Keep Alert
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in
the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against
enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of
God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything,
to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist,
and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on
whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of
these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the
flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times in
every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert
and always persevere in the supplication for all the saints.
The believer in Christ faces an evil
one who masquerades. One of Satan’s key strategies is to look like someone who
is good. In preparing us to face the evil strategies of the devil, God has
provided all the equipment we need to stand our ground. Protecting ourselves
with the armor of God unmasks the evil that opposes us and stabilizes our
spiritual walk.
God’s armor is
tailor-made for us, but we must put it on.
Our Daily
Bread –