Thought for the Week

Scriptures to Read:

Ephesians 6:10-20

St. Matthew 6:7-13

Hebrews 4:12-16

St. Matthew 4:1-11

Hebrews 11:1-6

Hebrews 11:32-40

Philippians 4:4-13

I have been trying to warn-alert you to Satan's attacks. Satan and his fallen-angel-host are formidable enemies. For the Christian, we claim a verse (I John 4:4), "Ye are of God...because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." We dare to presume that if Christ is Lord of your life and seated on the throne of your heart, neither Satan, nor his fallen host, can possess you but they can still oppress you. I have said we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (that is humans – they are not our enemies – even though they may be tools of evil.) We are not left defenseless in the warfare against evil.

Ephesians Chapter 6 helps us see that God has provided armament against evil and I want to look at that. But I remind you the famous prayer Jesus taught His disciples has us praying, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (and/or from the evil one)." In a life where there are landmines and booby-traps, we pray God will give us a map or guide to help us avoid them. So, the prayer, offered daily, is for His guidance away from temptations and evil.

We should be smart enough to know there are places we should not heedlessly go lest we encounter spiritual danger. I do not think we should live in fear but should exercise caution. If God sends us into the enemy camp, we can be sure He will be with us as He was with Jonathan, Gideon, Samson, David and many other heroes of the faith. They entered enemy strongholds and overcame the enemy. So can we. But this Ephesian 6:10-20 passage lists armament we need. There are the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the footwear of peace-proclamation, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of God's word. We are to be constantly in an attitude of prayer in the Spirit.

Examination: belt of truth: any un-truth, half-truth, white lie, deception, or even foolish talk gives Satan a "foot-in-the-door" or our lives and is dangerous. Let God be true to you as you live in His truth every moment.

Breastplate of righteousness: protects your heart, being always in right relationship with God and with your fellow man. If people are going to criticize/condemn you make it so they have to lie to do it. Travel all over proclaiming Peace which God can and wants to give to people. Always be ready to give reasons for your hope to anyone who asks. If you are living as you should, people well may question you about how and why you live as you do.

Shield of faith: Satan's darts are doubt, deceit, discouragement, depression, disillusion, and the like but faith in God, will quench those fiery doubts. The better we know God the stronger will be our trust in Him. We will know He cannot lie and is absolutely trustworthy.

Salvation's helmet gives continuous joy as our minds are renewed and our thoughts focused on the true and living God. God's word is alive, powerful, sharper than any man-made sword and is capable of helping us resist temptation and keep evil at a distance from us. And always pray!