God spends lots of time explaining how to prepare for
encounters with Satan. One of the most famous passages deals with God’s armor. We
will study this famous passage in depth.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and
in the strength of his might. Put on the
whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the
devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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 firm. Ephesians 6:10-13 (ESV)
The armor of God is found in His Word, of course. The more
you encounter God in the pages of His Book, the better you are protected
against the devil. Notice, too, that it’s NOT just Satan – we also have to deal
with the forces of evil in the heavenlies. They are dangerous because we can’t
see them.
Who IS the enemy? the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. These are the spirits we followed before we
became Christians.
And you were dead in the trespasses
and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world,
following the prince of the power of the
air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom
we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the
body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of
mankind. Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV)
These attacks are very personal! Satan wants you to follow him,
not Jesus. When you choose to stand with Jesus, Satan’s powers are turned
against you in the hope you will return to Satan’s kingdom.
When a soldier goes to war, he has to know his enemy, he is aware
of the enemy’s tactics, it’s easier to
fight and ultimately defeat his foe. Now that we know that our enemy is Satan
and all his minions, we know that we need to read the playbook – the Bible – to
understand his tactics. Like soldiers, we must gird ourselves for battle. On Thursday
we will discuss God’s armor.
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