Word@Work Eph79 - Ephesians 6:13
Published: Fri, 01/23/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
STEADY UNDER FIRE
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armour 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. (NIV)
However bright each day may seem, the day of evil will come to the Christian. It is an inevitable consequence of our close family relationship with God. You see, His great enemy, the devil, will try to get at our Father by disturbing His children or deflecting then from His service. By seducing us away from His love or paralysing us to prevent fruitful ministry, Satan contests God's authority and makes a grab at glory for himself. Evil may come in many forms: ill health, verbal hostility, physical violence, temptation, lies and death. All these and many more are designed to induce a reaction from us. And more often than not, it is our reaction that becomes the biggest danger.
Most people like to solve problems, to fix what needs mending. Christians are also prone to all kinds of activism, as though 'doing something' is good (even if it is misconceived or misplaced). We forget that spiritual warfare is not fought by brains or brawn. Often, Satan's taunts or temptations succeed in goading us into doing something, which we later regret. Most of our defeats are like judo falls where the devil uses our own energy against ourselves. So the wise Christian will stop when evil comes. Fighting is not commanded, but standing still inside God's armour is.
Old Testament Israel had to learn that only the Lord could defeat the enemy (Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."). The people had to stand still in obedience and faith. Paul says the same thing here. The forces against us are not for us to hack down, but to withstand by refusing to move. It is unbelief that precipitates moving; either back in fright, or forward in desperation. But here we are commanded to stand still and firm on the ground of God's Word, trusting that His protection is enough. That is real faith: refusing to budge even though all hell screams against you, because you know that you are safe in Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Forgive me for thinking that I can deal with spiritual opposition by my own wisdom and strength, and forgive my foolish activism that betrays my lack of confidence in You. Help me to learn to stop and stand, and trust that you will fight for me, and for Your own glory. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
However bright each day may seem, the day of evil will come to the Christian. It is an inevitable consequence of our close family relationship with God. You see, His great enemy, the devil, will try to get at our Father by disturbing His children or deflecting then from His service. By seducing us away from His love or paralysing us to prevent fruitful ministry, Satan contests God's authority and makes a grab at glory for himself. Evil may come in many forms: ill health, verbal hostility, physical violence, temptation, lies and death. All these and many more are designed to induce a reaction from us. And more often than not, it is our reaction that becomes the biggest danger.
Most people like to solve problems, to fix what needs mending. Christians are also prone to all kinds of activism, as though 'doing something' is good (even if it is misconceived or misplaced). We forget that spiritual warfare is not fought by brains or brawn. Often, Satan's taunts or temptations succeed in goading us into doing something, which we later regret. Most of our defeats are like judo falls where the devil uses our own energy against ourselves. So the wise Christian will stop when evil comes. Fighting is not commanded, but standing still inside God's armour is.
Old Testament Israel had to learn that only the Lord could defeat the enemy (Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."). The people had to stand still in obedience and faith. Paul says the same thing here. The forces against us are not for us to hack down, but to withstand by refusing to move. It is unbelief that precipitates moving; either back in fright, or forward in desperation. But here we are commanded to stand still and firm on the ground of God's Word, trusting that His protection is enough. That is real faith: refusing to budge even though all hell screams against you, because you know that you are safe in Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Forgive me for thinking that I can deal with spiritual opposition by my own wisdom and strength, and forgive my foolish activism that betrays my lack of confidence in You. Help me to learn to stop and stand, and trust that you will fight for me, and for Your own glory. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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