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

Our Latest

Excerpt

There’s No Such Thing as a ‘Proper’ Christmas Carol

As we learn from the surprising journeys of several holiday classics, the term defies easy definition.

Advent Calls Us Out of Our Despair

Sitting in the dark helps us truly appreciate the light.

Glory to God in the Highest Calling

Motherhood is honorable, but being a disciple of Jesus is every woman’s primary biblical vocation.

Advent Doesn’t Have to Make Sense

As a curator, I love how contemporary art makes the world feel strange. So does the story of Jesus’ birth.

Public Theology Project

The Star of Bethlehem Is a Zodiac Killer

How Christmas upends everything that draws our culture to astrology.

News

As Malibu Burns, Pepperdine Withstands the Fire

University president praises the community’s “calm resilience” as students and staff shelter in place in fireproof buildings.

The Russell Moore Show

My Favorite Books of 2024

Ashley Hales, CT’s editorial director for print, and Russell discuss this year’s reads.

News

The Door Is Now Open to Churches in Nepal

Seventeen years after the former Hindu kingdom became a secular state, Christians have a pathway to legal recognition.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube