support their view: “The battle is not yours but God’s.” “Stop struggling and striving,” they say. “Instead, yield and completely surrender yourself to God. He alone does the fighting and gives the victory.”

Such people are often called “Quietists” because they view the Christian’s role in spiritual warfare as passive or quiet. Their anthem is “Let go and let God.”

But Scripture gives a very different view of the believer’s role. It pictures the Christian life as a war, a race, and a fight. We depend on God’s energy, power, and strength, but are by no means passive. We’re commanded to apply ourselves to good deeds, resist the devil, bring our bodies under subjection, walk in wisdom, press toward the prize, cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and perfect holiness in the fear of God. Those are calls to fervent action.

Yes, it must be God that does what ONLY God can do, BUT we are responsible to do what God empowers us to do.

In Ephesians 6:10-11 Paul says, “Be strong in the … strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God.” That’s the balance.

God supplies the resources; we must put on and use the resources that God gives us.