September 28

Written By Marj Lancaster

Isaiah 54:1-57:14 | PS 70:1-5 | Prov 24:8 | Eph 6:1-24

As long as Satan can effectively keep our eyes off of the true battleground, he wins. We need to remember what is said in 1 John 4:4, "...He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world", but how often we take our eyes off of the true enemy and onto someone or something else. We live at a time where Satan is literally infiltrating every segment of society, where sin is applauded and righteousness is maligned. We are surrounded by leaders, and movements, and philosophies, which are godless and rival the most evil times of history. But, what are we doing? If we close our eyes and think about it, do we envision a person, or people, or a sinful movement which causes us to clench our fists? The true enemy is working behind the scenes through his vessels or puppets. If Satan can get us to focus on his vessels, then we will fight back in the flesh where he has the advantage. If we can see the spiritual battle for which it is, then we have the advantage, as Satan is no match for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

We read in Ephesians 6:11-12, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Notice there is nothing vague about this. Our fight is against Satan and his demonic horde. All of those people who are doing his bidding are simply his vessels. We are told what our armor is in 6:14-18, "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—".

Notice, we are to put on the whole armor of God, not those parts that we want to. Many have no problem praying, but never open the Word of God. That is not putting on your full armor. Many like to state how others will notice their good actions, but never bring up the gospel message in conversation, that is not putting on your full armor. I have no doubt that Satan is using every resource imaginable to bring us down. Are we using every resource to represent God, as His vessels? This battle is real and it is raging. We would all do well to get our eyes off of the superficial and onto the true battleground. Just as David realized the battle was almost unfair against Goliath, when he approached the contest armed with God, so can we approach each and every encounter that we face on a daily basis.

Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley:

Marj Lancaster
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September 27