by: Plow & Crown (Matthew Blatchley)
matt@plowandcrown.com
1 Peter 5:8-9 & Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV)
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith..."
— 1 Peter 5:8-9"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."
— Ephesians 6:11
Greetings, my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Every day we are engaged in a spiritual battle, whether we recognize it or not. Peter tells us to be sober-minded and watchful because our adversary is actively looking for opportunities to weaken us, discourage us, tempt us, and pull our eyes away from Christ.
Paul tells us how we stand against those attacks: put on the whole armor of God.
The enemy doesn't always attack in obvious ways. Sometimes the battle comes through temptation, anger, resentment, fear, discouragement, pride, or simply becoming so consumed with the things of this world that we lose sight of eternity.
That's why we must stay spiritually awake.
But notice that neither Peter nor Paul tells us to live in fear. Peter says "resist him." Paul says "stand."
We don't have to run from the enemy because our confidence isn't in our own strength. Our confidence is in Christ. We stand firm in faith because the One who lives within us is greater than the one who is in the world.
Brothers, prepare yourself before the battle comes. Stay in God's Word. Pray. Guard your mind. Watch your heart. Don't entertain the thoughts and temptations that can slowly pull you away from the Lord.
And when the attack comes, stand.
When you're tempted—stand.
When you're discouraged—stand.
When you're angry—stand.
When you're afraid—stand.
When the world tells you to compromise—stand.
"Spiritual warfare doesn't always look dramatic. Sometimes the greatest victories happen in quiet moments when a man chooses obedience over temptation, forgiveness over bitterness, faith over fear, and Christ over the world. Stay alert. Put on the armor God has provided. Resist the enemy. And stand firm."
May the Lord strengthen you today. The battle is real, but so is our victory in Christ. Don't fight in your own strength. Stay close to the Savior, stand firm in your faith, and encourage the brothers beside you to do the same.
Hand on the plow. Eyes on Christ. Heart on eternity.
