As Christians, it should come as no surprise to any of us that we are engaged in what we often refer to as the Great Controversy. Before Adam and Eve were even created, the forces of evil had designs on God’s creative masterpiece, to attack the man and the woman who were made in the very image of God Himself.
Through the eyes of selfish ambition Lucifer, the fallen angel, now Satan the deceiver, set his sights on spoiling this amazing planet and all who would come to occupy it. And since God created mankind with the freedom to choose how each person would respond to the desire of their Creator to live in relationship with them, the deceiver has been intent on pulling as many as possible away from God.
This is very definitely a spiritual battle and it is waged every day within the heart and mind of every person on earth. Paul tells us that this struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the forces of evil. And yet, the good news is that we can choose to stand in the strength of the One Who has already defeated this enemy and we can rest assured that we are not in this battle alone.
Paul directs our attention to implements of battle that had long been deployed throughout the history of God’s relationship with humankind. It is in this context that we will discover the 4th metaphor for the ‘church’ that the apostle uses in his le er to the Ephesians. Everything that we need to be victorious in this battle is actually already available to us as, by faith, we stand in His strength, righteousness and power.
May our hearts be inspired and may we live confidently in God’s solution for an eternal end to the efforts of the deceiver to bring challenge and pain to God’s people.
Pastor Phil
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your
stand against the devil’s schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against
the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this
dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV)
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