"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11)
In our reading today, the Apostle Paul shows that the Christian faces spiritual forces - rulers, authorities, and powers of darkness and wickedness (vv.12-13). These spiritual forces (not of flesh and blood), are directed by an even greater power, Satan himself - intended to further his schemes. With enemies like this, only spiritual defenses will do.
Fortunately, God in His grace has provided us with a complete suit of armor that can enable us to stand against these powers of evil; the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit (vv.14-17).
Although we may seem to lose an occasional skirmish, the fact that God has already provided us with salvation guarantees that we will ultimately win the war. Satan can oppose us but he will never be able to defeat us. And though we may lose an occasional skirmish, God has already provided us with salvation which guarantees that we will ultimately win the war. Satan can oppose us, but he will never be able to defeat us.
Therefore, armor up every day in His Word and serve God and Christ as faithful soldiers in this battle, and you will become conquerors over the dark forces of evil.
The Truth
“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)
In our reading today, the Apostle Paul shows that the Christian faces spiritual forces - rulers, authorities, and powers of darkness and wickedness (vv.12-13). These spiritual forces (not of flesh and blood), are directed by an even greater power, Satan himself - intended to further his schemes. With enemies like this, only spiritual defenses will do.
Fortunately, God in His grace has provided us with a complete suit of armor that can enable us to stand against these powers of evil; the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit (vv.14-17).
Although we may seem to lose an occasional skirmish, the fact that God has already provided us with salvation guarantees that we will ultimately win the war. Satan can oppose us but he will never be able to defeat us. And though we may lose an occasional skirmish, God has already provided us with salvation which guarantees that we will ultimately win the war. Satan can oppose us, but he will never be able to defeat us.
Therefore, armor up every day in His Word and serve God and Christ as faithful soldiers in this battle, and you will become conquerors over the dark forces of evil.
The Truth
“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)
