“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes”

– Ephesians 6:10-11

In our lives, we have an enemy and his name is Satan. 1 Peter 5:8 says he is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. His goal is to steal, kill and destroy and he would like nothing more than to bring destruction in our lives. This is why Paul exhorts us to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power so that we can stand against the enemy.

He even gives us an entire armor so we can protect ourselves against his schemes. While we do not have to be afraid of the devil (one of his tactics is fear), we still need to keep an alert or sober mind so that we do not fall for his tactics. The best way to do this is to be strong in the Lord and to do that, we have to spend time in his word, in prayer and with other strong believers who edify and build us up in the Lord.

God speaks to us through His Word, in prayer and through other believers so trusting his word and engaging community helps believers grow stronger in the Lord. Jesus fought the enemy using the word of God by submitting to God’s word in his life and through his life he had people around him who poured into him. Since Jesus modeled how to defeat the enemy using the word and community, we are to do the same by walking by faith in Christ. Through the word of God, one can defeat the enemy anytime and be strong the Lord.

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
2 Timothy 2:19

When working for a company, one thing that is important to that company is its image. This is why when NFL players break the law they get penalized by the commissioner because they are giving the NFL a bad name, especially the team they play on. When one works for someone, they are in effect conducting themselves in a manner worthy of them and their business. It is the same way with God. When we give our life to Christ and we claim to know him personally, we are to demonstrate that by living a Godly, sober and righteous life.

Multiple times in Paul’s letters, one is to live up to the gospel of Christ, especially in Philippians 1:27, Ephesians 4:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:15. Since one has died with Christ, buried with Christ and risen with Christ according to Romans 6:3-4, one should walk in newness of life. Christians ought to live to worship him and obey his commandments since that is the whole duty of man.

Since Jesus Christ is Lord, a believer should live a life surrendered to Him in every way so that one can have a close relationship with God and not live in constant sin. Christians are God’s ambassadors, so since they represent him, and wear his name, they are to depart from wickedness by living according to his grace, which teaches them to deny ungodly lusts and live soberly, righteous and holy in this present world (Titus 2:11-12). Be sure to wear God’s name well today!