What War?

The devil has been warring against the church since the very beginning. His tactics are broad; he uses force and craftiness, and he engages both the people of this world and its institutions to conquer the saints. Meanwhile, the world rejoices in the splendor of its accomplishments, not realizing the reality of its state; that it is subjugated to terrible (and defeated) forces. The church should know better. It's called to stand firm in both endurance and faith, trusting in the finished work of Jesus, their champion, to bring ultimate victory. Here's the problem: the church can only stand firm against the devil if it recognizes that it's in a war in the first place.