Armor Up!
Friday, September 18
Ephesians 6:11 (AMP)
“Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.”
Devotion
Can you imagine a soldier today going out for war with no armor, no protection, no weapons? But as Christians, this is the position many of us put ourselves in. We wake up and face our day with no armor, even though we all live in the middle of a spiritual war. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our battle is not against other people but against the principalities of darkness. In order to hold our ground and keep standing in this battle, we are instructed by the Word of God to armor up! This is not a one-time event. Just like a soldier in the military must suit up each day, so must we.
As Pastor Franklin reminded us, we are always more prone to attacks from the Enemy if we are not actively engaged. David’s personal downfall came because he failed to engage in battle. If he had been away at war, fighting with his men where he was supposed to be, he would not have fallen prey to the spirit of lust.
We can protect ourselves from the Enemy’s schemes by following the instructions provided by our Commander. Safety and blessing come with obedience! As believers, we can stay engaged by submitting to God, staying sober and vigilant, praying, praying in the Spirit, praising, worshiping, tithing, fasting, fellowshipping with the body of Christ, and rooting ourselves in the Word of God. Our verse today is the introduction to the specific armor we have access to as believers (Ephesians 6:13–17): the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Our past victories and successes cannot protect us from future downfalls—only active engagement can. Let’s be humbly aware of our need for protection each day and remember to armor up!
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask You to open up my eyes that I may see the real battle that rages around me, so I may not become complacent nor unaware of the enemy’s tactics. Cause me to be vigilant at all times, standing in Your strength and rooted and grounded, immovable in the Word of God. I am Your servant and bow my knees to Your Lordship. Hold me steadfast unto the day of Your return. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Start every day with a pledge of absolute surrender to the Lord. Before your feet touch the floor, give the day to Him. Read 2 Timothy chapter 2. Walk out the Word He has placed in your heart. These are the days we need to walk in all we know to do in Christ. Every step we take in Him counts.
Resources
• Want to learn how to stand firm when life gets difficult? Watch “How To Be Unshakable” and discover how to build your faith on a foundation that won’t move, no matter what comes your way.
• Study Ephesians 6 verse by verse and let the Word equip you to stand firm in every spiritual battle.