Are you in need of strength today? Are you facing a mountain of struggles? Do you feel as though your world is crumbling around you? Do you believe there are evil forces at work against you? Do you realize how true that feeling may be? Do you know how to survive it?
As much as most of us don’t want or don’t like to admit it, evil is at work in our world. We face it on a daily basis. Satan likes to toy with us like little children. Unfortunately, far too many of us don’t know how to defend ourselves against him. There is only one way to do so.
The Apostle Paul knew all too well about evil forces exerting their will in this world. He gave us instructions in Ephesians 6:10-20 to fight against evil. All but one of his instructions were for defense. Why would that be? We are to take up a defensive position against the attacks of Satan and allow God to take the offense. In fact, the only offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, which is God in us. We access this weapon through prayer. Praying in the Spirit, through the Spirit, and in our full spirit is both defensive and offensive.
There are many who will not attribute the dissension, hate, discrimination, crime, and brokenness of this world to Satan. Their eyes are blind, and their ears are clogged. Their hearts are hardened. This is also the work of Satan. His schemes are many and varied. We often say all this is a result of human nature. True—broken human nature.
How do we overcome our brokenness? We must put our trust in God. We need to spend time with God’s people learning, reading God’s Word, and praying for wisdom. We must give up our own desires in favor of God’s desires. We need to learn how to put on the armor of God to protect ourselves from the schemes Satan throws at us.
We have a choice to make—fall for Satan’s schemes or protect ourselves with God. It isn’t always an easy choice. It isn’t typically a popular choice. Yet, if we want to live a life of peace, joy, contentment, and love, it’s a choice we need to make.
I pray we all choose to put on the armor of God. I pray we defend ourselves against Satan’s schemes. I pray we choose to dedicate ourselves to following God and trusting Him. Put on the armor of God. Spend time with Jesus’ followers. Learn from God’s Word. Spend time in prayer with God. Trust Him to protect you. Open your eyes and ears.
Ephesians 6:10-11 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.
Marty Pressey 