Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Ephesians 6:10-13 – Put On The Full Armor Of God – Growing As Disciples
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
Stand Your Ground
Don’t be surprised. Don’t be surprised about what? There are two things that I don’t want you to be surprised about. First, don’t be surprised that many of your battles in life will not be against flesh and blood. You may think that a battle is strictly against flesh and blood, in many case that will be incorrect. It would be better to assume that a battle you are facing is against spiritual forces of evil in the world, rather than against flesh and blood. You may think that conflicting worldly thoughts, opinions and values are simply someone’s worldly belief system. That would also be incorrect. The evil ruler of this world has a strong grip on the unguarded thoughts and values and opinions that are firmly held by many in this world. So, you will need to think and act and move differently against evil in this world. How so? You will not be able to rely on the strength of any human effort to win battles over spiritual evil that is in the world. You must watch and pray. You must rely on me. You must rely on my power and strength to give you victories over evil that is in the world. Will you rely on me? Yes Lord, I will rely on you. That will be very good.
What else don’t you want me to be surprised about? I don’t want you to be surprised when you face battles with evil in the world. Don’t think that they will be rare. Don’t be surprised when they come upon you. Be ready, at all times, to face battles with the devil and all his evil in the world. How can I always be ready to face the devil and his evil in the world? You must put on the full armor that I have given to you. Live in the truth that you have in me. Allow the truth you have in me to continue to keep you free from evil. Live and walk in my truth. Don’t allow yourself to become entangled in deceitful evil. Live the righteous life that I have called you to live. Don’t go where you shouldn’t go. Don’t do what you shouldn’t do. Live out the gospel. Be always ready to share the hope you have in me. Let your faith in me be a shield to protect you from the world. Don’t allow fiery arrows of doubt to come near you. Let your heart and mind and life be guarded and guided by my word. Allow my word to guide the thoughts of your mind, words of your mouth and deeds of your life. Allow my Spirit to use my word to fight in you, with you, for you and through you. Finally keep watch. Keep praying. Pray for yourself. Pray for others. Live a life of prayer as you walk through life with me. These things, I will do with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Then you will be able to stand your ground. Then you will live and walk in victory. That will be very good.
Lord, I know I am not fighting solely against flesh and blood. I know I am certain to come under attack of spiritual evil. Help me to put on your full armor. Protect me against attack. Make me able to stand against evil. Fight in me, with me, for me and through me. Amen
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