Ephesians 5:15-17 (NASB) 15Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And 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 saints.
Be careful then how you walk … be alert for opportunities God gives in the daily routine to do His will, and be aware of the power that is subtly but surely trying to undermine your wise walk. This power may not come to us looking sneaky and sinister, but as a subtle thought, asking for just a small compromise in our conscience. This power may not come as an overwhelming threat, but as a promise to give us what we deserve to make us more comfortable, to spare us trouble, and perhaps even to add some joy and excitement to our life. This power may not come to fill us with doubt about God, but to instill confidence in us of our ability to handle life by ourselves.
We cannot see the enemy, but we can see the results of the enemy’s work, invisible forces that suck the life out of our soul. Perhaps it helps to remember that we are rescuing the life of our soul every time we do what is right regardless of the cost, when we shed resentments and practice the good news of forgiveness, when we keep our confidence in God, and when we are aware of His commitment to us.
We become alert and aware by regularly acknowledging the goodness and grace of God, listening with the faculty of quiet faith rather than to the roar of driving need, hearing with our heart rather than tuning in to the noise of the passing crowd. Scripture acts as a sword to penetrate and cut away the dullness of our soul. Prayer is the power to bring Word and soul together.
From a sermon preached by Henry Dobbs Pope August 18, 1991
© Rhonda Hinkle Mitchell Broyles
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