Standing Strong in Christ
Dexu Xia
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11
Today's Scripture Ephesians 6:10-20
Today's Insights Speaking to gentile (non-Jewish) believers in Jesus (Ephesians 2:11-12), Paul uses the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor—compelling imagery for that audience. Although drawing on militaristic imagery to highlight a struggle against “the powers of this dark world” (6:12), the apostle also emphasizes that this isn’t a fight against human beings—“against flesh and blood”—but against “spiritual forces of evil” (v. 12). It’s a conflict in which believers follow our suffering Savior, who died out of love to reveal “the gospel of peace” (v. 15). He’s equipped us with spiritual armor (vv. 10-17) so we can stand strong when we face spiritual battles
Today's Devotional Recently, my mom gave me a play-by-play of a surprising confrontation she saw on a live webcam feed from a watering hole in Africa. The Gemsbok, a large antelope, has horns that can be more than two feet long, making it a formidable animal that doesn’t seem to scare easily. That is, unless it comes across a group of brave and rowdy ostriches. The lead ostrich, which was taller than its foes, shook its large feathers, roared, and stomped toward three Gemsbok, causing them to flee.
“I guess they didn’t realize how powerful their horns are,” I said to my mom.
Believers in Jesus can forget the power we have when faced with attacks from our spiritual enemy, Satan. We have the Holy Spirit who lives inside us (Romans 8:11) and the armor of God to help us: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). Satan wants to challenge our belief in God’s Word, question our identity in Christ, and tempt us to sin.
But we can stand strong because God’s armor includes “the belt of truth, . . . the breastplate of righteousness, . . . the shield of faith, . . . the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (vv. 14-17).
When the enemy attacks us with feelings of fear, condemnation, or despair, let’s remember we’re God’s children and are well equipped to stand strong.
Reflect & Pray Why do you sometimes forget to use the armor of God? How can you stand firm in your battles?
Dear God, thank You for giving me Your divine protection.
By Nancy Gavilanes
在基督里站稳脚跟
“要穿戴神所赐的全副军装，就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。”（以弗所书 6:11）
今日经文 ：以弗所书 6章10-20节
今日洞见： 保罗在写给外邦（非犹太）信徒（以弗所书 2:11-12）的信中，用罗马士兵的盔甲作比喻，这对当时的读者来说，是极具说服力的形象。虽然保罗借用军事意象来强调与“这黑暗世界权势”（6:12）的争战，但使徒也强调，这并非与人“血肉之躯”的争战，而是与“属灵的邪恶势力”（12节）的争战。在这场争战中，信徒要跟随我们受苦的救主，祂出于爱而死，为要显明“和平的福音”（15节）。祂赐给我们属灵的军装（10-17节），使我们在面对属灵争战时能够站稳脚跟。
今日灵修 最近，我妈妈给我详细描述了，她通过安装在非洲一个湿水湾的实时网络摄像头看到的令人惊讶的一幕。大羚羊是一种大型羚羊，它的角可以长达两英尺多，这使它成为一种令人生畏的动物，似乎不容易被吓倒。除非它遇到一群勇敢而喧闹的鸵鸟。领头的鸵鸟比它的对手更高，它抖动着巨大的羽毛，发出吼叫声，并跺着脚走向三只大羚羊，导致它们仓皇逃窜。“我想这些羚羊没有意识到自己的角有多厉害，”我对妈妈说。
信徒在面对属灵敌人撒旦的攻击时，有时会忘记我们所拥有的力量。我们有住在我们里面的圣灵（罗马书 8:11），以及神所赐的全副军装来帮助我们：“要穿戴神所赐的全副军装，就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计”（以弗所书 6:11）。撒旦想要挑战我们对神话语的信心，质疑我们在基督里的身份，并引诱我们犯罪。但我们可以坚强站立，因为上帝的军装包括“真理的腰带、公义的护心镜...、信德的盾牌、救恩的头盔和圣灵的宝剑，就是神的道”（14-17节）。
当仇敌用恐惧、定罪或绝望的情绪攻击我们时，让我们记住我们是神的儿女，并且已经装备齐全，足以坚强站立。
反思与祷告：为什么有时候你会忘记使用上帝赐给你的军装？你如何在争战中站稳脚跟？ 亲爱的上帝，感谢你赐予我神圣的保护。 作者：南希·加维拉内斯