But the helmet of salvation is hard and resistant to everything that rains down upon it from the air.Ī jubilant soul doesn’t become despondent. The spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places are only too happy to make trouble for believers, when given the chance. And yet, Abraham had not heard wrong he acted with boldness and valor because God had said it, and we all know what happened – Satan’s flaming darts simply glanced off the shield of faith.Īlso read: Abraham: Choosing faith in an impossible situation The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit In the position Abraham was in, every word would have struck him like a flaming dart. That’s how Satan preaches when a soul sets out to do a work of faith. You must have misunderstood a loving God could not possibly have given such a commandment!” You’ll be a murderer – yes, a murderer twice over. When Abraham went to Mount Moriah to sacrifice his son Isaac, Satan’s flaming darts might well have come at him in the form of words like these: “What do you think Sarah will say? Her heart will probably break, and that will be the sad end of a long and happy married life together. In every temptation, Satan sends his flaming darts into our mind, which has the power to decide whether we will obey God or give in to the lusts of the flesh. The shield of faithįaith always goes against our lusts. But even though it is readily available, we ourselves need to start using it, as in all things. The gospel of peace has the inherent ability to prepare us for battle. He mustn’t become touchy and sensitive at the opposition he encounters, like bare feet would be on glass and sharp stones. Likewise, the one who brings the gospel to others must be able to suffer hardship for the sake of the gospel. We don’t get very far walking with bare feet on glass and sharp stones, let alone trying to fight a battle on terrain like that – that is why our feet must be shod (protected). “… and having shod your feet with the preparation for battle that the gospel of peace provides.” Ephesians 6:15. May the same thing be said of us when Satan tries to sift us like wheat! Preparation for battle He was entitled to say this because He was clothed with the breastplate of righteousness. Jesus said, “For the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” John 14:30. Unrighteousness gives Satan power over the one who practices it. The powers of darkness stand ready to attack us at the least sign of unrighteousness. The accusations of Satan “roll off” personal righteousness like water off a duck’s back. Truth and righteousness are very closely related. Clothed with the breastplate of righteousness A lie, no matter how “little,” gives the powers of darkness an opening for attack, but the truth chases them far away. Because there is liberating power in each and every truth, the one who walks in the truth in all his ways will be set free. “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit …” Ephesians 6:14-18. He is anticipating an attack he is vigilant! We have to be alert, have our defenses up, and launch a full-blown attack to send him running! A person wearing the armor of God is not slack or indifferent to the forces that he knows will come. “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.” Ephesians 6:13. (Revelation 20:10) While he still can, he wants to take down as many as possible with him. However, he knows what is prophesied about him – that his bitter end is looming. He uses many strategies: from trying to convince us that following our lusts will bring happiness, to telling us that we are hopeless sinners, beyond help. Why do we need the armor of God? Satan has always been a formidable enemy of mankind, and countless people have succumbed to his attacks and cunning lies.
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