A Soldier of God

We are approaching the end of the epistle to the Ephesians. After discussing the relationship between masters and slaves, Paul suddenly changed gear and talked about a totally different realm of existence. Modern sci-fi movies, like the Transformers, best capture the feeling --- an ordinary-looking family vehicle suddenly transforms itself into a high-tech warrior robot to defend the world. This is exactly the feeling one gets when he reads chapter 6 of the Ephesians.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-12).
We are believers. Though we have faith to believe in God, in spiritual beings such as angels, demons etc., it is difficult for us to feel, to see these spiritual beings. Modern men have emerged from Enlightenment which deprived most people of the grace to walk with God. They are handed "the scientific way of thinking" instead. An essential part of scientific thinking is verification through carefully controlled experiments. Scientists, the high priest of this new religion, have place a limit on what is admissible as "scientific evidence" and what is not. Basically, things which cannot be measured by instruments are not admissible. So far, these instruments fail to measure God, angels and demons. Though scientists still cannot rule out their existence, they do not need this hypothesis (divine intervention to sustain the stability of the solar system), to quote the famous mathematician Laplace. Modern men have been fed spiritually-depleted-scientific-milk from infancy. Most of them have already been blind and deaf spiritually. How then can we expect these blind soldiers to fight against a legion of evil spirits which they are unable to perceive? At this moment, I sounded very pessimistic.
Let's look at these spiritual enemies. The Church teaches that there are nine classes of angels. The lowest are angels and archangels. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Satan belong to the class of archangels. Above them, there are θρόνοι (thrones), κυριότητες (dominions) δυνάμεως (power, found in Ephesians 1:21) ἀρχαὶ (rules/principalities), ἐξουσίαι (authority)· (Colossians 1:16).
Paul only listed the names of five middle-classes. He did not explain what they do. So, above the Thrones, there remains Cherubim and Seraphim. Now, we have 9 classes of angels. That is not very important. Paul said that we are going to fight against the principality and power classes of angels. How are we going to fight this spiritual battle?
Luckily, we humans have a trump card --- Jesus Christ, the Son of God on our side. Therefore, the fate of these evil angels is sealed. That was why Paul was so confident when he wrote this.
Let's look at our equipment.
Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace;
besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17).
Truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the word of God are the full armour of a soldier of God. To aid memorization, Paul painted a vivid image of a soldier armed with the following equipment:

1. the belt of truth,
2. the breastplate of righteousness,
3. the shoes of gospel,
4. the shield of faith,
5. the helmet of salvation and
6. the sword of the Spirit.

Are they enough to fight against the principalities and authorities which are way higher than Satan? I don't think I need to worry. Just look at David and Goliath. With God on his side, David easily defeated Goliath. Therefore, we have reasons to be optimistic in winning this battle.

My dear Lord, I believe in You. Be merciful and support Your servants to fight this spiritual battle. Many of us are not even aware of this battle. Pray that they are able to wake up before it is too late. Amen.