We Christians "put on the armor of God so that" we "may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil" (Eph 6:11). Our goal in battle is to hold our ground and stand fast (Eph 6:13-14). The devil's goal in battle is to get us to move away from the place to which God has called us so he can manipulate us.
If we are in the right place at the right time, we are anointed with the power of God. In that God-given place, we are invincible if we remain in a state of grace. Accordingly, the devil's goal is to deceive, push, and pressure us to give an inch. When we are out of place, even slightly, we no longer draw our "strength from the Lord and His mighty power" (Eph 6:10), but are on our own. Relying on ourselves, we are no match for the devil, and we can't even claim the victory Jesus has already won (see Jn 15:5).
For example, the devil tried to get Jesus to give an inch. Certain Pharisees told Jesus: "Leave this place! Herod is trying to kill You" (Lk 13:31). But Jesus refused to deviate in even the slightest way from doing His Father's will. Finally, while hanging in crucified agony, Jesus was tempted to come down from the cross (Mt 27:40). He refused to budge and thereby conquered the evil one. "Hold your ground" (Eph 6:13).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I never let the evil spirit move me, and may I always let the Holy Spirit move me! |
| PROMISE: | "At every opportunity pray in the Spirit, using prayers and petitions of every sort. Pray constantly and attentively for all in the holy company." –Eph 6:18 |
| PRAISE: | Jesus set Robert free from a twenty-year drinking problem. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College