Sunday, July 25, 2021
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand the wiles of the devil. 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.” (Ephesians 6:11-12) Paul admonishes us to put on the whole armor of God in order to stand against the forces of hell.
It is clear that our warfare is not against physical forces, but against invisible powers who have clearly defined levels of authority in a real, though invisible, sphere of activity. Paul however, not only warns us of a clearly defined structure in the invisible realm, he instructs us to take up the whole armor of God in order to maintain a “battle-stance” against this unseen satanic structure.
All of this armor is not just a passive protection in facing the enemy; it is to be used offensively against these satanic forces. Note in the 18th verse, Paul is directing that we are to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Thus, prayer is not so much a weapon, or even a part of the armor, as it is the means by which we engage in the battle itself and the purpose for which we are armed.
To put on the armor of God is to prepare for battle. Prayer is the battle itself, with God’s Word being our chief weapon employed against Satan during our struggle. God is calling us to do battle and not to hunker down waiting to do battle, but instead, He is calling on us to do “Seek and Destroy” operations.
You are loved, Pastor Don
Cornerstone Worship Center 