By the Light of Truth
B.L.T. Ministries
Fighting the Battle You Can’t See
The Christian life is a battle, but not against people—it’s against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Satan is real, cunning, and relentless, but God has given us armor and weapons to stand firm.
Your Armor
Belt of Truth – Know God’s Word; it steadies you.
Breastplate of Righteousness – Guard your heart through integrity.
Shield of Faith – Stop doubts and attacks before they take hold.
Helmet of Salvation – Protect your mind with assurance in Christ.
Sword of the Spirit – Use the Word of God as both defense and offense.
Engaging the Battle
Pray constantly – your connection to God is your command center.
Study Scripture – discern lies from truth.
Live in obedience – holiness is your frontline defense.
Stay in community – believers strengthen one another against attack.
Why It Matters
Victory is already won in Christ, but we must apply it daily. Every thought, choice, and action is a front in this invisible war. Take up your armor, sharpen your discernment, and stand firm—the battle is real, but so is the victory.
Spiritual Warfare
Upcoming Sunday School lesson
To get ahead of what's to come read the below.
The Bulls and the Fall of Bashan
Bashan is far more than a simple geographical reference—it's loaded with spiritual meaning. In the Old Testament, Bashan represented the very heart of darkness, the biblical equivalent of the "gates of hell." Ancient writings outside Scripture even referred to it as "the place of the serpent." It was closely tied to Mount Hermon, where the rebellious "sons of God" from Genesis 6 were believed to have descended.
When Scripture mentions Bashan, it invokes imagery of the demonic and the realm of death. That's why it's mentioned in Psalm 22—often seen as prophetic of Christ's crucifixion—is so significant. The "strong bulls of Bashan" surrounding the suffering Messiah symbolize demonic forces gathered against Him in His moment of agony.
The Cows of Bashan
In Amos 4:1–2, we read about the "cows of Bashan," referring to the women of Samaria who lived in luxury and idolatry, saying to their husbands, "Bring us something to drink!" Many scholars believe this was directed at the wealthy women who worshiped false gods in northern Israel. But the language may go deeper.
Amos could be confronting not only human idolaters but the very deities those idols represented. The crimes listed—oppressing the poor and crushing the needy—are the same accusations leveled against the corrupt elohim in Psalm 82. This reinforces the demonic undertone that runs through Bashan's identity.
By the time of Jesus, the region had long been seen as a stronghold of evil spiritual powers. So when Psalm 22 describes the "bulls of Bashan" surrounding the suffering Messiah, it paints a vivid picture: at the cross, the forces of darkness themselves encircled Him. Yet, in that moment of apparent defeat, Christ was claiming victory.
The Fall of Bashan
Bashan may have been known as the territory of the gods, but God Himself declared its end. Psalm 68:15–18 depicts Yahweh turning Bashan—the "mountain of gods"—into His own possession. The psalm begins with a striking contrast between Bashan and Sinai: one a symbol of rebellion, the other of God's holy presence.
Yahweh's response is a divine invasion. Surrounded by His heavenly armies, He descends like a warrior to reclaim what the enemy once claimed as his domain. The psalm concludes with triumph—God leads captives in His wake, demonstrating His total victory over the forces that once ruled Bashan.
A Kingdom Reclaimed
What was once known as the mountain of demons becomes a mountain of God. Through Christ, the powers of darkness that surrounded the cross were disarmed, and the stronghold of Bashan fell forever.
Bashan reminds us that no realm, no power, and no enemy stands beyond the reach of God's authority. Even in the place of the serpent, God plants His victory.