Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:11–12, ESV
As followers of the one true God, we are to be careful in our speech and our lives, but we should not be surprised by what people who do not worship or are not of God do. The people who say things against God are not our enemies, but we are meant to stand up to the ones who direct them and the lies by which they are being deceived. Not all of them will listen, and that should sadden our hearts, but we are to be aware that the greater blame falls on the deceiver. Those deceived will face judgment in time if they do not turn away, and they are guilty of sin whether they are aware of it or not. This is why it is important for us to wear the whole armor of God and be ready to stand against the lies with which they are enthralled. As we walk out in the world, our Lord wants us to be always prepared for battle against the lies of the deceiver and not be afraid to confront them anywhere that we go. We are not just to walk around like spiritual streakers in the assurance of our salvation but be fully clothed from head to toe in God’s glory and grace in full preparation for the sake of the souls with whom we are engaged. We are at war for the souls of men and women trapped in deception. Like great heroes of old, we come bearing hope and salvation. We don’t seek to be at war with the people but stand up against the spirit of the age so that the people may hear the Gospel and come to know true peace. We do not fight alone but alongside the heavenly warriors that stand next to us and all around. The battle being waged has been since the beginning, and we know who wins in the end, but until that time, our Lord desires for us to win those who are caught up in the deception and stand alone in the wilderness of sin and bring them into His saving grace. Armor up as you enter the day, knowing that we, who belong to God, never fight the battle alone.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.