| “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:13 |
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| Dressing for Spiritual Success As believers, we should know there is spiritual warfare going on around us all the time, and many times we are the prime target of the evil one. As Paul wraps up his letter to the Ephesians, he tells them (Eph. 6:10-12) to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Let us make no mistake here about the battle and the enemy we face. We have a ferocious ENEMY seeking to devour us (cf. I Peter 5:8). Yet we must know that God has supplied the believer with various pieces of EQUIPMENT called the Armor of God to handle whatever the enemy may bring. Thus, it is vitally important to be EDUCATED about what each piece of the armor of God is and know what each one does. (**Can you name them and give a short description?) Getting properly educated on each piece EQUIPS us for encounters with the ENEMY. Practically, to withstand the onslaught of the enemy and STAND, the believer needs to start each new day dressing for spiritual warfare, yes, dressing for spiritual success. As you start your day visualize the different pieces of the armor of God being put on. You will have your waist girded with the belt of truth. You will have your chest covered with the breastplate of righteousness. You will have on your feet shoes representing the preparation of the gospel of peace. Eph. 6:16 says, above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; Getting personal: Do you recognize the reality of daily spiritual warfare in your personal life? Do you know how much the enemy wants to steal from you, destroy you, and devour you? Are you equipping yourself with God’s supernatural equipment for encounters with the enemy? Verse to DATE the Word on June 13 (6/13) is Ephesians 6:13. It says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Don’t give your enemy the edge by failing to properly prepare for his attacks. Get equipped with God’s equipment and educated on each piece of the equipment to handle any encounter with your enemy. Continue Strong, dressed for spiritual success, And remember to DATE the Word |