Daily Devotional for Saturday November 6, 1999

Spiritual Warfare - Part II

(Ephesians 6:13-17)

God's protection plan. God, in His omniscience, knew that as we worked for Him we would face fierce attacks from satan. Therefore, He did not leave us without protection. Today's passage of scripture tells us about the armor of God, God's protection for His children as we battle each day. There are many eloquent and anointed teachings on this passage of scripture. Any message or book on spiritual warfare will give you a full and concise teaching on God's armor. My purpose here is to encourage you to use the protection God has provided as you battle the enemy each day. I do want to focus for a second on one aspect though. All of God's protection is defensive; however, God has provided us with one offensive weapon to fight with...His Word!!!!!

In past devotionals as I have ministered to you about overcoming sin in your life, I talked quite a bit about a battle plan. The most simple and effective battle plan I have ever found for battling sin on a daily basis has been to carry a small New Testament with me at all times. In those moments of weakness, as the attacks come, to pull it out and start reading, anywhere, and in just a few minutes know the sinful thoughts have fled because they can't stand up under the power of God's Word. I have always been a very offensive- minded person, not willing to just sit back and wait, so while I appreciate the defensive armor God has provided us with and I use it every day for protection, it is the Word of God I love so much because it is my best weapon in fighting the enemy. I can go into his backyard (the Internet) with no fear because God's Word tells me I am a conqueror. That with God with me, who can be against me. That I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen!!!!

I want to encourage you today that as you fight those spiritual battles in your life, use those defensive tools God has provided you with, but do not neglect the offensive weapon he gave you as well. It is time for God's people to get serious, quit being so passive, and get busy in confidence knowing that God has given them all they need to go out and lift His name up before this sinful and dark world. My friend, today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it....and go out and make a difference for HIM!!!!