There is little doubt that the world is at war. Spiritual battles are being waged in the lives and in families everywhere. So as God’s chosen, we are called to Stand firm and be ready for war. While the apostle Paul was right on point for the times and places, he was ministering almost 2000 years ago. Does the same battle and the need for the same armor still exist today?
The answer is absolutely. We must remember we serve a God who is omnipresent. He literally is in all places and in all times at once. The spiritual war that is waging has gone on for the entire time since Adam and Eve. Our journey is a brief one, and our goal is to become like the Master. So, Paul is urging for us to stand firm and ready for war is as critical today as it was during early Rome.
So, this week, we will look at the Armor of God. We will examine the pieces and their function in our lives. We will also look at the time and the need to continue to train for the battle we are in.
For today, we must understand the battle. Verse 12 sums it up. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, and powers of this Dark world and against spiritual forces of the heavenly realm. It would be to simplistic to limit the scope to fighting demons and spiritual forces. Paul does not do that.
We clearly are fighting a culture and world view that screams I am the center of the universe. Whatever is going on is only relevant as it relates to me. When we are stuck in that mindset, we will be defeated. God reminds us that we need to make it about Him. If we will, He will provide us with the tools to defeat the world culture. In addition, He will provide us the vision to see the spiritual war being waged alongside.
When we can see that, We can stand firm ad begin fighting in earnest. Our time in the word and in prayer will help us to shift our gaze from ourselves and our circumstance and onto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. When our vision is placed correctly, we will be able to employ the tools of spiritual war. Help me, Lord to see things through your scope of eternity.
God Bless You
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Walking With God 