SUNDAY August 4, 2024
Stand Battle Ready!
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:14-16
As Paul closed this incredible epistle, he left the Ephesian believers with a good understanding of the constant spiritual battle they were engaged in––a battle that would endure for the rest of their lives.
As a prisoner in Rome under house arrest, Paul saw Roman centurions dressed in their full armor with weapons––shields, spears and swords. He masterfully related a soldiers pieces of armor to a Christian’s armor for spiritual warfare. Believers need the right pieces of armor to protect themselves in battle. The armor of God will help them to be victorious.
Satan and his demons scheme against all Christians. He targets those who are committed to teach God’s Word and those who travail in prayer. While they sleep, he plans against them, but God gives His children the wisdom and knowledge to detect his attacks.
Know this: Christians can never be possessed by demons, but they can be oppress by them. Remember, Satan is a defeated foe. Jesus won the battle against him on the Cross. Believers must rely upon the Holy Spirit’s power to defeat him (Acts 1:8). They can fight this battle with confidence.
Sadly, those without Christ remain unaware of this fierce, unseen, spiritual battle. Dr. McGee said, “Those who are not in Christ are so entrapped by the darkness that Satan does not really have to worry about them. They are so occupied with their sin, they are destroying themselves. Satan sees them as easy prey.”
In battle, the believer is told to stand. Are you battle ready by having taken up the whole armor of God?
I’d rather stand with God and have the world my enemy, than to go along with the crowd to destruction.
~A.W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
