Daily Devotional in Ephesians 6
Daily Nugget:
Finishing his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds them of one important fact that they and we should never forget. We need to remember that there is a daily spiritual battle going on. We cannot see the enemy, or who the battle is against, but it constantly rages.
The battle is not between people that we think are the reason for our many conflicts. The root goes beyond those we do not get along with or those who seem to be making our lives miserable. We struggle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (vs. 12).
A “principality” is a supreme power and can be the territory of a prince. Since Satan is the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), and is the author of much spiritual wickedness, it is he that is often the instigator of many of the troubles we face. With this in mind, we need to remember our battle is not against our parents, a person we work with, our neighbor, or someone in church. Our battle originates spiritually, and it is often stirred up by satanic forces.
Because it is a real battle that we as Christians fight almost daily, we need to protect ourselves the way God says to. Our protection is not locking ourselves in our room and keeping away from everyone, and it is not by being nasty to those that are not treating us right. Since the battle is spiritual, we need to protect ourselves spiritually. This is done by:
There is a daily, spiritual battle going on. Too many have been wounded and are out of service for the Lord because they never armored-up for the spiritual war that is all around them. God knows best as to how we can survive and win no matter what is happening around us. The only way to win is to daily put on our spiritual armor.
Today’s Thought: When you are driven to your knees by the battle, pray there!
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 6
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10 ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 ¶ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. (KJV)
Finishing his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds them of one important fact that they and we should never forget. We need to remember that there is a daily spiritual battle going on. We cannot see the enemy, or who the battle is against, but it constantly rages.
The battle is not between people that we think are the reason for our many conflicts. The root goes beyond those we do not get along with or those who seem to be making our lives miserable. We struggle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (vs. 12).A “principality” is a supreme power and can be the territory of a prince. Since Satan is the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), and is the author of much spiritual wickedness, it is he that is often the instigator of many of the troubles we face. With this in mind, we need to remember our battle is not against our parents, a person we work with, our neighbor, or someone in church. Our battle originates spiritually, and it is often stirred up by satanic forces.
Because it is a real battle that we as Christians fight almost daily, we need to protect ourselves the way God says to. Our protection is not locking ourselves in our room and keeping away from everyone, and it is not by being nasty to those that are not treating us right. Since the battle is spiritual, we need to protect ourselves spiritually. This is done by:
- Being filled with the truth from the Word of God. It is the only thing that will shed real light on where the battle is, and what it is actually about (vs. 14). One cannot be full if one does not read it!
- Purpose in your heart to live righteously; no matter what happens in your life (vs. 14).
- Walk in the way the Gospel commands, not altering your direction just because everyone else is walking in the opposite direction (vs. 15).
- Let faith and trust in what the Word of God says lead you and protect you from what you may think will happen (vs. 16).
- You have a new mind in Christ when you are saved (I Cor. 2:16). Let holy thinking and decision making guide you(vs. 17).
- All the above are spiritual “armors”. One defensive weapon in a Christian’s arsenal is their knowledge and use of the Word of God (vs. 17). Obedience and the following of God’s commandments, recorded in its pages, will be how we are delivered from spiritual challenges and battles.
- The other defensive weapon a Christian has is his ability to reach the throne room of heaven in prayer. Since it is a spiritual battle, it takes our spiritual Father to often fight and get involved in our dilemmas (vs. 18).
There is a daily, spiritual battle going on. Too many have been wounded and are out of service for the Lord because they never armored-up for the spiritual war that is all around them. God knows best as to how we can survive and win no matter what is happening around us. The only way to win is to daily put on our spiritual armor.
Today’s Thought: When you are driven to your knees by the battle, pray there!
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 6
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10 ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 ¶ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. (KJV)
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