“My brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might,” Ephesians 6:10.
As a Christian, each of us should be strong in the Lord. Why? We must face some strong spiritual enemies, and with our own strength we are not capable of conquering them. Of whom are we speaking? We are speaking of the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh.
Yes, the devil is real, and in God’s Word we are warned: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith,” 1 Peter 4:12. Through the words of the apostle James, God tells us, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you,” James 4:7.
The world in which we live is also real, and in God’s Word we are told, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever,” 1 John 2:15-17.
Our sinful flesh is also real. The apostle Paul writes, “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells,” Romans 7:18. Again, Scripture tells us, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh,” John 3:6. We are sinful, born of sinful parents.
Now we are told to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. As we struggle against the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh, we must turn to the almighty God and to His almighty Word.
Following the text above in Ephesians 6, we are promised the weapons with which to battle against the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh. The apostle writes, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” Ephesians 6:11-17.
Today, as you battle against the devil, the world, and your own sinful flesh, be equipped like a good soldier with the Word of God. Pray to the Lord Jesus to give you the right words for every battle. Remember: He loves you, He redeemed you, He will keep you in the faith, and He keeps His promises.
“What is the world to me?
My Jesus is my Treasure,
My Life, my Health, my Wealth,
my Friend, my Love, my Pleasure;
My Joy, my Crown, my All,
my Bliss eternally.
Once more, then, I declare:
What is the world to me?” Amen.