The New Community and the Forces of Evil

MEMORY SELECTION: “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” —Ephesians 6:11

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 6:10-20

THROUGHOUT the Gospel Age our loving Heavenly Father has permitted his people to be tried and tested. This has been for the very special purpose that they might share in joint heirship with the Lord Jesus in his millennial kingdom. Our ability to run the race that has been set before us and our de-termination to overcome the spirit of the world, the allurements of the flesh, and the besetments of the adversary will be in proportion to our willingness to obey the divine will.

We are counseled to love not the world, to lay aside every weight that would beset us, and to run with patience toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus. We must search the Scriptures daily and make use of the mercies, privileges, and blessings that have been conferred upon us as children of God and prospective members of that spiritual kingdom. If we are faithful in doing these things and in overcoming the world, the flesh, and the devil, we shall not fall. It is the faithful class who will receive an abundant entrance into that everlasting kingdom.

In his letter to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul directs our attention to the Christian’s warfare. He says (6:10), “Fin-ally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Indeed, it is only as we are strong in our Lord that we may be overcomers. We are living in a time of great temptation and deception on every hand. It is essential that the child of God remain loyal to his covenant of consecration and continue to seek the Lord’s will in every matter of life.

The forces of evil are under the control of Satan the Devil. Therefore Paul urges us to “put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (vs. 11) We have a wily foe who is ever active in turning the attention of the Lord’s people away from their goal. “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.” (vs. 12) Satan has all manner of evil and deceptive forces at his disposal and will use them against the Lord’s people to draw them away from the prize of the high calling. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”—vs. 13

To fight a good fight of faith the Christian will need the Spirit of God and will need to be filled with truth, righteousness, and peace. Paul admonishes us to “stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.”—vss. 14,15

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (vs. 16) Faith is an important element in the character of the child of God. It will be necessary to follow our Lord and seek his will even where we cannot trace him.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (vs. 17) We must be filled with the truth and have scriptural proof for the hope that is set before us. Let the Word of God stand as the final authority on every question of doctrine and faith.

One of the most blessed privileges that we have as the Lord’s people is the opportunity to approach God and the heavenly throne through prayer. Prayer is essential to the Christian’s growth and must be pursued carefully and diligently. The apostle understood this, and he admonishes us that we should be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”—vs. 18

The Word of God is the source of all our strength, and we may be guided by its precepts with full assurance of faith. Paul was thus guided and motivated by the same Spirit of truth, and in the final verses of our scripture reading he asks for prayer on his behalf that he might fulfill his duty by proclaiming the Gospel message with boldness.

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