Stand Firm

The Whole Armor: Warriors of the Faith

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FROM THE WORD OF GOD: Ephesians 6:10-11

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

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THOUGHTS FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

Jesus is the mighty victor who has routed all of evil’s hosts, conquering death, the power of sin, and the devil himself. As Christians, it is that conquering power dwelling within us (Eph. 3:16, 2 Tim. 1:7), and that inward dwelling should bear heavily on our outward living.

Jesus’ prayer for us was to be in the world, amidst danger, but shielded and protected from its source (John 17: 15) living victorious over temptation. But too often we find ourselves buried in the same habitual sin, with real victory seemingly miles away.

The early Church faced the same issues, and just as the Apostle Paul wrote to them, so must we put on the whole armor of God. A soldier, when his enemy is near, doesn’t pick up his shield and leave his helmet on the shelf! He takes up his entire suit when he goes to battle. So must we as Christians be strong in the Lord as we don the entire suit available to us.

He has provided for us a defense against the schemes of the devil and temptation to sin, and has given us strength in our weakness, enabling us to live as warriors for the faith instead of casualties. It’s easy to intellectually hold that Christ’s power is greater than our temptation and struggle, but it’s another matter entirely too functionally live out that truth. Put feet to your faith then, as you gear up and put on the whole armor of God.

Study Ephesians 6, and dwell on the armor you often leave on the spiritual shelf.