People of Light
People of Strength – Part III
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20
Key Verse: Ephesians 6:12
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Continuing from yesterday’s devotional, the third part of God’s armor to have so we can win our spiritual battles is:
for shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. (Ephesians 6:15).
That is why Jesus told us:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27b).
Can you see the challenge Jesus has for us with the words “do not let”?
It is up to us whether we enjoy God’s peace, or we listen to the lies of the evil one and live in turmoil and fear!
Sometimes we feel helpless to fight off the fears that fill our minds. As People of Light, we must demand that our fears do not control our minds. We must fight the enemy with our “shoes of peace”.
You might think that because I am a pastor that I do not battle fear. I do battle fear. But I do not cave to it. I fill my mind with all the scriptures that I know and claim the peace they bring.
The Holy Spirit helps us to remember just the right scriptures we need at any given moment.
Let me illustrate the importance of this peace with a common experience. Our car starts making noises that we know are not right. If that happens to a good auto mechanic, his mind is not full of fear. The auto mechanic’s mind has much knowledge of cars and feels confident in fixing it. The mechanic’s mind does not have the fear that happens to us who are not mechanics.
That illustration hopefully helps us understand a little of why it is so important for us to wrap our lives with the “belt of truth” (knowledge of God’s promises). When we have the knowledge, our minds can immediately fight off fear and know we are going to be victors not victims! We never like the fact that troubles come our way, but we can keep our peace because we know we are victorious in Jesus’s Name.
This brings us to the fourth piece of God’s Armor, the “shield of faith”. We fill our minds with God’s truth, then we believe these truths.
I often do what the father in Mark 9:23-24 did:
“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Sometimes we simply must pray: “Father, please help me to believe”. God understands our weaknesses and helps us!
Father, I put on my armor and fight my battles as You have prepared me to do. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.