If you are reading through the Bible in one year, you will read Ephesians 6 in the course of the week. This week's devotionals are all around the theme of The Armour of God taken from that chapter.
Paul closes his letter to Ephesians with an image that would have been a familiar sight to his readers: a Roman soldier dressed in armour. You are to wear armour, he says, because you are also engaged in a fight.
Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish 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.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Ephesians 6:14-18
I'm guessing that on most days our choice of what to wear is decided by a) what will be comfortable or b) what will look good. Not many of us 'dress defensively' (at least not until the cold and rain of winter sets in). Paul encourages us to wear spiritual armour and I have found it a helpful habit to begin my prayer time each day mentally running through this check list.
One weapon: the word of God which is the sword of the Spirit.
Two items of clothing: one to hold everything in place, the belt of truth and one to help me move from place to place, the shoes of peace.
Three items that defend me: the helmet, the breastplate and the shield.
God has provided everything necessary for me to be protected and effective. 'Putting on' the armour of God reminds me that I'm not meandering about aimlessly but I am purposefully engaged in battle. I can be engaged joyfully and cheerfully because I know ultimately that the outcome of this battle has already been settled but never the less, I am in a battle: 'a life or death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels' (v13 in The Message)
Two thoughts for today and one question to think about during the week:
STAND - vvs 13 and 14 have the word 'stand' in three places. Our position must therefore be important. I think it's not literally standing but rather it means 'not yielding, not fleeing, maintaining our ground'.
Where are you being tempted today to give up on a situation? Don't give up, stand your ground.
TRUTH – we are held together by the fact that the Good News is true. It's not an interesting idea, it's not one of many possible things that people believe. It is the truth. What's more it holds us, we do not cling on to it.
Think of one aspect of God's nature – what does difference does that truth make to you today?
Finally be asking yourself all week: what am I wearing this armour for, what am I actually meant to do once I've got it on? What activity is so dangerous, that God would ask me to wear all this gear? (I'll give you my answer to that question on Friday)
Sheila Bridge
Read the Bible in a year: Psalm 112:1-10, Isaiah 63:1-65:16, Ephesians 4:17-5:7
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