Daily Devotional for Tuesday March 23, 2004

Spiritual Warfare - Part II - God?s Protection Plan

(Ephesians 6:13-17)

God, in His omniscience, knew that as we lived 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 fight the spiritual battles each day that we do. There are many eloquent and anointed teachings about this passage of scripture that will give you a full and concise teaching on God?s armor.

My purpose 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 and He has only given us one offensive weapon to fight with . . . His Word!!!!!

In past devotionals I have talked to you about overcoming sin in your life and having a battle plan. One of the most simple and effective battle plans I have ever found for handling those attacks that come throughout the course of a day is to carry a small New Testament at all times. In those moments of weakness when the attacks come, take it out, open it to any page and start reading. You will be amazed how in mere seconds those impure thoughts, the attacks on your mind, will be gone because they cannot 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. 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 our greatest weapon in fighting the enemy. I can go boldly right into his backyard (the Internet or secular television) with no fear because God?s Word tells me I am more than a conqueror. With God for me, who can be against me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen!!!!

I love you, care about you so much, and pray for you each day. God knows the battles we face each day in this evil and sin-filled world that we live in. That is why He provided us with the spiritual armor He has. He has given us the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our feet fitted with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation.

If you notice, there is nothing to protect your back. That is because God never intended for His children to RUN! You don?t need protection for your back when you are moving forward. 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 one offensive weapon He gave you as well . . . HIS WORD!

It is time for God?s people to get serious, to quit being so passive, and press forward in confidence knowing that God has given them all they need to go out and proclaim His Word in this sinful and dark world. I will be praying for you that no matter what the spiritual battles you are fighting in your life today may be, PRESS FORWARD. Christ has already won the victory on Calvary 2,000 years ago.

PRESS FORWARD, YOUR VICTORY IS JUST AHEAD!!!