Know Your Enemy (Ephesians 6:10-20)
As we begin a new year, feelings of uncertainty and anxiety may have been pushed back a little as we hope that 2022 will be much better than 2021. The message from many of our leaders in power and mainstream media for the past two years has been one of fear, fear of sickness, and fear of death. If you are a child of God then you know or should know that we as children of God are in a full face war with darkness, evil, and fear. Fear causes anxiety, doubt, and confusion. But thank God, we can overcome and be victorious. “... in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)
As children of God, we must be alert and armed, because our enemy, the devil, wants to steal, kill, and destroy God’s children.(John 10:10) The enemy starts with our hopes and dreams to get us discouraged and wonder if God really cares for us and what is going on in the world. There are so many voices trying to influence us and our beliefs. Jesus said to be of good cheer and not be afraid. He has overcome the world. In this world, we will have trials and persecution, but when our confidence is in Jesus, we can “be of good cheer and have peace.” (John 16:33)
In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes to the church and tells them to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” He explains that we as Christians are like soldiers, but our warfare is spiritual and not physical. Roman soldiers in Paul’s time had to wear full armor for war to protect their vulnerable body parts. Since our warfare is spiritual, we must fully arm ourselves with the gospel of truth, righteousness, peace, and above all, take the shield of faith which will absorb all the fiery attacks from the enemy. When the enemy attacks your body with sickness or your mind and accuses you with thoughts like, “you are not good enough for God, you keep doing the same sins over and over, you will never achieve your dreams and goals,” then like a soldier, you have to put on the protective helmet called salvation. You have to know that Jesus is your salvation. Jesus loves you so much and He is there to save and deliver you.
Lastly, the armed soldier has both defensive and offensive weapons for warfare. They include the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and the act of praying always. (Eph 6:10-20) So if you want 2022 to be a great year, then wherever you are in your spiritual journey, make it a year where you stay alert and armed every day to fight off fear, evil thoughts of failure, protect your mind by knowing that you are truly loved by Jesus, and meditate on God’s Word for your situations and challenges in life. Pray by talking to God like a friend who is always with you. Jesus will never leave or forsake you.
Personal Development Tip of the week:
One more thing on fear… Anything that comes into your mind on a daily basis that is negative is an attack from the enemy. In knowing that we must act to speak victory over our life and not defeat.
God has given you authority over any attack from the enemy. (Read Luke 10:19.)
When you feel those attacks or negative thoughts arm yourself with the words and scriptures so that you can speak a victory and God’s blessings over your life.
Prayer for the week:
Father God be with me today and protect my mind to guard off any negative thoughts or attacks from the enemy. You have given me authority and I claim that authority right now in Jesus name amen.
-Dayne
PS. If you would like to support us consider checking out www.litwithprayer.com and picking up our devotional prayer journal to our new pieces of Christian-based Jewelry.
Do you know Jesus?
If you have never asked Jesus to be the leader of your life and forgive you of all your sins, this is the right time to act. Pray this simple prayer and believe it in your heart: “Dear God, Your Word says that You loved me so much that You sent Your Son Jesus to die on the cross for me. I want to be saved and have all my sins forgiven, past, present, and future. Forgive me now as I receive Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. You promised me salvation and an abundant life. I believe and receive Your free gift. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me grow stronger in You each day, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.” (John 3:16)
Know Your Enemy