CWW Week 24 - Day 5 - Standing Against Evil

WEEK 24 DAY 5 STANDING AGAINST EVIL

Ephesians 6:13-15 (NKJV) says:

“Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able

to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand

therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the

breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the

preparation of the gospel of peace.”

This passage emphasises the importance of being spiritually

prepared and equipped to face challenges.

Ephesians 6:13-15 is part of a larger passage about the “armour of

God,” which Paul uses as a metaphor for spiritual readiness and

defence against challenges and temptations.

1. Whole Armour of God: The idea of taking up the “whole

armour” suggests that we need all aspects of this spiritual

armour to be fully prepared. It’s not just about individual

components; it’s about complete protection.

2. Withstand in the Evil Day: This phrase acknowledges that

there are times when we face significant spiritual battles.

Being prepared helps us stand firm during those difficult

moments.

3. Girded Your Waist with Truth: Truth is foundational. Just as a

belt holds everything together, embracing and living by truth

helps us stay grounded in our faith and actions.

4. Breastplate of Righteousness: Righteousness protects our

heart, symbolising integrity and moral character. It’s a

reminder to live rightly and to pursue justice.

5. Shod Your Feet with the Preparation of the Gospel of

Peace: This imagery emphasises readiness. The “gospel of

peace” signifies that we are called to share the message of

peace and reconciliation. Our actions and readiness should

reflect that message.

Overall, these verses highlight the importance of being spiritually

equipped, standing firm in our faith, and actively sharing the

gospel.WEEK 24 DAY 5 STANDING AGAINST EVIL

We have touched on the full armour of God many times before and

it arises in many of todays issues for one very important reason.

We are, without any doubt, locked in a spiritual battle between

good and evil; between the dark and the light.

We need the full armour of God and the Regimental Sergeant

Major, the Holy Spirit, to train and lead us in the battles that lay

ahead.

Our daily journey of character development requires each of us to

grow and sharpen each other as we face the daily challenges of

life. Clearly we are called on to stand or we would not have been

given the full armour of God. Do we need to wear armour if we are

to remain passive and submissive?

Our weapons are not to pierce or cut flesh but they are weapons of

accountability and compassion. I remember the brave young

Chinese student who kept standing in front of a tank at the uprising

in Tiananmen Square. He became known as the Tiananmen Square

tank man. The tank had to keep trying to get around him. Why did

the tank not just roll over him?

He triggered something in the hearts of the tank crew. He was not

afraid of the consequences and stood to challenge the oppressors.

He stood in a belief stronger than the commitment of the tank

driver to crush him.

In the Melbourne days of shame when the Public Order Response

Team dressed in black and armed to the hilt were firing on peaceful

protesters in the streets; there was footage of one man just

standing on the pavement with his arms folded in defiance. A fully

charged P O R T officer charged at him screaming “MOVE, MOVE

MOVE”, but the man just stood there calmly. The officer could see

the man would not be moved and his conscience was triggered so

he just moved past the man.

If we know what we are fighting against then we are better able to

choose our weapons wisely. You don’t take a knife to a gun fight.

Ephesians 6:12, states:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against

principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness ofWEEK 24 DAY 5 STANDING AGAINST EVIL

this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly

places.”

Key Points:

1. Spiritual Warfare: This verse emphasises that our struggles

are not merely physical or against other people. Instead, they

are spiritual battles against forces of evil and darkness.

2. Recognising the True Enemy: By acknowledging that our

fight is not with other humans, we can focus on the real

challenges we face—spiritual forces that seek to disrupt our

faith and lead us away from God’s purposes.

3. Unity and Love: Understanding that our struggle isn’t against

people can encourage compassion and unity among

believers. It reminds us to love our neighbours, even when

conflicts arise.

4. Need for Spiritual Armour: Since the battle is spiritual, Paul’s

exhortation to put on the armour of God becomes even more

critical. Each piece equips us to face these spiritual

challenges effectively.

5. Hope and Victory: Ultimately, the passage points to the

assurance that through God’s power, we can stand firm

against these spiritual forces.

Clearly as we marry these two scriptures together we can see that

the best weapon to use against darkness is light.

What is light? Well light is the absence of darkness. Darkness is

repelled by light. Light is truth illuminated in faith. If light destroys

darkness then love destroys hatred. We must think outside the

square. Loving our enemies disarms them. We apply this love in a

frame that highlights that the behaviour used against us is

damaging the character of the attacker and we stand not only to

hold on to our own beliefs and purpose but to stop the damage

done to the characters of those who oppress us.

This is the opposite to the worlds way of doing battle. In this way

we become more than conquerers [see Romans 8:37] we becomeWEEK 24 DAY 5 STANDING AGAINST EVIL

the children of God and inherit all that comes with the honour. He

gets the glory and we reap the rewards.

Questions.

1. 2. Do you know who the real enemy is in your life?

Are you wasting precious ammunition shooting at decoys of

your own making?

3. Are you able now to harness the power of real truth in your life

through a relationship with Jesus?

Prayer.

Dear Lord, Papa God.

I don’t want to fight Lord; I want to stand in the light of your truth

Papa, knowing that You alone are my sword and shield. Strengthen

me with your word and grace. Drive me in the wisdom of your Holy

Spirit Lord as you empower me to leave the passive Christian

shadows and step into the light of your grace and mercy. For this is

my prayer in your precious name Lord. Amen.

Have a great day today with Jesus.

Graham Hood.