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The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 32

Standing Strong in the Whole Armour Of God

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.

– Ephesians 6:13

Last week was a very intense one for me. My birthday was last week and I had an awesome celebration. However, I also had some unpleasant experiences with persons whom I care about and love dearly. Therefore, by yesterday I was overwhelmed and ambivalent about writing this morning’s devotional. Why was I overwhelmed and ambivalent? Because I once again let my guard down and was thinking too deeply about one particular situation, trying to solve it in my mind but not communicating with the significant others. Then last night I was talking with a friend who reminded me that I was once gain inside my head and I needed to get out of my head, see the situation for what it is, do what I can and don’t think about what I can’t do. This bit of encouragement helped me to refocus and reminded me that I am engaged in a perpetual spiritual warfare and I must be attired in the whole armour of God at all time. Even though I am attired in the whole armour of God I can’t afford to let my guard down. To say, “Well I am dressed in the whole armour of God so I am safe and I can go to sleep”, in the midst of a wrestle is lunacy. That attitude spells defeat. It therefore means that I have to be intentional and consistently guard my heart with all diligence. It took years for the enemy to setup strongholds in my mind and I realize renewing my mind is a process that I must daily engage in the Word of God.   

Having described the intensity of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:12, that is, the wrestle against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places, the Apostle Paul emphatically commanded believers in Christ, “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” (Ephesians 6:13).

In Ephesians 6:11 the Apostle Paul issued an urgent command to attire in the whole armour of God. Here in verse 13 he emphasized it as he stated, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God…” Why is there such an urgency in this command to take unto you the whole armour of God? It is of paramount importance to take unto you the whole armour of God so that “…you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

The devil is relentlessly waging war in the minds of believers. Once caught off guard without the whole armour of God, his intention is to steal, kill and destroy your life. Therefore you must ”be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (I Peter 5:8). He is the merciless enemy of your soul whose job description includes insistently assault your mind with lies until your mind is completely penetrated and your life adversely affected.

Likewise, you must determine in your heart and consistently attire and take unto you the whole armour of God. It is being attired in the whole armour of God that empowers you to withstand in the evil day, and to stand up to the devil even if he sends all of his demonic powers against you. Dressed in the whole armour of God with the knowledge of how, and the necessary skills to use them will assure you victory every time you go out to battle. This training can only come from the Holy Spirit as you engage in and saturate yourself with the Word of God and permeate your mind with God’s thoughts and the truths in His Words.  

What are you struggling with in your mind today? What lies are you believing from the enemy of your soul? You can successfully overcome the devil’s attacks on your mind today if you would take unto you the whole armour of God. Would you take it today?

God bless you!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father Oh how marvellously awesome You are! My soul magnifies Your great name Jesus. For You are holy. Thank You for being my Victor and enabling me with Your whole armour so that I can be victorious every time I am in combat with the enemy of my soul. I boldly declare today that I intentionally, determinately and consistently take unto myself and attire in the whole armour of God and I boldly stand against devil in the evil day. Therefore, I am assured victory continuously because Jesus is my Victor. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name with thanksgiving. Amen!