Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
We are reminded Paul writes the letter to the church at Ephesus
We are reminded Jesus was sent into the desert without food by the Holy Spirit for 40 days, and He was hungry and thirsty before Satan came along and tempted Him.
How could Paul write such a grace-filled and God-blessed epistle from such a location? How could Jesus fend off Satan in the midst of such a trial?
The answer is: the armor of God. (The power of the Holy Spirit.) Paul acknowledges and preaches it. Jesus uses it. It works.
James says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
Paul writes, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor 10:13 )
Temptation is something we will always be faced with in this life. Deal with it. Whether it is the temptation to quit or feel sorry for yourself, rather than blessed as Paul must have faced, or whether it is the temptation to inappropriate power or recognition Jesus faced - or any number of others - you will be tempted. It seems the stronger your relationship with Christ, the stronger the temptations may be. (See Paul.) Paul encourages us to put on the armor of God. The whole armor. Lord knows you’ll need it.
- Pastor Bill
No comments:
Post a Comment