We learned during the weekend service that, whether we realize it or not, we are engaged in a spiritual battle taking place every day all around us. Scripture makes it clear that we have a real enemy fighting against us who is seeking to destroy us and the kingdom of God. Paul said it this way in Ephesians 6, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (verse 12). In other words, we must not take the spiritual battles happening around us lightly. We must be prepared and ready to fight against the schemes of the enemy.
After explaining the severity of the spiritual battles taking place around us in Ephesians 6, Paul called readers to be ready to fight against the enemy, Satan, and his schemes. He wrote, “Put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after battle you will be standing firm” (verse 13). According to this passage of Scripture, God has given us each armor to fight against the enemy. Even more, when we fight against the enemy with all of God's armor, we will remain "standing firm." We will stand firm in the battle not because of anything we have done but because of what God has done. You see, God is more powerful than the enemy and will remain victorious in the battle taking place.
The first two pieces of God’s armor that Paul addressed go hand-in-hand: the “belt of truth” and “the body armor of God’s righteousness” (verse 14). The truth about God and our faith is what supports us and leads us to live in light of His truth. God’s righteousness is what cleanses us from sin and allows us to stand before Him, knowing that we have been forgiven for our sins. As we take these two pieces of God’s armor into battle against the enemy, we will, indeed, stand firm, armored with the truth and God’s righteousness.
It's time that each one of us takes the spiritual battles around us seriously and picks up God's armor, specifically the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. Let the truth of who God is and what He has done for you support you as you fight against the enemy and his schemes. Stand confidently, knowing that Christ's righteousness covers you if you have placed your faith in Him. Praise God that He does not leave us alone in the spiritual battles taking place all around us!
As you consider the belt of truth and the body armor of righteousness that God has given us to fight in the spiritual battles taking place around us, thank Him for what He has done for you. Thank Him that because of His righteousness, you received forgiveness and freedom from sin and death.
1Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
9 Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
