Leading The Way - Devotional for January 2
January 2, 2025
The Armor You Never Remove
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
Read Ephesians 6:14-15.
With every lie that permeates society, Satan convinces people that God’s ways are not good nor loving so that they push Him farther and farther away, until He is no longer welcome. Over the past several years, we have seen this happening in our nation more and more.
Satan is thoroughly dedicated to impugning the Truth. Think about it this way: If man’s greatest strength is to trust God, then Satan’s mission is to make him distrust God. That’s why knowing and walking in the Truth is absolutely essential for the Christian life. So, Paul likens the Truth of God with the belt of a Roman soldier, who would wrap a belt around his waist to keep his tunic in place and make sure nothing would entangle him. For those of us who love the Lord Jesus, our readiness for the spiritual battle always starts with the Truth. And that is why the belt of Truth is a permanent fixture. It’s needed every day, even moment by moment.
Next, Paul called God’s people to put on the breastplate of righteousness. In ancient Rome, a soldier’s breastplate was made of hardened leather and fitted with metal to protect several vital organs. The Old Testament considered the heart the seat of a person’s mind and will, and the bowels as the source of deep emotions. Satan levels his greatest attacks against these. He wants our thoughts to lead us to sin; he wants our emotions to draw us away from the Lord. And so, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness we lean on the strength of Jesus for our obedience. We cover ourselves with His righteousness, surrendering to His will.
Then Paul turns his attention to footwear. A good pair of fitted sandals were crucial to a Roman soldier. Once Christ saves us eternally, we are reconciled to God so that we not only have peace with God but also the peace of God—the Gospel of peace. So the believer’s feet are fitted with readiness because of the Truth that they have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ—no one can separate us from His love, no one can snatch us from His hand (see Romans 8:38-39; John 10:28-29). Our feet are protected from the very fires of hell. Whenever Satan attacks us, as long as we are standing solid in our spiritual combat boots of the Gospel, the Lord will never fail to fight for us.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the belt of Truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and footwear of the readiness given through the Gospel of peace. May I wear these faithfully, trusting in You and depending on Your strength in my struggles with my eyes on Your coming Kingdom. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:14-15).
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.
