TODAY’S READING: Ephesians 6:10-13
KEY VERSE:
“Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” EPH 6:11
Over the next few days, we are going to look at putting on the armour of God. You can’t take a stand in your underwear, yet many of us go headlong into battle half naked and ill-prepared! Your enemy is a schemer and he does not fight fair so in order to take your stand, you need to be equipped!
In the famous battles of North Africa during the Second World War, two great military leaders went head to head. The British Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery - known as ‘Monty’ - was leading the attack against the German General, Erwin Rommel. Many tactics that Monty employed in Africa are also useful to us as we take our stand against the devil and his schemes.
- Know your enemy
While Rommel planned the battle and prepared his unstoppable Panzer divisions, Monty studied his enemy and knew that he would attack from the south so when the first attack came, Monty stood firm and won a decisive victory. Our enemy, the devil, has many schemes that he has employed since the dawn of time. He is deceitful and will attack your most vulnerable flank with his lies! He is a thief, the accuser, the tempter and our adversary and even disguises himself as an angel of light! If you know his names, you will recognise his schemes. Intelligence in battle is vital.
- Rely on air support
When Monty arrived in Africa, the air force base was seven miles from the Eighth Army Headquarters. He joined the two together as he knew air support was vital to defeating the enemy. Our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. To take our stand we need heaven’s support in the battle and that means getting on our knees in prayer every day and throughout the day. We must bombard the enemy with prayers. Pray unceasingly - make your whole life a prayer! When the enemy attacks, make sure your prayer-life is operational so that heaven comes to fights for us.
- Training, training, and more training
Monty was famous, in England and Africa, for his regime of training, training and more training. For us to take our stand, we need to be trained in the Word every day. The Word is for training in righteousness. Every day get the Word of God into our heart so that we can go on the offensive against our enemy. By reading the Word every day - and doing what it says - we will be trained for battle. We will see the power of that Word unfold before us when we read accounts such as when Jesus went head to head with Satan. His first response, when being tempted was, “It is written” (Matthew 4.4)
Jesus told us that as Christ-followers, battles were inevitable and part of the Christian life so it is essential that we remain battle-ready at all times and take our stand against the schemes of the devil.
Lord Jesus, as I take my stand against the devil’s schemes, help me to fight this fight prepared and defended by you. I remind myself that you have defeated Satan and have conquered sin and death. I pray that I fight in that victory and keep myself alert and ready as the devil prowls around my life and my family. Today, I take my stand with you as I walk in your victory. Amen
ACTION STEPS
• Read the Ephesians 6:10-13
• Reflect how the enemy has consistently attacked you.
• Make a battle plan to place defences in these areas with the word of God and with good friends to stand with you.