ETERNITY

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Well Equipped For Victory

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

Key Verse:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” ~ Ephesians 6:10-11

In the lifelong struggle with temptation and natural desire, believers are told to “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ. This becomes a daily activity by which you decide who is going to live your life for you today. Are you going to live in the “flesh”, or is Jesus going to have the privilege of living His life through you?

People have different terms for “flesh”, but simply put, it is the natural part of each person that desires to operate in opposition to God. It usually manifests itself by challenging the restrictions that the Lord set for mankind’s good.

Once we are saved, we fluctuate between two mind-sets – that of the Spirit leading toward God, and that of the flesh leading away from God. While we will always retain old fleshly patterns of thinking, we do not have to succumb to living by them, because we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.

But since our two ways of thinking are in opposition to each other, conflict and warfare naturally result. We are in a real battle, which requires real weapons. The Lord has given us the helmet of salvation so that we will not surrender our minds to ungodly thinking. The breastplate of righteousness protects our emotions from giving way to natural desires. We also put on the belt of truth, which enables us to walk in keeping with godly principles rather than according to the flesh. And the Lord has provided a true shield of faith for us because there are actual darts of doubt.

In other words, we are at war, but we are well equipped for it. God always leads us in triumph!

Prayer:

Most gracious and wonderful Heavenly Father, thank You that You always lead me in triumph! Thank You for the weapons of spiritual warfare that assure my victory! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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Excerpt from: “Pathways To His Presence” ~ Charles F. Stanley