Last week, my daughter shared a powerful song “Take It Back,” by Tauren Wells with me. In his song he talks about reclaiming what the enemy has stolen from us as Christians. It’s a rallying cry to stand up, take back what’s rightfully ours, and refuse to let the enemy have the final say in our lives. But what does this mean for us as believers? How does the enemy steal from us, and what does Scripture say about our ability to reclaim what has been taken?

The Bible is clear that the enemy, Satan, is a thief and a liar. John 10:10 (NIV) says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The enemy’s sole purpose is to rob us of the joy, peace, love, and purpose that God has given us. But here’s the truth: while the enemy may try to steal from us, he doesn’t own anything. Everything we have is a gift from God, and it belongs to us by His grace. Just because the enemy has taken something doesn’t mean it’s lost forever. We have the authority in Christ to take it back.

Have you ever felt like something is missing in your life? Maybe you don’t feel the joy of the Lord like you used to. Perhaps you’ve lost your desire to read the Bible, your love for your spouse has grown cold, or you’ve stopped going to church. You might be wondering, “Where did it all go? How did I get here?”

The truth is, the enemy is crafty. Sometimes, he comes in like a thief in the night, stealing one thing at a time until we wake up one day and realize that everything is gone. Other times, we might have willingly handed over what God gave us. Maybe through sin, doubt, or neglect, we boxed up our joy, our peace, our passion, and met Satan at the door, handing it all over to him.

But regardless of how it happened, those things still belong to you. They have your name written on them because your Heavenly Father gave them to you. And it’s time to take them back.

Taking back what the enemy has stolen isn’t just about getting mad or feeling determined; it’s about preparing for spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV) tells us to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the devil’s schemes:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

This armor isn’t just a metaphor; it represents the spiritual tools God has given us to stand firm against the enemy. Each piece of armor has a purpose:

• Belt of Truth: The truth of God’s Word keeps us grounded and ready to stand against the lies of the enemy.-
• Breastplate of Righteousness: Living a righteous life protects our hearts from the enemy’s attacks.-
• Gospel of Peace: Being ready to share the gospel and living in the peace of Christ keeps us steady on our feet, even when the enemy tries to knock us down.
• Shield of Faith: Our faith in God deflects the fiery arrows of doubt, fear, and temptation.
• Helmet of Salvation: Knowing we are saved protects our minds from the enemy’s attempts to make us doubt our identity in Christ.
• Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God is our weapon against the enemy, cutting through his lies and deception.

It’s time to stop sitting around feeling empty and defeated. It’s time to get up, get mad, and go get your stuff. The enemy may have stolen your joy, your peace, your passion, or your relationships, but you don’t have to let him keep them. Stand firm in the truth of God’s Word, put on your armor, and take back what’s yours.

Warn your Christian family, friends, and coworkers that the enemy is a thief and a liar. He is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8, NIV). But we can be vigilant and alert. We can stand together as a Christian community, watching out for one another, praying for one another, and supporting one another in this spiritual battle.

The devil’s entire purpose is to steal from us, deceive us, and ultimately separate us from God. But remember, he doesn’t have the final say. Our God is our protector and our shield. Psalm 18:2 (NIV) says, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

God is watching over His children day and night, and He is ready to help us reclaim what the enemy has stolen. But we have to be willing to take a stand, to put on our armor, and to fight back.

So put on the armor of God, stand firm in your faith, and take back what’s rightfully yours. And don’t stop there—keep your armor on every day, staying vigilant and ready for when the enemy tries to come back.

As a Christian family and community, we need to let the enemy know that we are vigilant and alert. We know he is coming for us, but we will be ready. We won’t let him steal from us again. Instead, we will stand firm in the Lord, take back what’s ours, and continue to live in the joy, peace, and purpose that God has given us.

So today, ask yourself: What has the enemy stolen from me? What do I need to take back? And then, with the strength and power of God, go get your stuff. Don’t let the enemy have the final say. With God on your side, you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37, NIV). Take it back, and live in the fullness of what God has given you.