The armor of God is not only beneficial for adults, but it is also critical for the youth to put on as the go back to school!
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 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.
13 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. Ephesians 6:10-13
From the onset of this passage, the Apostle Paul focuses on the fact that our battle is not against people but against powers and principalities. Half the battle is when we know who we are fighting. If we look at things at a natural level, then we will fight in the flesh, and we will continue to feed our carnal nature. On the other hand, when we know that many situational and relational battles are a trap to get us distracted and derailed from our purpose, then we will remain alert and vigilant.
We need to teach the young people to guard their hearts from offenses. That is one of the main ways that the enemy tries to distract and derail the people of God. There will be students and teachers who may be offensive, and teaching them and modeling forgiveness in those cases is critical to be freed from the trap of the enemy.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Ephesians 6:14
Truth is what holds everything else together. We can have much knowledge, spiritual and natural gifts, and the passion to use them, but if we don’t have truth, we are lost.
Furthermore, we want to live as truthful people. If we are not truthful, it is matter of time before we are exposed, and we lose credibility for everything good that we have done.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
Jesus holds us sane and on track with who He is and what is true in life. There is much that is being taught in the schools that Biblically is not the truth. A young person needs to learn to discern the truth and evaluate it based on what Jesus says about it. If it does not pass the test, we don’t receive it as truth.
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:15
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:8
God is a God of peace, and Jesus came to the world as the Prince of Peace. When we walk in peace, we represent the Kingdom of God to the world. We need to be intentional about walking in peace. We are called to live in peace and practice it in our relationships.
When young people have seen peace being practiced in their household, they will believe peace is possible in an anxious and stressed world. They can carry peace with them to the schools. They can also be aware of all the complaining and backbiting around them and remain in peace in the middle of it.
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
The young people in this day and age are under continual cultural attack from the world. We need to train them to walk in faith. They will not understand everything, and neither can they have answers to everything that is thrown at them, but they can exercise faith and not allow the fiery darts of doubt and confusion affect their hearts.
I will continue with this subject in the next devotional.