I have a confession to make … I have been anticipating this portion of Ephesians (and our next study – Standing Firm) since our group began this study! I have been so aware of my need to learn more about spiritual battles and how to better wage them. Sure I know this Scripture, but I feel like I am not utilizing them to the extent I should. Anyone else?
Let’s jump into our first reading which was Ephesians 6:10-12. We tend to forget that we are in a spiritual and unseen battle.
The study wisely suggests what I will call – a 3 step plan. We need to:
- Be aware.
- Be equipped.
- Be devoted.
And this means we must be ever dependent on the Lord.
The enemy truly is slick, probably way slicker than we give him credit. He studies us and is patient, and will patiently wait until he can strike at our weakness with precision and success.
“We have a strategic enemy, and we must strategically defeat him.”
(from Chosen by the Daily Grace Co.)
We cannot fight him casually. We must have a strategy, and God has provided it for us. We must learn it and use it.
So often we think that our people or circumstances are our enemy. How can we keep our focus on our actual enemy?
I’m most grateful we are at this point in the study. Let’s learn how to become warriors, remembering the battle is the Lord’s and He will surely help us!
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In reading Ephesians 6:14, we concentrated on the breastplate of righteousness.
In biblical times, the breastplate was put on for battle to protect the heart. And boy, do our hearts need protecting!
“Righteousness protects our heart like a breastplate. It pushes us closer to the Savior.”
(from Chosen by the Daily Grace Co.)
The more we live rightly, the more we will desire to live rightly, and the closer we walk with Christ.
And this is the very reason the battle is so fierce – the enemy is all out to keep us from walking with Jesus.
The study asks: How does righteous living protect us like a breastplate? In what ways does unrighteous living open us up to the attacks of the enemy? How can you combat the attacks of Satan?
As I sat thinking about this, Psalm 23 came to mind:
“He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (NASB)
He not only provides the breastplate of righteousness to protect our hearts, He also guides us in the paths of righteousness.
Putting the two verses side by side, we can realize just how devoted Jesus is to our righteousness.
He has provided the protection – may we now put it on – every single day!
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Ephesians 6:16 brings us to the next piece of our armor – the shield of faith.
Faith is believing God will do what He says He will do.
We know this and believe this, but … when we are in the heat of the battle it sure tests us. Anyone else besides me?
The study makes this statement:
“But this shield of faith is not just to protect us, but to extinguish those flaming darts that are being hurled at us like javelins.”
(from Chosen by the Daily Grace Co.)
The word “extinguish” was like a neon flashing sign: “to put an end to or bring to an end; to wipe out of existence” (dictionary.com).
Anyone besides me desiring the enemy’s javelins to be wiped out of existence or annihilated?
The study asks: How does faith extinguish the darts of the enemy?
As I sat looking at the question, one verse kept coming to mind: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We need to be hearing and applying God’s Word.
May I ask – what is your battle at this time? Where is the enemy throwing his javelins at you? Let’s come alongside one another and provide a Scripture or a quote to put into our arsenals.
~*~*~
God has provided the strategy,
and the protection we need each day,
so that we can fight our spiritual battles victoriously.
Image 1: by Peggychoucair from Pixabay
Image 2: by MasterTux from Pixabay
Today I may be joining … Tell His Story
May we always embrace God’s strategy and protection. Thank you, Joanne.
I could relate to your questions here Joanne, often the enemy’s firey darts come in our most vulnerable areas & at an the most unexpected time to try & ambush us. I’m glad we have the Lord though as our protector!
It’s so important to dwell under His protective wings of love & grace daily so that we have His discernment as the attacks are launched.
Walking with the full armour of God on daily, the attacks may be launched by the enemy but they won’t penetrate God’s armour!
Bless you, Jennifer
Spiritual warfare is a subject I know I need to study more, too. I’ve had a book about it on my shelf. And I have been planning to read it for way too long. So, I look forward to more of your study on the subject.
I loved this statement, by the way, “The more we live rightly, the more we will desire to live rightly, and the closer we walk with Christ.”
Although spiritual, I can assure you of two things sweet sister; the battle is real, and Satan does not fight fair. The better we can defend in battle, the stronger we are offensively. Am loving this series ma’am. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.