Week 5
We do not hear much about demons and devils unless we are watching some sci-fi movie.
However, Paul warns us about the unseen battle that is taking place in the spiritual realm, and
what we can do to prepare ourselves for whenever that battle enters our world.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Notice how Paul does not tell us to pick up our sword and jump into the battle. His advice to us
is to prepare ourselves to stand. All we need to do is stand! Even so, there are times in our lives
that we do not have the strength to stand. Therefore, we cannot stand alone. Paul invites us to
daily put on the armor of God. Each piece of the armor has a specific purpose to protect us, so
that we can stand.
1) This first piece of armor is the belt of truth which protects our soft belly. Just as our stomach digests food to give us energy and strength, we need to be nourished by God’s Word – the belt of truth. Protection from the world’s attacks comes from knowing and living by God’s ways.
2) The breastplate of righteousness is the second piece of armor, which protects the vital organs of the heart and lungs. The righteousness that Paul is talking about here is not our own – it is God’s righteousness that protects us. God’s character and righteousness is developed in us as we intentionally focus on living with him each day.
3) The third piece of armor is the gospel of peace which protects our feet. Our feet need protected so that we can move about in the world without stumbling or falling down. Our witness to the world can be hindered or prevented altogether when we are not able to walk daily in the peace and protection of God.
4) The shield of faith is the fourth piece of armor that is needed. Temptations to do life our own way instead of God’s way bombard us all the time. We are only one flaming arrow away from being taken out and our lives destroyed. Faith to resist those temptations, and faith to return to God when we do not resist, is the only way that we can remain standing. Faith comes from seeking and following God each day. We take one step after another and allow God to pick us up when we have fallen.
5) The fifth and last piece of armor is perhaps the most important. All are needed and essential, but the helmet of salvation protects us for now and all eternity. Without our head being in the right place, there is no meaning, purpose, or real living. Recognizing our need for God is the first step in our life with God. It is a step that we must continue to take every day.
Come into the Father’s house to find love, strength and peace. Allow God to protect you as you enter into the world.
Time of Prayer:
1) 1 min – What is God saying to me through this devotional?
2) 1 min – What am I going to do about it?
3) 1 min – What do I want to say to God?
4) 2 min – Listen for what God wants to say to you now.
1) This first piece of armor is the belt of truth which protects our soft belly. Just as our stomach digests food to give us energy and strength, we need to be nourished by God’s Word – the belt of truth. Protection from the world’s attacks comes from knowing and living by God’s ways.
2) The breastplate of righteousness is the second piece of armor, which protects the vital organs of the heart and lungs. The righteousness that Paul is talking about here is not our own – it is God’s righteousness that protects us. God’s character and righteousness is developed in us as we intentionally focus on living with him each day.
3) The third piece of armor is the gospel of peace which protects our feet. Our feet need protected so that we can move about in the world without stumbling or falling down. Our witness to the world can be hindered or prevented altogether when we are not able to walk daily in the peace and protection of God.
4) The shield of faith is the fourth piece of armor that is needed. Temptations to do life our own way instead of God’s way bombard us all the time. We are only one flaming arrow away from being taken out and our lives destroyed. Faith to resist those temptations, and faith to return to God when we do not resist, is the only way that we can remain standing. Faith comes from seeking and following God each day. We take one step after another and allow God to pick us up when we have fallen.
5) The fifth and last piece of armor is perhaps the most important. All are needed and essential, but the helmet of salvation protects us for now and all eternity. Without our head being in the right place, there is no meaning, purpose, or real living. Recognizing our need for God is the first step in our life with God. It is a step that we must continue to take every day.
Come into the Father’s house to find love, strength and peace. Allow God to protect you as you enter into the world.
Time of Prayer:
1) 1 min – What is God saying to me through this devotional?
2) 1 min – What am I going to do about it?
3) 1 min – What do I want to say to God?
4) 2 min – Listen for what God wants to say to you now.