How to Fight When We Haven't Any Fight Left - Denise Pass
Hope Discovery of the Day:
Fighting is easier when we know that God is fighting for us!
Scripture of the Day:
Eph. 6:11-17
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Whether or not we recognize it, we are in the battle of our lives. Daily, moment by moment, an unseen warfare is ongoing. Sometimes it distracts us. Sometimes it claims our peace. Sometimes it claims our lives or souls. And sometimes we just don’t feel like fighting. Maybe we realize we are in a spiritual battle but are unwilling to face the enemy of our souls because we are just tired. Ever felt that way? Maybe we don’t realize the power we have at our disposal in God’s Word . . .
The Sword of the Spirit
God’s Word provides the weapons we need for our warfare. Facing our enemy is not about utilizing our strength. It is not about mustering up our willpower. It is about accessing the extravagant grace of God and using His powerful truths to shatter the deception and provocation of our enemy. His Word pierces our hearts and reveals what is hidden. We do not have to be in ignorance.
The Belt of Truth
When God exposes the lies we have been enslaved to, we can choose to put on His truth, instead. Walking in His truth, we have a filter to be able to discern the battles surrounding us.
Breastplate of Righteousness
Our hearts can lead us astray, but armed with the knowledge of the truth that we are righteous in God’s eyes, we silence the voice of the enemy and take on Christ’s righteousness, instead. We don’t have to waste time with false condemnation.
Shield of Faith
We have to resist the arrows that come our way and extinguish them with faith. God’s promises are sure. He will complete the work He has begun in us. He will use everything in our lives for our good and His glory. This weapon, like the others ~ is given to us, if we will just ask. When we don’t have the faith, He will give us the faith we need.
Helmet of Salvation
The battle is truly in the mind. All that goes on in this world first crosses the gateway of our minds. Will we allow thoughts to go unchecked? Or will we surrender them all to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Taking captive thoughts that are ungodly or condemning and putting on the knowledge of our salvation helps us to overcome.
Ready Feet
Our enemy tries to stop us in our tracks. Having our feet fitted with the Gospel, ready to share God’s kindness, we will be a target, but ready feet have a purpose – they are not just getting caught up in battles. They move on.
God has given us His Word, truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, and salvation so His people are not left without a defense. God has us covered from head to toe. We are not alone. Ultimately, we can rest in Him, because the battle is the LORD’s and He already won! He fights our battles for us. Fighting is easier when we know that God is fighting for us!
Sweet Savior, thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit to illumine our minds and for giving us tools to resist evil. May we honor You in how we handle conflict and see the real battle at hand.
