Observation: Paul introduces his famous metaphor of the "armor of God" with the context of why Christians are in a struggle against an enemy. We are not in a bodily war, but in a spiritual fight against the devil and against the evil forces of the world.
He will go on to describe the armor and the elements we need - truth, righteousness, faith, evangelism, and the word of God - but here he is clear about why ... we are under attack by earthly rulers and authorities, cosmic or spiritual powers of darkness, and forces of evil.
Application: One of my best friends yesterday - whom I almost never talk about faith with - described the conditions of the last year, and especially the illogical current outcomes that refuse to move our society to exiting the situation, as "dark and evil." It was good to hear that he understood that this entire issue is not a simple matter of science or natural bad luck, but something supernatural, designed to harm mankind, and under an evil influence.
That said, I am clearly terrible at resisting evil ... at donning the armor of God. I do so in such public conversations as the idea of persisting evil in the world in general, but then succumb to personal attack. I allow evil into my life and my mind, and I become angry, lustful, and poor in spirit.
There is no way I can think of myself in any other way ... I am weak, and I am a poor and unprepared warrior in the fight against the devil. I need more of the Holy Spirit to help me with this. I can hold the sword of the Spirit, but I fail to wield it!
I need more of the Holy Spirit, because obviously I am not strong enough on my own.
Prayer: Lord, I ask you this day for more of you in my heart and in my life. I want your Spirit within me, and I want to humble myself to your Spirit in my daily thoughts and actions. I know I have some of your Spirit, but I want and need more. I hate who I am without you. Please, Lord, Holy Spirit come. Amen.
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