photo #7552893

Millard Kinnison on October 28, 2024

2 views

Together in Christ: 'Realizing We Are at War' — Ephesians 6:10-12

Monday, October 28, 2024

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 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.

— Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT

Key Thought...

Not all relationships are a blessing! As we follow Christ, evil spiritual forces oppose us. These evil forces hate God and want to see all people enslaved to death and destruction rather than live in a world of God's goodness toward His human creations. [1] We need a close relationship with God and supportive relationships with fellow Christians to help us stand against Satan and his demonic hordes. Paul identifies these evil forces as principalities, evil rulers, and mighty powers of the dark world — what we call evil spirits and demons. [2] To deny the presence of these powers is to choose to be naive about the evil in our world and blind to the reality of how Satan's corruption has broken much of creation. [3] But the world and the evil one who dominates it are destined for destruction. [4] God has a new heaven and a new earth planned for us, the fully realized Kingdom of God where righteousness and love abide, the eternal home for God's children who are faithful to Him. [5]

As Jesus' followers, we must be confident yet prepared for battle. We do not need to be afraid. Our victory is assured because of Jesus' death and the defeat of hell through His faithfulness to the Father and His resurrection from the dead with power as God's Son. [6] The One within us is more powerful and greater than these evil minions of hell alive in the world and allied against us. [7] So, let's pay attention to the armor we are given for the battle [8] and keep our hearts focused on Jesus. He is returning for us in God's glory, a glory in which we will share! [9]

[1] Mark 5:1-13; Luke 13:16; John 8:44.

[2] Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:13-15.

[3] Matthew 13:37-39; John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11, 17:14-17; Ephesians 6:10-12.

[4] Romans 8:19-25; 1 John 2:15-17.

[5] 1 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-2.

[6] Romans 8:31-38; 1 Corinthians 15:21; Colossians 2:12-15; 1 Peter 1:3.

[7] 1 John 4:3-4.

[8] Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

[9] Colossians 3:1-4.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, ruler of all nations, peoples, and powers, those seen and unseen, I honor and love You with all I am. Fill me with confidence in my ultimate victory over sin, death, and hell because of Jesus' work through the Holy Spirit in me. I pledge to resist Satan and know he will run from me because of Your power at work in me and because Jesus has defeated the evil one and the host of hell through the cross and the resurrection. Thank You for this victory. I will continue my fight against evil until Jesus returns in glory! Amen.