(5a) Protecting Ourselves From the Devil (Satan)

 


We give praise to the Lord for His faithfulness in strengthening and protecting us from Satan.  Fulfilling these promises requires us to be obedient to God's word.  In this first subsection of Ephesians 6:10-18, we review verses10-12:

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 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."

We are admonished to be "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."  In this passage, as well as in the passage captioned in the above image, we recognize that we have an All Powerful Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, through whom we are able to be strong.  In no circumstance should we ever dream of defending or protecting ourselves from Satan in our own strength. We are absolutely no match for Satan.   

In 2 Timothy 2:1, we read: "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."  God's grace is sufficient for us in every area of need. And God's grace is provided through His word.  We are also admonished to "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."  Note that when Jesus was tempted by Satan, He responded by using God's word.  As we pray to the Lord, we are able to confirm that His grace is sufficient.  His armor for us is entwined with His grace.  

His grace was sufficient to save us.  We read in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."  Just as His grace was sufficient to save us, His grace is sufficient to protect us from Satan.  

Why do we need the full armor of God in order to stand against the wiles of the devil?  Here is the big reason.  "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."  Spiritual hosts of wickedness are way outside of our control.  We have to be sheltered in Jesus, sheltered in His grace, and protected by His armor. One peace of armor is to arm ourselves by memorizing some verses in God's word such as Colossians 1:13: "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love."  

Not only are we delivered from Satan's power, but we are protected snugly in the love of Jesus.  This reminds me of Psalm 23 as well which begins with the words, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters... ." Memorize this entire Psalm if you have not yet done so!

Be on the lookout for our next Blog (5b) as we continue to look at another section of Ephesians 6:10-18.

 

  


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