Ephesians 6 talks about the devil's schemes and machinations. Satan calculates and plans and manipulates at a supernatural level which we--in our own power--are helpless to resist. This is why any discussion on dealing with the attacks of Satan begins with this: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" (v. 10).
Our resistance to Satan does not begin with unflinching determination or emotional zeal; pep talks and stirring battle cries will not sustain us in battle; and our own will and effort cannot help us against the devil. These will only generate more of the same from us (more pointless and futile acts), because our "best" adds up to nothing...mere posturing powered by the flesh alone. Jesus said the flesh "counts for nothing" (John 6:63). Our flesh is no match for Satan.
According to Paul, our resistance must begin with God. We are told to "be strong", yes, but IN THE LORD! I wonder if we'll ever get this straight. Strength for every good thing we do comes only from God...or else what we do is not good! And if we are going to withstand the onslaughts of demonic powers, we must do so in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Verse 12: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the rulers, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." And these realms are all around us...and loaded with weapons of mass destruction.
Verse 13: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes [every day], you may be able to stand your ground." This chapter (Eph. 6) goes on to describe the components of spirituality and maturity that will equip us to fight the battles that every day will bring.
Unfortunately, the more armor and weapons we have, the more we need, because maturity and spirituality clearly mark us as targets for satanic attacks. But can we quit? Lay down our weapons and walk off the battle field? Of course not! We must increase our faith, expand our courage, and sharpen our warrior skills by staying focused on God, progressing in knowledge of His Word, expressing our dependency on Him, and confessing and praying without ceasing.
V. 11: "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Satan knows our weakest spots and that is where he will come after us. Out of the blue, we will have thoughts and feelings that we did not initiate or anticipate. These begin as soft whispers, and emerge as raging roars. These will ambush us and catapult us out of fellowship, throwing us into places where we will succumb to sin and/or fall into self-induced righteousness, both of which will destroy our effectiveness as soldiers of the cross.
When Satan attacks, and we are not trained and prepared to engage him in spirit-to-spirit combat, he will overpower us. When this happens, he will have us where he wants us, and we will find ourselves fighting for the wrong side (James 4:4). So be alert, and keep praying (v. 18). The enemy is seeking to destroy us, and then use us against our own Father.
Our resistance to Satan does not begin with unflinching determination or emotional zeal; pep talks and stirring battle cries will not sustain us in battle; and our own will and effort cannot help us against the devil. These will only generate more of the same from us (more pointless and futile acts), because our "best" adds up to nothing...mere posturing powered by the flesh alone. Jesus said the flesh "counts for nothing" (John 6:63). Our flesh is no match for Satan.
According to Paul, our resistance must begin with God. We are told to "be strong", yes, but IN THE LORD! I wonder if we'll ever get this straight. Strength for every good thing we do comes only from God...or else what we do is not good! And if we are going to withstand the onslaughts of demonic powers, we must do so in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Verse 12: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the rulers, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." And these realms are all around us...and loaded with weapons of mass destruction.
Verse 13: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes [every day], you may be able to stand your ground." This chapter (Eph. 6) goes on to describe the components of spirituality and maturity that will equip us to fight the battles that every day will bring.
Unfortunately, the more armor and weapons we have, the more we need, because maturity and spirituality clearly mark us as targets for satanic attacks. But can we quit? Lay down our weapons and walk off the battle field? Of course not! We must increase our faith, expand our courage, and sharpen our warrior skills by staying focused on God, progressing in knowledge of His Word, expressing our dependency on Him, and confessing and praying without ceasing.
V. 11: "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Satan knows our weakest spots and that is where he will come after us. Out of the blue, we will have thoughts and feelings that we did not initiate or anticipate. These begin as soft whispers, and emerge as raging roars. These will ambush us and catapult us out of fellowship, throwing us into places where we will succumb to sin and/or fall into self-induced righteousness, both of which will destroy our effectiveness as soldiers of the cross.
When Satan attacks, and we are not trained and prepared to engage him in spirit-to-spirit combat, he will overpower us. When this happens, he will have us where he wants us, and we will find ourselves fighting for the wrong side (James 4:4). So be alert, and keep praying (v. 18). The enemy is seeking to destroy us, and then use us against our own Father.
RSS Feed