Readings: Ephesians 6:10-20; Psalm 144; Luke 13:31-35
In St Paul’s letter to Timothy, he told him to fight the good fight (1Timothy 6:12). Today, St Paul makes it clear to us the nature of the fight; it is in fact a battle. In this battle, our greatest enemies are not even people who hurt, malign, betray or break our hearts. Our greatest enemy is the devil whose aim is to destroy our faith and our relationship with God and so rob us of our eternal inheritance.
St Paul tells us how to stand up to him and resist his tactics. It is through spiritual armour and the strength that God supplies.
The armour comprises:
I. Truth as buckle around the waist:
Knowing and believing the truth helps us to counter the lies of the devil.
II. Integrity as breastplate:
Through this, we can counter shame and guilt, which are tools of the devil.
III. Shoes of eagerness to spread the gospel of peace:
We can conquer idleness and spiritual laziness, which make us vulnerable.
IV. Shield of faith:
To conquer doubt and discouragement.
V. Accept salvation as a helmet
This will undermine and ridicule the material promises of the devil.
VI. Word of God as a sword:
This will counter all the confusion, manipulation and deception of the devil.
VII. Prayer
Because a prayerful Christian will be too hot for the devil. Luke warmness gives the devil an opportunity.
In the gospel, we see how Jesus demonstrates that He has no fear of Herod, He must continue to do His Father’s work, and He is spiritually prepared and equipped.
When we have this armour, we have enough resources to hold our ground and stand against the devil and his snares without fear
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on October 29, 2020