Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13; TNIVRecently I had a day (or somewhat more than a day) when I felt like I was slipping. Kind of like as in slipping out of God's hand, out of his will, away from his grace. Thankfully I honestly can't remember a day like that for quite some time, though some days seem especially beset with trouble.
We live during the time of the evil day, and certain days during this time, are especially evil, in our experience. This passage of Scripture from the Apostle Paul reminds us of this, and what we're to be and do because of that.
We're to remember that we are in no less than a spiritual battle. And some days, I believe, are especially blatant. Though every day is included. And the subtle can become deadly, if we're not awake and aware.
This evil day can come to us in the form of temptations to sin of any kind. Or as simply encountering troubles that would "drive us to our knees". And hopefully help us to reach out to God, as well as to a trusted friend in Jesus.
This is a reality, and part of our experience in the journey in Jesus in this world. Knowledge is often "half the battle". To be forewarned is to be forearmed, they say. And we must learn to avail ourselves, more and more, of the resources we have in the Lord. So we can stand, and hold our ground, and keep on keeping on, in the way of the Lord.
How is our spiritual warfare like the warfare we see waged in the world (Paul using this analogy from warfare in his own time)? How is it radically different? What is at its heart? And what other thoughts about living in"the evil day" might you like to share with us?
5 comments:
It is like war in the world in the sense that we come armed and ready...
yet, those "weapons" come to us not through our might, our abilities and strength, but through surrender and a rough path of humility... and we bear them by the hand of the Holy Spirit, not by our own hands... and our aim is life, not destruction.
There is more going on around and in us than meets the eye. Thanks, Ted, for this good reminder.
L.L., Very good words. The kind we need to hear.
John, So true. Thanks!
Ted:
Thanks for the comments.
The Bible itself makes no distinction between the supernatural and the nature; it's not as if the principalities and powers are in their own abode and visit us occasionally; they are here all the time. The Good news, however, is that God is with us too, and he is the one who will carry the day.
Yes, Allan. I realize the Bible makes no such distinction and that "supernatural" is a word associated with modernism.
However Satan came and tempted then left Jesus. We're told to resist the devil, then he'll flee from us. So while I think theology has alot of good to add to the more traditional understanding of principalities and powers, I think it's a mistake to deny personal entities that are arrayed in opposition against God (which I'm sure you're not doing).
I also don't like the dualism that denies the presence of everything together. Everything is here and in place and interwoven, surely. I also believe that.
Thanks for your thoughts.
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