This time I want to remind all of us about the importance of the Bible’s teachings – practical application. I’ll admit I don’t always want to stop what I’m doing and participate in Bible studies. But when I overcome laziness, I always get more than I expected.
Reading about the weapons of God (Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 6:10-18) in the Bible class with our pastor Anna I had a strong thought… Do I know how to use this unique equipment against evil?
We Christians undeniably know about them but what would be the answer to the questions – Are you ready for the fight? Do you know how to use the weapons given by God? Do you know when to use each of them? Which one will be more effective? And the main thing! Is your God – given battle gear always at hand?
I don’t know the real reason for the parables that came to my mind after reading the Bible verses…Maybe it was influenced by the fact that our pastor is an army chaplain and I work in a school…But in the struggle with Satan with the evil that he creates I clearly saw our shortcomings. Even experienced Christians are like rookies when dealing with this insidious, cruel evil… This is proven by how even the most faithful servants of God stumble and fall in sin.
By reading these lines you thought proudly – “I know how to do it.” Feel like a corporal, captain? …Allow me to ask you – how many fellow human beings have you told how to do it properly? How many have you helped?
I can understand that many will not like the comparison with the army. But the Word of God says that we are soldiers of Christ! If you do not feel the attacks of the evil one, if you do not see how, it entered and attacked the world then, sorry, you do not live on earth…
And so – wise and experienced leaders do not send unprepared, untrained recruits into the battle. It would be deliberately giving them up to perish, handing them over to the enemy. They will lose the battle even if they are armed to the teeth, but will not learn how to use their weapons… Or they will pull out their white flag of surrender and march straight into the destruction..
I will lose the battle with evil, I will lose the battle with sin, if I do not learn how to properly use each of the spiritual weapons God has given me. I sometimes lost courage in the fight against evil, capitulated to sin, confused as to what to do at the time of the attack. Forget about the use of the equipment. I still feel like a new soldier in the fight against evil. I would like to be thoroughly trained BECAUSE:
…“For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 6: 12-13
Let’s help each other understand how to “gird yourself with the truth”, “put on the breastplate of righteousness”, “take the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit”, “put on the helmet of salvation”.
Where and how can you get all this? How to distinguish prayers from being in intercession?
Those who know the answers should pray like Paul:
“..may God gives me the right words when I have to open my mouth to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.”
And let’s bless each other! Let’s share words of blessing as the Holy Scriptures teaches because when we bless we distribute God’s Love! And in conclusion the words of blessing that “fell” in my heart:
“May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 6:24
