12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. –Ephesians 6:12, 13 (KJV)
One of the first songs I learned to play and sing on the guitar, when I was around twelve, was a folk song by Bob Dylan called, “Blowing in the Wind.” Do you recall this one? Anyone reading this today under the age of 40 probably will not remember this song, yet it was popular when I was a boy and the chords and melody lent themselves to my beginning guitar skills. As I grew into a teenager I learned a number of others by Mr. Dylan, one of which stands out in my memory. A line from the song I am thinking of says, “Ain’t it hard when you discover that, he really wasn’t where it’s at, after he took from you everything he could steal?”
I can only wonder if the author of this song realized how applicable those words are for a Christian perspective regarding our stand against evil. The Word of God reminds us how our stand is spiritual in nature and we take our stand against the evil which is ever seeking to rule us and ultimately bring about our downfall. The devil is the author of this evil and he is ever trying to tempt us away from God and toward a path which would wreck our lives and our Christian testimony. Countless people have discovered too late that what the devil was offering truly wasn’t where it was at, and he had indeed taken from them everything he could steal.
Ephesians 6 presents us with a strategy for resisting the wiles of the devil. We take an assertive approach to our faith by daily putting on the entire armor of God. We are challenged to put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, feet covered with the readiness of the gospel, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God), and constant prayer (Ephesians 6:14-18). These, my brothers and sisters, will protect and empower us to stand firm against evil and walk forward in daily spiritual victory.
Each day we can put on this blessed spiritual armor. Putting on the armor of God prepares us to walk in faith and boldly confront the challenges which await us. Set aside time each day for prayer and meditation on God’s Word. The Scripture teaches we are empowered to walk in spiritual victory when we seek the Lord.
Make time every day to seek the Lord. Prayer and studying God’s Word are the keys to keeping our spiritual armor in place. Commit to arise earlier for 40 straight days and you will experience a breakthrough in your prayer time. God is faithful and He honors the prayers of His people.
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