Be Strong in the Lord (Part I)

Behind the world we see, hear and feel, there is another reality which is unseen.  It is a spiritual dimension, where we know God reigns and is at work in lives.  But it is also a dimension where there is a great darkness, where a war is being waged.  A battle where Satan and his demons are at work against God’s people.    This spiritual dimension is not seen with our eyes, but is understood and accepted by faith, faith which tells us that the way God’s word describes things is real.

The Bible tells us that our battle in life is not “against flesh and blood” but against “dark forces.” (Ephesians 6:12)   Fortunately, God has not left us alone to fight this battle, but has given His people the tools and weaponry to be victorious.    In Ephesians 6:10 we see how God’s word reminds us that the only way we will be able to take a stand is “in the Lord and the might of His power.”  Ephesians then invites us to “put on the whole armor of God,” which includes both protective armor and weaponry to attack.  This week we will look at three pieces of the armor of God—truth, righteousness and the gospel of peace, with which we are invited wear in our our stand against evil.

The belt of truth comes through the knowledge of God's word.  Jesus told us in John 8:31 "if we would abide in His word we would know the truth and the truth would set us free."  Truth is what enables us to see the emptiness of sin and ideas that lead us away from God and the full life He promised.  The breastplate of righteousness is primarily our righteousness in Christ that enables us to stand against the accusations of the devil that tell us we are guilty, unworthy and have no standing before God.  Christ's work alone at the cross has secured our righteousness and now we need to remind ourselves that we are holy and blameless in God's sight.  (Ephesians 1:3)

We will finish here with one more piece of armor, shoes that represent our readiness to declare the gospel of peace.  Here we find one of our purposes here on earth, to declare the praises of Him who delivered us from the domain of darkness. (I Peter 2:9).  This will lead us to living our life without God's purpose and lead us from the temptation of living for the world and its pleasures.  So let us put on the full armor of God and take our stand against the evil one.