“Build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means
of His mighty power. Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will
be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. . . Put on God's armor now! Then when the
evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after
fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground. (Ephesians 6:10-13)
The armor of God is necessary every day, not just when we
recognize a spiritual battle is imminent. We need to build up strength; it
doesn’t happen overnight or without effort. Just like physical strength is
gained gradually and requires work, so does spiritual strength.
We are instructed to arm ourselves today for the battle that
may not come for weeks or even years from now—but it WILL come. We are to be preparing TODAY—improving, learning, pushing ourselves a bit farther than
the day before—so that we are ready for future challenges.
How do we prepare? How do we arm ourselves? Ephesians 6 goes
on to explain:
“So, stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your
waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness
to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for
with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil
One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which
the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on
every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason, keep alert and never give
up; pray always for all God's people.” (vs. 14-18)
- Are we speaking truth at all times? Or do we give in to Satan’s whispers that it’s okay to tell “little white lies”?
- Do we do those things we know are right in God’s eyes? Or do we allow pressure from the world to convince us we need to compromise?
- Are we sharing God’s good news with friends and family? Or have we bought into the half-truth propagated by the Devil that people need only see a sermon, not hear one?
- Is faith in God our shield against evil and despair? Or have we given in to hopelessness?
- Have we accepted God’s gift of salvation or are we putting it off till “someday”?
- Are we daily reading God’s Word or have we set aside that essential piece of armor, filling our minds instead with the world’s words via every other form of media?
- Do we pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads or do we worry and whine instead?
In all honesty, I have been guilty of walking out of the
house without my spiritual armor, naked and unprotected from the onslaught of Satan
and the world. Will you join me in putting on every piece of armor God provides,
ready to face whatever lies ahead?
Be encouraged!
©2018 Pamela D. Williams
