Leading The Way - Devotional for January 1
January 1, 2025
The Power of Spiritual Armor
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
Read Ephesians 6:10-13.
Satan and his minions are always looking for opportunities to pull us away from the path of Truth. However, there is good news. God has not left us on our own. He has not left us without the help we need to live a victorious Christian life. Ephesians 6:10 tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Notice Paul does not say to find strength within. He doesn’t tell us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. He says to be strong in the Lord. Our strength comes from God and God alone.
You may be asking, “Well, how do I tap into that strength?” The Word of God tells us: “Put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11). God intends for His people to put this spiritual armor on and keep it on. The armor of God is a permanent fixture, a lifelong companion, the continuous provision of the Lord’s power for us and to us.
Another important thing to remember about the armor of God is that it isn’t given to us to defend against other people. We are to “stand against the devil’s schemes” (v. 11). Now, oftentimes the devil spreads his evil through human institutions. When you see the government promoting sin, that’s evil. And the devil is pulling the strings behind all of it! His biggest deception is convincing people that he doesn’t even exist. That’s why we must remember: We are not at war with other people—even those who perpetuate the wickedness we see. We are at war with spiritual powers in the heavenly realms.
Satan’s army is united. They’re extremely disciplined, motivated, organized, and obedient to the chain of command. But the armor of God is our equipment for victory. It’s not given only to church leaders or well-known preachers. It’s given to every single believer. Whether you are six or sixty, you have the same armor from the Lord, and you can use it to defeat your enemy every time. But let me stress that when Satan attacks you, do not engage in the battle by yourself. Run to your commanding officer, Jesus Christ. Let Him take over. Your one responsibility is to put on God’s full armor so that you can engage in the greatest battle and experience the greatest victory that brings the greatest joy—all through Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that I am not at war with the people around me but with the spiritual forces in the heavenly realm that fight against Your righteous Kingdom. May I put on Your full armor so that I can stand in Your strength to defeat the enemy’s attacks. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series The Full Armor of God: WATCH NOW
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Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.
