Stand Your Ground

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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

The man of God being immersed in a daily spiritual battle is not an idea, it is a reality. Each man must be prepared. There are a few nuances to this struggle that are different than most. Paul lays out the differences in a straightforward way, making sense of how we ought to think differently as we prepare for battle. Most importantly, the language of the text suggests that this fight is imminent.

Note that the struggle is not against other human beings. There is an unseen world where beings rule and cosmic powers come into play. The whole armor of God is necessary, not if we face evil, but that we might stand our ground. The preparation begins when we understand what it is that we are up against. From there, it is crucial to take up an entire armor of God. And lastly, there must be a resolute mindset. “Therefore,” Paul says, “stand firm.”

DO THIS TODAY: Prepare your mind in prayer for the battle you will face.