Friday 01 August 2008
- Bible Book:
- Ephesians
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (v.10–11)
Background
The apostle Paul was certainly a learned and wise man. But Paulknew that any wisdom or understanding he possessed came from God inChrist. To the Church at Corinth Paul wrote "For I decided to knownothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (
When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians nothing had changed forhim with respect to the source of wisdom. What had changed were hiscircumstances - Paul was in prison. As a prisoner awaiting Romanjustice, it should come as no surprise that Paul used the veryarmour worn by his prison guards to describe God's strength -truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation. And to what enddo we need the armour of God? To help defend us "against the wilesof the devil".
Whether or not we believe in an anthropomorphic (human form)'devil', the fact remains that there is a power of evil. This poweris not only alive in the world at large but alive in us if we donot fight it with goodness and wisdom. Be it money, power, drugs orwhatever, there is much to tempt us into sin.
Paul's letter to the Ephesians is full of confidence. Paul couldwrite with such confidence because he himself relied on the armourof God. And in such reliance lies true wisdom.
To Ponder
How far do you rely primarily on your ownstrength, only seeking God's strength when your own resourcesfail?
Paul names the armour of God as truth,righteousness, peace, faith and salvation. Which of these do youmost need to protect you at this time in your life?