“Finally, my brethren, be STRONG IN THE LORD and in the power of HIS MIGHT.” (Ephesians 6:10) Paul is telling us this because we are not going to be ONLOOKERS in this battle, we are not going to be NOTE TAKERS, we are PARTICIPANTS in this battle! The devil has come to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY us, YOU, and ME! (see John 10:10) WHAT MUST WE DO?
“Put on ALL of God’s armor so that you will be able to STAND FIRM against ALL STRATEGIES (methodeia: well-crafted trickery) OF THE DEVIL. For 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. Therefore, put on EVERY PIECE OF GOD’S ARMOR so you will be able to RESIST the enemy (histēmi: sustain the authority of anything that comes at you) in the TIME OF EVIL. Then after the battle YOU WILL STILL BE STANDING FIRM.” (Ephesians 6:11-13)
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the BELT OF TRUTH, and having put on the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and, as SHOES FOR YOUR FEET, having put on the readiness given by THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. In all circumstances take up the SHIELD OF FAITH, with which you can EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING DARTS of the evil one; and take the HELMET OF SALVATION, and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is THE WORD OF GOD, PRAYING at all times IN THE SPIRIT, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, KEEP ALERT with all perseverance, MAKING SUPPLICATION for all the saints…” (Ephesians 6:14-18)
Every piece of the full armor of God is ATTACHED TO THE BELT OF TRUTH. If you don’t begin with truth, you’ll never defeat the enemy. And Jesus said GOD’S WORD IS TRUE, Jesus prayed, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; YOUR WORD IS TRUTH.” (John 17:16-17)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham