“Put on the full armor of God, that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).
We don’t like to think we have enemies. I like to think I can pretty much get along with practically anyone-even a Tarheel. We may disagree with people of politics, religion, sports teams, etc., but a real enemy is one who threatens your peace, your health, your family, or even your life. Paul wants us to know who our real enemy is and what battles we should be fighting. Our battle is with our archenemy, the Devil.
Jesus describes the devil as a thief who wants to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10). When we look at our polarized world broken by wars, injustice, oppression, violence, poverty, etc., it seems the devil holds the upper hand. Paul says the problem is that we have mistaken the real enemy as “flesh and blood” people rather than “the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (v.12)
The same is true for our personal lives. You may have tried everything to fight the “devil’s schemes.” Everything from religious discipline, self-help books to prosperity preachers but they all fall short. The simple truth is we are up against far more than we can handle on our own. However, through Jesus, God gives us the weapons we need to stand up against everything the devil throws your way and even be victorious.
And what exactly are these weapons of mass deliverance? I invite you to read Ephesians 6:10-20 and then,
Come and see,
Pastor Rob
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