“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10-11)
There are people who are so much into their jobs that there are quite oblivous of all the happening around them. Born at the height of Roman imperial military power the Apostle Paul was not immune to events around him and very often would draw certain examples from Roman military life to make a point. For instance once he noted to his mentee Timothy, “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer” ( 2 Timothy 2:4).
But why would Paul often draw his examples from military life? One thing he knew was that the Christian life was as much a battle and just as soldiers who are engaged in war have to be constantly on guard, so would he advise same for followers of Christ. Elsewhere he pointed to Believers, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm” ( Ephesians 6:12). And then cautioned, “Therefore put on the full armor 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…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” ( vv 13-17).
To be a Believer in Christ is to know you are ever at war against principalities that have been released by Lucifer to fight the kingdom of God on earth. From Moses to Joshua, down through the ages, the people of God have always been at war against the enemies dark schemes. They spare none!
Like them you can’t afford to relax but stand firm like a good soldier, remembering to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” ( vv 18).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, knowing how soldiers fight to win a battle, I pray I too may exercise the discipline to stay focused on you and be diligent in prayer, that I may overcome all the enemy’s dark schemes on my life, for victory in you, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
