Today’s reading is from Ephesians 6: 10-20: 

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

Today we’ll start looking at one of the more important and interesting passages in all the Bible, the armor of God. We’re going to take some time to look at this passage, there is a lot going on. We’ll take a little time each day to look at a different part of the armor of God, what it means, and how it affects our lives with spiritual warfare.  These are really important parts of scripture, parts that we need to understand, so we are going to take some time to talk more in depth about each part, what they mean, and what we can learn. 

But today, I really want you to hear clearly what we read in verse 12.  Our struggle not against enemies of flesh and blood.  But against the rulers and powers of this age.  Our enemy is never another person.  Let me say again for the folks in the back.  Our enemy is never another person. Our enemy is always, always the devil and his forces in the world. 

Now, people can be used by our enemy. But they are not our enemy.  They are persons that are made in God’s image and persons that Jesus Christ came to save. They are not your enemy.  Let me say that again. No person is your enemy. They can be used by your enemy. But they are not your enemy. 

If we only see people as our enemies, we’ll never be able to love them as Jesus loves them.  And if we never love them as Jesus loves them, that’s one less person who can help love them to Jesus. 

They are not your enemy. Whoever they are. The devil is your enemy. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the powers and principalities and rulers of this dark age.  No other person is your enemy. 

For us to help spread the good news, we’ve got to understand that.  

Tomorrow, we’ll look again at Ephesians 6: 10-20. 

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