The Book of Acts: Turn Your World Upside DownSample

Today’s Devotional:

As we read Acts 19, we see one of the most action-packed chapters in the entire Bible. Paul starts by praying for some disciples to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, then Paul preaches “boldly,” performs “unusual miracles,” and “evil spirits were expelled” (verses 11-12). The ministry of Paul was so powerful that the chapter ended with a city-wide riot against Christians, but not even that could stop the gospel from spreading.

We see Spiritual warfare all throughout the Bible. Jesus’ ministry was characterized by a constant battle with the enemy of our souls. The same thing can be said of the ministry of all the apostles, especially of the Apostle Paul. No wonder the Apostle Paul was inspired by these events when he later wrote his epistle to the Ephesians and instructed them to “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the Heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:11-12).

After walking with Jesus for 40 years, I realized there are two extremes regarding Spiritual Warfare: Passive and obsessive. Passive Christians are simply unaware, naive, or they just over-intellectualize everything. Here, the strategy of the demons is, as C.S. Lewis said in his book The Screwtape Letters, to “conceal themselves.”

On the other hand, there are Christians that are too obsessed with the devil. They see demons everywhere, even in circumstances of their own making. None of these extremes are good or Biblical. Instead, we should develop a balanced and Spiritually realistic attitude. Yes, there is a battle, but we shouldn’t panic or be fearful because God has equipped us with powerful Spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4) to overcome an already defeated foe.

It’s important to understand we don’t fight for victory but from victory. Scripture tells us that we are “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37) because Jesus already defeated the enemy and his demons “by triumphing over them” (Colossians 2:15). However, just as victory was promised to the people of Israel as they entered Canaan, they still had to fight some giants; so, it is with us. God is inviting us to be part of His victory by fighting in the Spirit and putting on the armor of God.

If you look closely at all the seven parts of the armor of God—truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer—they are the Spiritual weapons that the Lord has given us to live a victorious and joyful life!

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Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Daniel Arbolaez.

Questions to Consider:

• Have you put on the full armor of God?
• Are you fighting for victory or from victory?

Prayer:

God, thank you that we always have the victory in you. Help me to put on the full armor of God and stand firm through every Spiritual battle. Amen.