Idols
Who or what is the source of your strength in life? It is so easy to try to control our lives through our own power—financially, emotionally, relationally, even spiritually. Idols are everywhere tempting you to trust in them. It may not be a graven image, but they are real and powerful. Name yours! Many are so subtle. Paul is about to reveal our enemies in the next verses. So, one needs to know how to combat their power over us. He says it’s not people as such, but the spiritual, cosmic forces that tempt and seduce us to turn from trusting God for everything.
Armor of God
We must arm ourselves with the ‘full armor of God’ which has been provided to every believer. And it is daily. Or else we become prey for their teeth. Paul, elsewhere, gives the answer for strength to live victorious and prosperous lives. “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6.14 NKJV). This is the true source of our strength. Christ in us, working in and through us. That’s why we devote ourselves to the word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, partake in the sacraments, relying on the power of the Spirit.
It all starts with humility. Will you, through pride, continually walk in your own strength, or humble yourself and submit to his reign and rule in your heart? “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (Gal. 5.6 NKJV). The spiritual powers of darkness, of Satan, can only be withstood and defeated by the One who has overcome him. “Because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I Jn. 4.4 NKJV).
