The Wrestle
““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. 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.””
Our wrestle is not against human forces but against spiritual forces led by Satan, God's enemy. His character in every way stands in opposition to God. He is the father of lies (John 8:44). He is a schemer and deceiver (Genesis 3:1). He is NOT your friend but your adversary, prowling around like a lion seeking to devour you (1 Peter 5:8). He has a host of demons and organized demonic systems that infiltrate every structure in our society.
As the father of lies, he is the master of deception. One of his greatest tricks is to cause us to believe that he is not actually a threat. As 2 Corinthians 11:14 states, he disguises himself as an angel of light. At times, his schemes are blatantly obvious, but most often they are subtle and not easy to detect. His sly tactics can slither into a conversation with a dear friend, planting seeds of discord, jealousy, envy, and gossip. He will use the disappointment you experienced with a spouse, parent, or loved one to lay deep-seated roots of resentment, unforgiveness, and discontentment. He will pit the body of Christ against one another, causing us to believe we are the real enemies instead of the beloved bride of Christ, who were reconciled to one another through Christ's precious blood shed on the cross.
He seems strong and unbeatable. But don't believe his hype. It's another one of his tactics. He is no match for God or us when we put on God's armor. God's armor brings strength to stand against every last one of Satan's strategies. When we submit ourselves to God in humility, He gives us the power to resist the devil and watch him flee (James 4:7).
How do we activate God's armor?
Put on the Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14)
This helps us discern Satan's lies and gives us the ability to combat them with the truth of God's Word. We see Jesus using this tactic in Matthew 4 when the devil tried to tempt Him in the wilderness. With each temptation, Jesus responded with the Word, saying, "It is written…".
Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)
Christ's death on the cross paid the price for all of our sins. As a result, we are made righteous before God. We overcome the accusations Satan makes against us when we put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Prepare our feet with the readiness given by the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)
Jesus broke down the dividing wall of hostility that exists because of division and sin in our world. He is our peace, bringing unity to broken places. We must act as agents of Christ's peace.
Take up the Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)
The apostle Paul instructs us to lift up our shield of faith in ALL circumstances because one of the enemy's strategies is to cast doubt in our hearts. The shield of faith helps us look beyond the flaming darts that are coming toward us. We can fix our eyes on our help, the Lord.
Put on the Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)
Christ's death offered us salvation from our past sins. Wearing the helmet of salvation covers us from the daily temptations of sin we face. His salvation is not just for our past but also our present and future circumstances.
Take up the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)
The Sword of the Spirit is God's Word. When we make God's Word the main course of our daily diet, we sharpen our swords. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Pray at all times (Ephesians 6:18)
We activate prayer when we put on each piece of God's armor. We don't just pray for ourselves. We also intercede and petition God on behalf of our fellow saints.
Beloved, stand firm today by putting God's armor on.
Today's Reflection Questions
How can you activate God's armor today? What piece of armor do you need the most in this season?
How does wearing the armor of God daily impact your life and those around you?
In His Love,
Danielle Kelly