Paul provides us with important guidance about the reality of spiritual warfare. Often Christians dismiss spiritual warfare and focus only on the things we can see and touch. This is acting “carnally minded” and not “spiritually minded”. We are warned against this in Romans 8:5-6. This leaves us vulnerable to Satan’s attacks.
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Some key points upon which to reflect:
- Our strength comes from the Lord, not ourselves
- The devil is real and he has strategies he uses to lie, cheat and destroy. He will use more than one strategy against us.
- Warfare does not always take place in the physical world, sometimes it is in the spiritual world. Consider the book of Job.
- Just putting on one or two pieces of the armor of God is not enough, we need to put on all of them.
- Prayer and a relationship with Jesus are necessary! Jesus tells us to pray daily and to pray specifically to not let us yield to temptation, and to be rescued from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13
- We are to stay alert and pray for others in addition to ourselves.
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, show me how to be spiritually minded. Help me to focus on Your word and be transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2). Show me how with Your wisdom and discernment. I will submit to You and resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7) in Yeshua’s name! Amen.
Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ
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