Good morning. We are almost at the end of Ephesians. We have gone over some of this before. In addition to being strong in the Lord, we are to put on the full armor of God that we may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. That is why we need this armor. It is to defend ourselves; not against knives and swords but against the schemes of the devil. He has had a long time to stockpile his armory. One may think one is smart enough to resist the devil – but that's when one is most vulnerable. The devil has fought many wiser and stronger than we are and has won. Our struggle is not against man (the seen), but against the rulers, the powers, the world forces of this darkness, the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (the unseen). Too many times we think it is that particular individual who is our enemy. That is why we need the full armor of God to resist in the evil day. And just what is the evil day – any day in which we have to confront evil. Of course Paul was probably talking about a specific day in the future. We need that armor every day. And after doing all we can do we – stand firm! Paul then talks about the different pieces of armor that we are to put on: truth, righteousness, preparation of the gospel of peace, and the shield of faith. That shield of faith is so we can extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. How could a shield extinguish flaming arrows? I am not sure this is what he's talking about, but at one time they made shields out of thick leather. Before a battle they would soak them in water. Then if a flaming arrow stuck in the shield, it would not catch the shield on fire – it would go out. Finally taking the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. This is the only thing mentioned that is a weapon. The rest is for defense. Remember in the book of Hebrews that it also talks about the word of God being a sword. Father thank You that the reader is strong in You. He/she stands firm against the schemes of the devil. He/she puts on the full armor of God. He/she wields the sword of the Spirit mightily, and is an overcomer.

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