Pastor Bailey’s new friend shared with him the story of his abuse and addiction. Though the young man was a believer in Jesus, because of his exposure to sexual abuse and pornography at an early age, he was plagued with a problem that was bigger than he was. And in his desperation, he reached out for help.
As believers in Christ, we wage war with unseen forces of evil (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). But we’ve been given weapons to fight our spiritual battles. They aren’t the weapons of the world, however. On the contrary, we’ve been given “divine power to demolish strongholds” (v. 4). What does that mean? “Strongholds” are well-built, secure places. Our God-given arms include “weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defence” (6:7 NLT). Ephesians 6:13-18 expands the list of things that help protect us, including the Scriptures, faith, salvation, prayer and the support of other believers. When faced with forces bigger and stronger than us, using these munitions can make the difference between standing and stumbling.
God also uses counsellors and other professionals to help those who struggle with forces too big to tackle alone. The good news is that in and through Jesus, we needn’t surrender when we struggle. We have the armour of God!
By Arthur Jackson
REFLECT & PRAY
Who might you reach out to for support in your personal struggle? What spiritual armour will you put on?
Dear Jesus, You’re more powerful than any force—seen or unseen. I need Your presence and power to be at work in me today.
Putting on spiritual armour to fight our spiritual enemy is a theme throughout the New Testament. Believers in Jesus need His help and guidance to navigate this life and “fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). That’s why He’s given us His armour to equip us. Paul calls us to “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12 ESV). In Ephesians 6:13-18 , the apostle details what makes up the armour of God: “the belt of truth,” “the breastplate of righteousness,” “feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace,” “the shield of faith,” “the helmet of salvation,” and “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Through faith, by God’s grace, we receive salvation and the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives us strength to fight, and our faith shields us from the enemy’s attacks.
Alyson Kieda
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