Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man has always unsettled me. I’m an American. I’m as middle-class as Americans go, which means I live in a level of affluence and abundance unknown by most of my co-inhabitants of this world today, and by a far, far lower percentage of people in history. In global and …
Satan wants nothing more than to enter certain areas of your life so he can gain a stronghold. He’ll try anything to throw you off center, distract you from your focus, and render you ineffective for the Kingdom of God. And I believe, after more than 25 years of ministering to women, that there are …
Many of us must be facing attacks, for that post quickly spread. In response to requests for a follow-up post, here are some ways to respond to spiritual attack. Realize that believers are not intended to be on the defensive in spiritual warfare. We wear the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17) not to defend against the enemy, …
Spiritual warfare is a reality (Eph. 6:10-20). Based on my years of studying this topic, here are some anecdotal signs of attack I’ve seen – particularly, if not primarily, on those Christian leaders who are taking steps of faith to get the gospel to a lost world: Unusual marital and family conflict. I’ve seen some of …
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18). Paul ends this section encouraging us to pray fervently for ourselves, for each other and for the work of the Church. Ephesians …
“And take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). The Roman sword, or gladius, was crafted of iron. Blacksmiths hardened the iron by coating the red-hot sword blade with coal dust, thus forming a hard carbon coating on the blade. Sword handles were made of iron, ivory, bone, …
“And take the helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17). A Roman soldier’s helmet, known as the cassis or galea, protected a soldier’s skull and neck from enemy blows and falling debris. Fashioned from bronze or iron, the helmet included two hinged side pieces to protect the cheekbones and jaw. Helmets were often lined inside with sponge …
“Having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14). The breastplate was a central part of the Roman soldier’s armor—it provided protection for the torso, which contains vital organs like the heart, lungs and so on. Without a breastplate, a soldier would be asking for death, as any attack could instantly become fatal. With a …
“above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16). Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” The Roman shield was made from bonded wood strips and …
