“Nov 1, 2024 - Armor for the Battle”

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Armor for the Battle

Reading:  Ephesians 6:16-24
    
    Knowing that the devil has “schemes” to attack and destroy us, Paul urges Christians to prepare for the battle with equipment from God.  Some scholars suspect that Paul wrote this letter while chained to a Roman soldier (Eph 6:20), giving him a front-row view of the armor he describes.  “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace”(Eph 6:14-15).   Satan will attack us using lies, but God has given us “the belt of truth” to recognize and reject them.  Satan will attack us by challenging our moral purity, but God has given us new righteousness in which we now live (Eph 4:24).  Satan will attack us by catching us unawares, but God has given us “the readiness given by the gospel of peace” which prepares us for his schemes.

    Paul goes piece by piece, from “the shield of faith” to “the helmet of salvation” and “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”(Eph 6:16, 17).  This equipment stresses our connection to God, which Satan works to undermine.  Our faith and salvation protect us, reassuring us that God is real and that he will deliver us in time of need.  The sword is the only offensive weapon in the list; we use God’s word to fight back as we engage with Satan and his servants.  Paul wants us to keep “praying at all times in the Spirit”(Eph 6:18) through the battle, including praying for him to preach boldly (Eph 6:19).  

    There are two key thoughts here, but one is more important than the other.  First is that Satan’s attacks—using lies, temptation, surprise, and doubt—are the same tactics he has used from the beginning of time.  He is powerful, but not terribly inventive.  We can foresee how he might attack us.  The second is that God is greater than Satan.  He has given us all we need to win our daily and ultimate battles with Satan.  His armor, wisdom, and salvation will always bless us if we choose them.  He will have ultimate victory.  Will we?

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One Thing to Think About: Why do we often forget about God when we are tempted? 

One Thing to Pray For:  God’s help and protection against Satan’s schemes
 

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