EPHESIANS 6:10-18 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”
THEME OF THE DAY: SEEING LIFE AS IT REALLY IS. The Bible describes and characterizes the Christian life in many ways and words. It is a race to run, a course to complete, and a battle to fight. It contains indescribable joy, amazing love, and overflowing peace which passes human understanding. And it has the “other” side too. There is sorrow, suffering, pain, and grievous trials often so intense we wonder if we will make it through them.
In all the descriptions and characteristics God’s Word provides telling us what it means to walk with Him in this world, the most important one is that of a battle, or war. This great spiritual conflict began in the Garden of Eden and will know no cease-fire or end of hostilities until Jesus returns or we go to be with Him by way of death. That statement is crucial to each of us. It determines everything in our Christian life. It shapes our daily roles in our homes and communities. And it demands we confront ourselves with this question – “Are we daily seeing life as it truly is – one of intense and constant spiritual conflict?” We must start here. If we don’t see all of life in the context of the spiritual realm, two things are occurring.
First, we are spiritually defeated. This life is all about preparing for the next life and that means fighting successful warfare, but should we not think of this life primarily in the spiritual realm, the daily battle is already lost. Always we remember, we parent in the arena of spiritual warfare for the souls of our children. Our marriages are lived out confronted by the devil to divert us from marriage’s primary purposes; to model Christ and His church and to promote holiness in the relationship. And this conflict carries over in our vocations. Our work is performed on the battleground of the world always seeking to destroy our testimony for Christ through its deceptive allurements and lusts. Unless we live each day with our hearts and minds aware we are in enemy territory under constant enemy attack, we are causalities in the war God has called us.
Another thing is happening if we don’t see life, and live life in the realm of the spiritual. We won’t obey today’s scripture of putting on the full armor of God. Does it not make sense? Why would we consciously put on the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the Gospel of peace, take up the shield of faith, guard our minds with the helmet of salvation, and ensure we carry the sharp sword of the Spirit if we see no need? Should our attention, affection, and thinking be all about this temporal life and ignore seeing this temporal life as it is – constant spiritual warfare; we simply will not put on the armor of God. Why wear battle gear if we don’t see ourselves in a battle? And this might be the devil’s greatest weapon against God’s people; get them to forget life is a spiritual war lived in constant spiritual conflict. What a masterful strategy which slays many of God’s children. To be slain in the war and not even know it is the height of successful spiritual warfare by our malicious foe.
PRAYER: “Lord, help me to see this life is one of continual spiritual warfare.”
QUOTE: “Without a conscious awareness of our daily battle, we will not daily dress for battle”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim