Pastors

Chinks In The Armor

Ephesians reminds us that Satan and his agents lurk behind the struggles we face in our lives—but also that God gives us his weapons.

Leadership Journal July 30, 2007

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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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 saints.

Character Check Where am I most vulnerable to Satan’s attacks?

In Business Terms Most of us don’t know our weaknesses. We don’t know where we’re vulnerable. And that’s where we get tripped up.

We’ve got to be realistic about the tactics of Satan. Paul says we are not to be ignorant of his devices. One translation renders it: “I’m up to his tricks.”

And we must know how to draw on the resources God has given us, which means learning to put on the armor described in Ephesians 6.

Prayer is our support system. We are wise to lean on our spouses, colleagues, and Christian friends, asking them to pray for us and help us through. That’s fellowship, and we are told, all of us, to live in fellowship. No Christian is meant to be a Lone Ranger, a self-sufficient hero, in the spiritual battle. We can’t do it, and we shouldn’t try.

—J. I. Packer

Something to Think About We may not pay [Satan] reverence, for that would be indiscreet, but we can at least respect his talents. – Mark Twain

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