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.
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 realms.
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.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, 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.
Ephesians 6:10 - 17
I pretty sure I leave some of my accessories in the closet most mornings.
Walking into the day half dressed and not at all ready to face the world.
I go into battle unprepared and God has to bail me out....every time.
I fall for these schemes of the devil over and over and over.
doubt
fear
worry
I believe the lies
"you aren't good enough"
"you aren't pretty enough"
"things will not work out"
"He won't take care of you"
And when I know that I failed the most is when I forget that there is even a battle going on and I get caught up in the failing promises of this world.
All armor is lost and I stand bare and vulnerable, lost in a hopeless place.
But His grace always, without fail, finds me.
How do you combat the schemes of the devil? Do you wear your full armor?
Such a struggle we face each day. I wonder if most of us don't go out into the world half dressed most days. I think the schemes of the devil are best fought with awareness. Knowing we are in a battle and being on our guard. When we hear that voice, our inner critic, that we recognize it as lies and we combat it with His truth. This has helped me, but it is a process.
ReplyDeleteChristy @ A Heartening Life
www.ahearteninglife.com
I'm learning more and more how vital it is that we are prepared to battle against all that comes against us(against God) these days! As it is written, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world...."! Only with the armor of God will we overcome!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Ann @ Christ in the Clouds
http://christintheclouds.blogspot.com/