constant threat of attack. Each day they must prepare for
battle. Each day they must make sure they are properly dressed to
face the enemy.
In a very real sense, we are ALL at war! Every child of God faces an
enemy who is determined to engage us in battle each and every
day. These battles will not look the same as those we see reported
or those we see with our own eyes; "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" (Ephesians 6:12). But the
enemy we face is just as real and the attacks are just as
damaging. Many of us feel defenseless against such attacks - we feel
defeated with no hope of victory - but Paul tells us how to get
properly dressed and stand through the battles.
Ephesians 6:14-17
"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."
Yes, the attacks are going to come. But we cannot wait for the
battle to begin before getting dressed and putting on our
equipment. Each day (without fail!) - before the enemy has an
opportunity to attack - we must "put on the full armor of God"
(Ephesians 6:13).
The belt of truth protects us from the enemy's deceptive lies which
pull us down the path of worldly priorities and temptation. The
breastplate of righteousness protects our heart from feeling unworthy
- we are made completely worthy through faith in Jesus (Romans
3:22). The gospel of peace on our feet prepares us to share the good
news of Jesus and "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew
28:19). This is our mission as we go into the world.
We hold up the shield of faith - which is "of greater worth than
gold" (1 Peter 1:7) - to remind us of God's faithfulness in previous
battles and protect us from the constant arrows of fear. The helmet
of Salvation protects our mind from debilitating doubts - "so that we
may know we have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). Finally, we pick up
the sword of the Spirit - the Word of God - and directly engage the
enemy when necessary.
The enemy is determined to steal our joy and cause us to be
ineffective soldiers for God. Let's ruin his plan! Let's defeat the
enemy before the attacks even begin by starting each and every day
with getting fully dressed for battle.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
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