READ: Ephesians 6 (Focus vs. 10-20)
MEMORY VERSE
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11
BACKGROUND
Recently, my mom gave me a play-by-play of a surprising confrontation she saw on a live webcam feed from a watering hole in Africa. The Gemsbok, a large antelope, has horns that can be more than two feet long, making it a formidable animal that doesn’t seem to scare easily.
That is, unless it comes across a group of brave and rowdy ostriches. The lead ostrich, which was taller than its foes, shook its large feathers, roared, and stomped toward three Gemsbok, causing them to flee.
“I guess they didn’t realize how powerful their horns are,” I said to my mom.
Believers in Jesus can forget the power we have when faced with attacks from our spiritual enemy, Satan. We have the Holy Spirit who lives inside us (Romans 8:11) and the armor of God to help us: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).
Satan wants to challenge our belief in God’s Word, question our identity in Christ, and tempt us to sin.
But we can stand strong because God’s armor includes “the belt of truth, . . . the breastplate of righteousness, . . . the shield of faith, . . . the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (vv. 14-17).
When the enemy attacks us with feelings of fear, condemnation, or despair, let’s remember we’re God’s children and are well equipped to stand strong.
Nancy Gavilanes
INSIGHT
Speaking to gentile (non-Jewish) believers in Jesus (Ephesians 2:11-12), Paul uses the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor—compelling imagery for that audience.
Although drawing on militaristic imagery to highlight a struggle against “the powers of this dark world” (6:12), the apostle also emphasizes that this isn’t a fight against human beings—“against flesh and blood”—but against “spiritual forces of evil” (v. 12).
It’s a conflict in which believers follow our suffering Savior, who died out of love to reveal “the gospel of peace” (v. 15). He’s equipped us with spiritual armor (vv. 10-17) so we can stand strong when we face spiritual battles.
Monica La Rose
APPLICATION
Why do you sometimes forget to use the armor of God? How can you stand firm in your battles?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Believers in Jesus can forget the power we have when faced with attacks from our spiritual enemy, Satan… When the enemy attacks us with feelings of fear, condemnation, or despair, let’s remember we’re God’s children and are well equipped to stand strong.”
PR’s TAKE
“If all you see is what you see, you will never see all that there is to be seen” Tony Evans
“You are not fighting for victory – you are fighting from victory.” Tony Evans
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10
PRAYER
“Dear God, thank You for giving me Your divine protection.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“MORE THAN A CONQUEROR”
More than a conqueror through the mighty God,
More than a conqueror by the cleansing blood;
Kept by a pow’r divine, walking in the light,
More than a conqueror, reigning day and night.
More, more, more;
More than conqueror through my Lord;
More, more, more;
More than a conqueror, standing on His Word.
More than a conqueror by the living Lord,
More than a conqueror, standing on His Word;
Mine is the victory, happy on the way,
More than a conqueror till my dying day.
More, more, more;
More than conqueror through my Lord…
More than a conqueror in the battle’s din,
More than a conqueror over every sin;
Ready to meet the Lord at the trumpet call,
More than a conqueror, victor over all.
More, more, more;
More than conqueror through my Lord…
More than a conqueror while I live below,
More than a conqueror over every foe;
And by the grace of God ever shall I be
More than a conqueror through eternity.
More, more, more;
More than conqueror through my Lord;
More, more, more;
More than a conqueror, standing on His Word.
