Know Your Enemy

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 

Ephesians 6:10-13

Have you ever had one of those days where it seemed like someone or something was out to get you?

You know the days I’m talking about – the days where everything you touch breaks and anything that can go wrong does and everyone you interact with seems to misunderstand you or confuse you or frustrate you in some way…

Sweet friend, we’ve all had those days.

Why?

Because there really is someone out to get us.

God’s Word makes it really clear that the devil is scheming against us, that he is prowling like a roaring lion, actively looking for people to bring down (Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8). The devil uses whatever and whomever he can to trip us up with doubt, make us our lose our cool, drive us to do ungodly things out of fear or pride. And he’d love nothing more than for you to focus on the wrong thing or the wrong person as your enemy.

Your finances aren’t your enemy. Neither is your boss or your kid’s teacher or that one Brother/Sister who never seems to appreciate your service. The government isn’t your enemy. Your health isn’t your enemy. You aren’t even your own enemy (though I sure feel like mine some days!).

Oh dear heart, we only have one enemy – the devil. And he works hard to convince us that others are the problem so we’ll fight them instead of him.

How then do we fight an enemy who seems so good at hiding his schemes behind the actions or words of others?

We armor up.

Ephesians 6:13 tells us to “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm”.

Beloved, I’m saying this to myself as much as I am to you:

It’s time to stop fighting the wrong enemy.

It’s time to do a better job defending our families, our workplaces, our communities, and our country.

Join me over the next couple of weeks as we learn more about the armor of God, how to put it on, and how to stand against the schemes of our only true enemy, the devil.

As we learn together, know that I am praying over you Brothers and Sisters. Thank you for making me part of your daily walk with Jesus.

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