Day Five Ephesians 6:10-12
10 ”A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:10-12 (NLT)
Learn From the Word
In this letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul says to stand firm against the strategies of the devil. What are those strategies? Satan wants nothing more than for us to view fellow human beings as the enemy rather than the true enemy of this world – Satan himself. A closer look at the root of our judgment often reveals a false view of other people as our enemy.
Put It Into Practice
God gives us a way to fight the strategies of the devil and it’s Him. He's stronger and He will have the ultimate victory. If you're a follower of Jesus, His Spirit lives in you, giving you the power you need to be discerning to the devil’s strategies and see clearly. Take some time now to do what Paul instructs later in this same chapter: “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Pray for God to keep your heart soft to anyone with flesh and blood.
For Families with Kids at Home
When people treat us poorly or wrong us, it’s tempting to think of them as our enemy. But the apostle Paul tells us that while we do have an enemy, our enemy isn’t people; it’s Satan! The truth is that all of us are made in the image of God, and Satan wants to keep us divided and distracted.
Ask your kids: who is someone in your life who is difficult to love? Pray together that God would soften their heart towards that person and give them opportunities to show God’s love.