Day - 279

Stand against the devil’s schemes

_Read: Jeremiah 3,4; Psalm 97; Ephesians 6_

*Scripture:* Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

 *Observation:* In Ephesians 6, Paul shares his final thoughts about spiritual warfare. Satan never worries about nominal Christians who are not posing any danger to his reign. As Spurgeon says, “Satan never kicks a dead horse.” When we live in Christ and for Christ, we are in a spiritual battle against Satan. Every Christian needs to take a stand against the devil’s schemes. Generally, when we see the strength of the enemy, we think about our strategy and weapons. Here, as Paul writes, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood.” The first step to standing and fighting against Satan’s invisible attacks is to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Depending on our strength and might would be insufficient for us to face our spiritual enemy. We may soon become exhausted, lose all our energy, and be victims of the devil’s attack. A Christian says, “Self-sufficiency in spiritual struggles is spiritual suicide.” Our God helps us to triumph in Christ (2 Cor.2:14). We need to rely on the power of God in our spiritual battle against the devil.

The second step in our fight against the devil is the need to “put on the full armor of God.” Paul gives the details of God’s full armor in Eph.6:14-17. We should not allow the devil to attack any vulnerable areas of our lives. In the full armor of God, there are weapons to defend ourselves and attack the enemy. To defeat Satan, we must be careful to wear all of them. We know what areas of our lives need special attention. It doesn’t mean that other areas require no protection. As soldiers of God, we should not allow the devil to claim any victory in our lives. Let us remember that our weapons have “divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Cor.10:4). However, we should not underestimate the devil. He “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet.5:8). When we resist the devil in faith and when we trust God’s strength and power, “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom.8:37). “For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor.2:11).

*Application:* I trust God and his power for a successful spiritual life and in my fight against the devil. God gives me the strength to defeat Satan and his schemes. I rely on God and his power. I will always resist the devil and will not allow any of his evil schemes to succeed in my life. I have put on the full armor of God. I stay right under the blood of Jesus Christ; The devil can do me no harm.

*Prayer:* Father God, thank you for the weapons you give me to fight against the devil. Lord, help me trust you always and be a successful Christian in my spiritual life every day. Amen.

✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️  Day –  279