Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
EPHESIANS 6:10-17 | Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Paul had to fight against mishaps and mistreatment, from shipwrecks to jailings and beatings. In Acts, he is falsely accused by a Jewish faction in Jerusalem and is taken before a tribune, then the Jewish council, and the governor and then local King Agrippa, finally being sent to Rome because of his appeal to the Emperor. So many courtroom scenes and battles.
But underneath and beyond his human conflicts, Paul knew there was a deeper struggle with the evil one.
Read his description of this deeper battle from Ephesians 6.
All true spiritual work elicits opposition from the evil one. Do you agree?
