You can be a genuine Christian and at the same time live your life in defeat. It’s possible to be a good churchgoing boy or girl or man or woman and still not live a victorious life.
That may sound ironic given the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit residing in every believer. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:11, KJV).
Having been a preacher and pastor for over 40 years, I have seen my share of Christians who seem to always be under the hand of the devil. The main reason for this is that these believers fail to properly arm themselves for victory.
In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul the apostle writes these words:
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For 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. –Ephesians 6:11-12, KJV.
Here, Paul introduces the term the whole armor of God. In subsequent verses, he reveals the components of the same. They include the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, etc. Here is why it behooves you to put on this armor:
1. “That You May Be Able to Stand.”
A clear implication of these words is that if you don’t put on the armor of God, you won’t be able to stand against the devil.
Paul was not writing to the Ephesians about how to be saved but about how to stand against the devil. The point is that in your own strength you are no match for the devil. You may be a genuine believer and faithful churchgoer. But if you live your life void of faith in God, application of the Word of God and prayer, etc., you are living your life in your own strength.
Paul’s message is clear: in order to effectively stand against the devil, you must put on the whole armor of God.
2. The Nature of the Enemy Dictates the Fight.
You don’t get to choose how to fight in order to win. It is the nature of the enemy that determines that. Ask any military general or any coach of professional sports. The strategy that works on one opposing force may not work on another one.
Our enemy is the devil. Forget everything you’ve learned about how to fight in the past. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood.” Hence, your physical strength is not a factor. Your human wisdom will get you nowhere when fighting the devil. He is the real enemy, and nothing works on him but spiritual arsenal.
3. You Are Always in War Status
The devil is always fighting you. He is your adversary who goes about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). At times his assault is so intense, you know he’s on your case. Paul refers to such instances as the evil day.
But understand that the devil is relentless. Even when it seems as if he is paying you no mind, you do well to assume that he is. He is always looking for or trying to create an occasion in your life to take you out. That’s why you need the whole armor of God to protect your total person.
Think about what’s happening in our world today. Everything that can be shaken is being shaken. Knowing his days are numbered, the enemy’s assault against the people of God is intensifying.
That Was Then, This Is Now
Paul’s instructions to the believers at Ephesus were not an option but a must if they wanted to be able to stand against the devil and his wiles. These days, the enemy is intensifying his assaults against the people of God. If putting on the whole armor of God was needed in Paul’s day, how much more so do we need to do that today? That’s if we want to be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Copyright © 2024 by Frank King. All rights reserved.