Word@Work Eph77 - Ephesians 6:11
Published: Wed, 01/21/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (NIV)
Wise Christians are realists. The idea that we live in a wholesome world, run by the great and the good for the benefit of ordinary society - is an illusion. While the devil does not trouble his captives too much, he tries his hardest to inflict as much damage as possible on Christians. However none of his schemes has escaped God's attention. He provides every believer with personal defence that needs to be applied before the attacks come. In other words, God expects us to be in a permanent state of readiness to resist Satan's attempts to seduce our minds and ensnare our hearts.
This verse starts with a command, "Put on ...". Although some Christians assume that God does everything and we can passively float under His protection, that is not true to the Bible. God is Sovereign, but His Sovereign command is directed at us - we have the responsibility to be active; it is us (and not God) who have to decide to protect ourselves with the armour that He has already provided. That armour is complete as long as you keep facing the enemy (there is no backplate), it is authorised by God as being fit-for-purpose. It is designed to enable us to withstand whatever is thrown at us ... simply by standing still.
The devil's schemes are all based around the lies that he inserts into our minds, and the fear that he encourages as other people speak/act out their dark threats. Few evil ideas are original. Most temptations are based on getting us to believe that God is not interested/powerful, that God is not personally engaged with our circumstances, or that God will not keep His promises. We are then tempted to find our own futile solutions, which also deny God the pleasure of meeting our real needs and thus displaying His glory. Often we may be duped into activity when God wants us to stand, or into running away when God wants us to face the lies and the liars. All too frequently, the lull in-between spiritual battles takes us off guard and we fail to surround ourselves with God's armour. We even allow prayer and Bible devotions to be relegated to time when we will not be so busy: but that time comes all too late, because we step out to work (and into satanic traps) unprepared each day. That is why Word@Work is written and sent to you! We hope that it helps you to be prepared for the day ahead; a day in which you are under sinister observation: Satan is waiting for the moment you lose your direction, shame yourself and discredit your Saviour. So, please, stop and put on God's gracious protection and be ready to face whatever comes in the Name of Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Please forgive me for being so blasé about the spiritual dangers I face each day. I know that I need to be prepared to face these challenges. So please help me now to commit this day to You and to accept the responsibility of being prepared and protected with the armour that you provide. For Jesus' Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Wise Christians are realists. The idea that we live in a wholesome world, run by the great and the good for the benefit of ordinary society - is an illusion. While the devil does not trouble his captives too much, he tries his hardest to inflict as much damage as possible on Christians. However none of his schemes has escaped God's attention. He provides every believer with personal defence that needs to be applied before the attacks come. In other words, God expects us to be in a permanent state of readiness to resist Satan's attempts to seduce our minds and ensnare our hearts.
This verse starts with a command, "Put on ...". Although some Christians assume that God does everything and we can passively float under His protection, that is not true to the Bible. God is Sovereign, but His Sovereign command is directed at us - we have the responsibility to be active; it is us (and not God) who have to decide to protect ourselves with the armour that He has already provided. That armour is complete as long as you keep facing the enemy (there is no backplate), it is authorised by God as being fit-for-purpose. It is designed to enable us to withstand whatever is thrown at us ... simply by standing still.
The devil's schemes are all based around the lies that he inserts into our minds, and the fear that he encourages as other people speak/act out their dark threats. Few evil ideas are original. Most temptations are based on getting us to believe that God is not interested/powerful, that God is not personally engaged with our circumstances, or that God will not keep His promises. We are then tempted to find our own futile solutions, which also deny God the pleasure of meeting our real needs and thus displaying His glory. Often we may be duped into activity when God wants us to stand, or into running away when God wants us to face the lies and the liars. All too frequently, the lull in-between spiritual battles takes us off guard and we fail to surround ourselves with God's armour. We even allow prayer and Bible devotions to be relegated to time when we will not be so busy: but that time comes all too late, because we step out to work (and into satanic traps) unprepared each day. That is why Word@Work is written and sent to you! We hope that it helps you to be prepared for the day ahead; a day in which you are under sinister observation: Satan is waiting for the moment you lose your direction, shame yourself and discredit your Saviour. So, please, stop and put on God's gracious protection and be ready to face whatever comes in the Name of Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Please forgive me for being so blasé about the spiritual dangers I face each day. I know that I need to be prepared to face these challenges. So please help me now to commit this day to You and to accept the responsibility of being prepared and protected with the armour that you provide. For Jesus' Christ's sake. Amen.
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