Christianity is not a bed of roses. It is beset with the thorns of satan, who at every step is there to discourage us and take us astray away from the lord. His one goal is to see that no one gets eternal life and the crown of heaven. Thus, he tempts us morning noon, and night. Once he has us firmly in his clasp, he scouts and troubles those who are left. Despite these afflictions, we have a God Who is faithful and is always willing to help us and save us from the darts of the devil. Jesus makes a solemn promise in John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” He further promises in Hebrew 13:5 “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
We have to bear one thing in mind, like us satan is also a created being. Thus, God is above him and is more powerful. God thus, protects and takes care of us from the evil one. Psalms 121:7-8 “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” The Lord gives an antidote for these temptations in Ephesians 6: 10-18 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
We have to use the armour of the Lord for our protection. The belt stands for truth; Truth is a gift of God. We are to put on God’s truth to experience divine gift from God. The breast Plate stands for righteousness; It protects the vital organs of the body. In this way, believers are to experience spiritual protection that comes from God as a protective gift from Him. The Shield is for faith; This signifies the trust and faith we have in our Lord. Thus, we can enter into battle with the evil forces with the protection and confidence of God. The helmet stands for salvation, which we experience in solidarity with our Lord in his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The sword stands for the Word of God. These are the broad promises of the gospel that we find in the bible. Apart from this, we have to be in constant prayer. With these, we can easily deflect the fiery darts of satan.
The Lord further promises that He is faithful and shall not allow us to be tempted beyond our capacity. In I Corinthians 10:13 it states “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” We can then be sure that we have spiritual weapons to overcome temptations and that our temptations will be limited to what we can bear.
Dr Ashwin Drummond
Laddertoheaven.co.in