Bible Reading: 1 Kings 9; Ephesians 6; Ezekiel 39; Psalm 90
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
We are engaged in a spiritual battle and we need spiritual armour and weapons to stand against the wiles of the enemy. This armour is the armour of God. It is not a man made armour or something that man has dreamed up. It is armour provided for us by God himself. Going into battle without armour is foolish.
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. Truth is that which girds the loins of the soldier. A belt that holds all the other pieces in place is the truth of God and his Word. Jesus said: John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Do you know the truth of the Word of God? Do you base all of your battle decisions on this truth? Including the most important truth that righteousness is a gift from God received by faith in Jesus Christ. The breastplate protects the heart with which you believe unto righteousness (Romans 10:10). The enemy wants to steal your heart so that you don’t believe God’s truth!
Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. A soldier’s feet must be protected. If he is crippled, the army is at a standstill. For the soldier of Jesus Christ we must be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Not only must be believe the gospel ourselves, but we must be prepared to share it with others. Do you know how to share the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. The shield of faith is the defense against the enemy’s arrows. Too many soldiers have been wounded by the fiery darts of Satan and have doubted the promises of God.
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The helmet of salvation protects the mind. Salvation for the believer is a present possession. We can KNOW that we are saved and the enemy will try to convince us otherwise.
The weapon that we must learn to wield is the sword of the Spirit – God’s Word. Are you proficient with it? Do you know how to handle the Bible? Do you practice with it? Do you fight with it? It is the offensive weapon of the Christian in the spiritual battle that we are engaged in. Put this armour on today and raise the shield of faith against the onslaught of the enemy.
In Christ,
Rody
