John 10:10 The thief (Devil) comes to steal, kill and destroy.
If you know a thief is coming will you leave you door open?  No!  Will you know your opponent and set up a defense? Yes!  What is your defense?  The best defense is a good offense. If you attack your opponents, they will be so busy fighting off your attack that they will not be able to attack you. (Often associated with sports or war) Well I don’t know if you know it or not;  but our families, our Churches, our Country is at war.
So how do we defend ourselves against the Devil our Enemy?  What does that look like beloved?

Well, Ephesians 6:10-18 says:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

So, why do we wonder around like people with no hope or as if we do not have any weapons?  Tell yourself to pick up your weapons and fight!  And notice it tells you to be strong in the LORD and his power not our own.  It’s time for Christians to be Christians not only in name but in action!

Written by Gladys “Rev J” Johnson, LPC
House of Refuge Ministries