Week 3: day 4
HOW TO WALK WITH YOUR ENEMIES

Ephesians 6:11-18
[11]Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12]For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13]Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[14]Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
[15]And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
[16]Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
[17]And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
[18]Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Know that Your real enemies are not in flesh and every human with weaknesses actually need the help you already have access to.

Colossians 4:5-6 (msg)
Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

This is not to say, “be naive”. If you claim to have Love, then show the essence of who you are no matter who stands in your way.

Reading that verse, I realised our way of fighting is simply to stand fully kitted. How?

1. Truth: Don't live on facts: know them but rely on Truth: God's person and revelation.
2. Righteousness: Founded in your position in Christ, let your acts reveal a response to Him.
3. Preparation of the gospel of peace: Your speech should reveal who you carry not how you feel. More often than not, this is laced with Love.
4. Faith: Trust in Him based on the evidence of the unseen.
5. Salvation: Your identity in relation to Him should be known because it will be questioned.
6. The Word of God: Ever wondered why you need to renew your mind daily and why we require a daily bread?
7. Prayer: This is not just a stance of 'i want, i want', it is a communication of exchange and building.

There is a characteristic often ignored: the state of standing, which indicates alertness. This verse expounds on the one that says 'watch and pray'.

Matthew 5:43-47
You're familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy', I'm challenging this. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true self, your God-created self. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."

I pray today that you never put off your armour and your life truly reflects Him as you walk with others in Jesus name, amen.

Rain in a bucket ; Devotion with Toyosi.