[Printable version]
[Also published in Nuggets for the Needy]
Omega Message – February 1986
Mavis M. duCille
Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
For several weeks these words keep ringing in my heart, so one day I decided to see what enlightenment the Lord had in store. It seems clear on reading from verse one to the end of the chapter that these are walking truths or instructions for our daily lives – a paragon by which our attitudes can be shaped or measured.
First children are exhorted to obey parents, then wives to submit to husbands, then parents not to provoke their children, but treat them with love. The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God, therefore whatsoever is done in anger cannot produce fruit of righteousness; Masters treat your slaves kindly, for us it would be, employers treat your employees kindly; slaves be subject to your masters, or employees be subject to your employer, as unto Christ.
The marital status in our society has deteriorated tremendously from, “love and cherish, honor and obey,” to hate and ill-treat, disrespect and disregard. Children are rebellious instead of being obedient to parents who gave them life; parents abuse instead of loving and nurturing their children. Masters or employers cheat and exploit servants and employees, while employees do not give full measure or faithful service – we could go on and on.
These manifestations however are signs of the times: The word enjoins us to “…redeem the times for the days are evil.”
People of God! It is time for the world to see that having Jesus Christ in our hearts makes a difference in every area of our lives. The Holy Spirit is willing and ready to guide every facet of our lives if we are willing to let go of our soulishness – Using our own mind, emotions, will and desires – instead of seeking the will of the Lord. We should desire to be guided by the Holy Spirit in all matters pertaining to our home, work and all other involvements. THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD, and we are always under His watchful eye.
Verse 10: “Finally my brethren be STRONG…” When believers walk carelessly, they are robbed of the strength and authority that is within the Holy Spirit. “I give unto you power above the power of the enemy.” This is conditional to obedience to the Spirit of Christ. If a battery has a leak, then it looses power. When Christians do things contrary to righteousness, they are submitting to another spirit which drains their power and divests them of their authority through the Holy Ghost, with little or no overcoming.
It is not enough to say, “JESUS IS LORD.” We have to make Him Lord and King over every detail of our daily lives. There are battles being waged in the heavenlies over us and the people of God must have the victory. We are exercised first in small things. ‘If we cannot contend with footmen, how will we contend with horses, and what will we do in the swelling of Jordan?’
The verses above 10 seem to point out a few possible weaknesses in our every day living and how to overcome them, so that we might be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. It is a walk of the Spirit. The verses after ten tells us how we can be STRONG and overcome, having the helmet of Salvation; the shield of faith which quenches the fiery darts of the enemy; the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, and our loins girded with truth and our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
The armor described above is not for lying down; it is for STANDING. It is not for sitting idly by; it is for fighting. It covers the head, the forehead and the back of the neck – the helmet of salvation. The mind is protected by our salvation – He gives us the “Spirit of a sound Mind.”
The shield of faith is a defensive weapon to turn back the lightening bolts which the enemies sometimes throw at us. Righteousness is a breastplate of the Spirit. That which misses the shield, and is not parried by the sword, is turned away by the breastplate. The sword is the only offensive weapon in our armory. The power of the spoken word is far beyond what we can at this time imagine. The word says the “He spoke” and it was done. The words of our mouth have the power of life and death. Let us keep the word of God in our hearts and on our lips. Loins girded with truth will help us stand upright, and feet shod with that special mixture or preparation of the Gospel of peace will help us not only to walk but to run the race with patience.
Be not afraid of the roaring of the lion, for the power of His might is greater than that of the roaring lion. Like Daniel let us say “…my God whom I serve continually shall deliver me.”
No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper.
Sonlight Devotional 