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"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(1 Corinthians 15:57)
Jesus is stronger. He has conquered Satan and all the hosts of hell. He gives us the strength to win every battle that comes our way. Our enemy hates us and will do all in his power to tempt us to sin so that we dishonor the name of Jesus, damage our witness, and bring shame to the Church. Two things I do every morning to help prepare me for the spiritual battles and temptations that will come to me are, I read a chapter in the book of Proverbs, and I put on the full armor of God.
During our prayer meeting at our church last week, I asked some men and women to publicly read portions from Ephesians 6 and then pray over these texts.
Ephesians 6:10-13:
10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
It is vital, if we are to experience victory over Satan and his demons, that we daily put on the full armor of God. Notice two times the Word tells us to do precisely this. The pieces of armor do not automatically attach to us. We must put them on! How do you do that? You pray the Word of God specifically and ask God to help you suit up.
Ephesians 6:14-15:
14 "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace."
The first component of our spiritual armor is the belt of truth. When I spiritually put this on each morning, I ask God to help me. The verse I pray related to the belt of truth is John 8:32, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Next, I pray and put on the breastplate of righteousness, that I would be pure and holy in all that I do. I pray Leviticus 19:2, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy."
Then I pray for my feet to be ready to go and share the gospel. At this time, I pray and ask God to help me be ready in season and out of season, and then I quote in my prayer 1 Peter 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."
We will continue in tomorrow's devotion with the remaining pieces of spiritual armor that we must put on every day.
How are you doing in your daily battles against Satan? He is strong, but Jesus is stronger. There is no comparison. The Lord has given us all we need to do battle and come out victorious every time. Keep suiting up and putting on the armor of God!
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