“Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
– Ephesians 6:10-11
Friends, as we begin our new study on the Armor of God, let’s start by asking God to open our eyes to the spiritual battles that rage around us. Not to cause us to fear but to make us aware. While we shouldn’t live in fear, we should also not be naïve about what is happening behind the scenes.
It’s time for us to be vigilant, wise, and grounded in the Word of God. We need to be aware of the unseen battles that daily impact our lives and those we love.
Our Battles Are Spiritual
When conflicts, discouragement, and trials arise, I know it is easy to see the people causing the conflicts as our enemy. But in reality, they aren’t. We must remember they are merely the visible manifestations of an invisible spiritual battle.
In Ephesians 6:12, we read that our struggle is “not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
In order to stand strong effectively in our battles, we must learn to use our spiritual weapons, since it IS a spiritual battle.
Ephesians 6:10-11 tells us we must get our strength from God, not ourselves. Our own human strength and wisdom are simply not enough for the battles we face. But don’t allow that to cause you to fear. God has given you everything you need to successfully engage and fight your battles. You just need to know how to gear up!
And remember, our power comes from the Holy Spirit working in and through us. We don’t have to muster up the strength or wisdom on our own. Instead, the Spirit of God empowers us, guides us, and leads us each step of the way.
Sweet friend, don’t forget that we serve a God who has already won the battle! He calls us not to cower, but to stand firm in this knowledge.
Knowing that God will fight our battles is comforting, but we must also do our part by standing in the spiritual armor He has graciously given us.
What You Wear Matters
The Apostle Paul doesn’t leave us wondering what to do; he instructs us to “put on the full armor of God.”
This is an intentional act. Every day, we must choose to suit up in the spiritual armor God has given us, preparing ourselves for the unseen battles we face. It’s like getting dressed in the morning; we wouldn’t go out in our pajamas and, similarly, we shouldn’t step into our day without the armor of God.
Let’s start being intentional as we begin our days and “dress for success”.
Lean into God’s mighty power, suit up in His armor daily, and stand firm against Satan’s attacks.
And walk confidently, knowing our strength is from the Lord, and He is our ultimate victory.
Remember, you are not alone in your battles and are equipped with everything we need through Christ!
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Week 1 Challenge:
This week, grab several notecards or take a few pages in your prayer journal and write the name of a loved one at the top of each page. Under each name, write the words: physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. Focus on praying for protection in each of these areas for your loved ones, being as specific as possible.
Week 1 Reading Plan:
Week 1 Memory Verse:
