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Did
You Get Dressed Today?
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Did you wake up
this morning aware that you are in a war? Did it cross your
mind during breakfast that when you walk out your front door
you are going into a battle? Paul reminded the Ephesian
brethren to make sure they got dressed for their battle, and
you must make similar preparations for yours.
You are at war, Christian! It is a spiritual war for the most
important thing you own...your soul. Christ died to save it.
Satan will stop at nothing to devour it. “We do not wrestle
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly
places” (Eph. 6:12).
Do you know the enemy? He is described as a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). He is known as the
serpent of old in Revelation 12:9 who caused the fall of man.
There is someone out there who wants to destroy you. He does
not show mercy to the weak. He does not hold back on children
or the elderly. He will do whatever it takes to get to you.
Consider the story of Job. Satan took away Job’s wealth,
killed his children and struck him with morbid boils all over
his body. Satan wanted Job and stopped at nothing, within his
authorized power, to destroy the man. He wants to do the same
to you!
Take heart! “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His
might” (Eph. 6:10). Not only will God not allow you to be
tempted beyond what you are able (I Cor. 10:13), but He has
given you His armor for this fight. Ephesians 6:11 says to
“Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand
firm against the schemes of the devil.”
The belt of truth. This holds every other piece
together. Without it, the other pieces of the armor would be
worthless. The enemy has successfully been able to deceive
soldiers into leaving this piece off. They were easy prey. By
strapping this on tight, you will have a way to defend against
the father of lies!
The breastplate of righteousness. You had better
protect your heart with this piece! “A good man out of the
good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man
out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For
out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke
6:45). Keep your heart pure and protected.
The shoes of the gospel of peace. The enemy does not
want people to be saved. Put this piece of armor on with the
attitude of rescuing the fallen. “How beautiful...” says
Romans 10:15 of this piece.
The shield of faith. Fiery darts will be coming at
you. You will definitely want to build this piece up as you
prepare for the evil day. With this piece, soldiers of old
have “subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence
of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were
made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the
armies of the aliens” (Hebrews 11:33,34).
The helmet of salvation. Did you know the outcome of
the war has already been determined? It is certain that Satan
has been defeated (Rev. 20:10). It is certain that those who
endure will be victorious in the Lord (Rev. 21:7). The enemy
will feed you lies and uncertainty. He will confuse and
deceive you so that your thoughts become unclear. I John 5:13
assures the Christian “that you may know that you have
eternal life.” Protect your thoughts with this piece of
armor.
The sword of the Spirit. This weapon has been used by
every man and woman of valor in God’s army of believers.
Even the Son of God used this piece skillfully in an epic
battle with Satan, as recorded in Matthew 4. However, be
careful! The enemy knows this weapon and can mishandle it
against you if you do not wield it aright.
The prayers of the saints. Don’t forget to always
do this. It is your communication with home. It is your call
for aid. It is your comfort, assurance and hope. Though not a
piece you put on, it should be used before, during and after
every battle.
Since God has already defeated Satan, your goal is merely to
withstand his assault. Resist him and he will flee from you
(James 4:7). After Jesus was tempted in the wilderness and
answered Satan, he left. After Job’s faith in God was
tested, Satan left and God restored to Job what Satan took
from him.
“Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand” (Eph. 6:13). When is your evil day? A lion will sneak
up on its prey and catch it by surprise. We don’t always
know in advance when our faith will be confronted. We don’t
know which wile Satan will use to attack us. So, we better be
ready everyday. What soldier is there that will go to battle
without first putting on his armor?
Make sure you get dressed everyday!
Michael Cawthon
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