Holy Week is here. The week that leads to our Lord’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection, is the holiest of weeks for a believer. The relentless suffering of Christ for our sins, and his death on the cross is a reminder of an immense sacrifice of love. During this week, we attend Maundy Thursday service, Good Friday prayers, Saturday of Lights and the Feast of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

This week is a week of fasting and mourning, a week that should be filled with prayers, hymns, bible readings, and contemplation on the gravity of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is also a week where those who serve will spend more time and energy preparing for the celebration of the resurrection which we believers await full of hope.

It is a week of heightened spirituality, and a week of an entire congregation’s effort to lift up Jesus’ name. And when spirituality runs high, it is only a matter of time before satan wants to start a fight.

Spiritual battles can be expected at any time, but the closer we get to God, the more frequent or more severe they might become. During Holy Week tensions run high, and the likelihood of slipping into anger, discouragement, irritability or simple exhaustion is very high. Satan will do anything to take away from us the joy that is Christ, and the gift that is the resurrection.

This is where we have to fight. Fight every day of our lives, but especially during periods of heightened spirituality such as Holy Week.

Saint Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God, so that we may be able to stand up against the devils’ schemes. Ephesians 6:11.

Saint James tells us to resist the devil so that he flees from us. James 4:7.

Saint Luke tells us that God has given us authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Luke 10:19.

Saint Peter tells us to be sober-minded and watchful because the devil is like a roaring lion waiting to devour us. 1 Peter 5:8.

Let us therefore put on that armor and ask for wisdom and strength to fight spiritual battles, and win them. So that we may control our emotions and outburst and not let the evil enemy cause us to trip and fall into sin during the blessed days of Holy Week, and beyond.