A close friend of mine is married to a senior leader of an African nation that has for decades been known for extreme persecution. While her husband was serving as a catalyst in seeing that country’s people freed from an oppressive regime, my friend and her three children recently spent a year with me in Uganda.
One evening my son and I went to church with my friend and her family. When we climbed into their armored vehicle, I noticed that the 4-inch thick bulletproof windows were open. “The windows were not made to go down,” my friend explained. “But mechanics working on the vehicle yesterday were intrigued with the car and tampered with the windows. Now we can’t close them.”
Though my friend’s vehicle is designed to protect against grenades and other weapons, without the car’s full armor intact its passengers are vulnerable.
As believers, we have an enemy that’s on the prowl, looking for cracks in our armor where he can attack. “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). That’s why we’re instructed to “be strong in the Lord,” and to “put on all of God’s armor” so that we can “stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
Today, and every day, remember to put on every piece of God’s armor: the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the body armor of God’s righteousness, and the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:13-17). And as you wield the sword of the Spirit (God’s Word), you’ll be beating back the enemy and thwarting His devastating attacks.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 21:1-17
More:
Read about the person King Saul’s son Jonathan relied on to carry his armor in 1 Samuel 14:1-6. Which of your friends can help you face spiritual battles?
Next:
What will it take for you to be better prepared for spiritual attacks? How can God’s Word help you in these battles?
andyrogers on August 29, 2013 at 7:56 am
In answer to the “Next” question I’ve found that prayer, Bible reading, and obedience in everyday life are what best prepare me for spiritual attack. That may sound simplistic, but at least in my experience it’s been true. When I’m in seasons of consistent Bible reading and obedience I’ve found it’s much easier to see God working in and around me.
jowend on August 29, 2013 at 8:54 am
Not only are we to put on the armour first thing but we must make sure that it does not slip during the day
tom felten on August 29, 2013 at 9:18 am
Living in the physical world, it can be difficult to remember that spiritual warfare is occurring all around us. We can focus on what we see and miss the all-important realization that the battle is truly about what is not seen. Thanks for this reminder, Roxanne.
karenmgallimore on August 29, 2013 at 11:27 am
We’ve been doing this topic in Bible Study for the past couple of weeks. It’s so important to remember that we WILL be attacked every day and so it’s imperative that we indeed put on and keep on the whole armour. Thanks Roxanne.