(The following is the September 1 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Ephesians 6 and pay close attention to verses 10-18.)

Christians are in a constant spiritual battle on this side of Heaven. We are ill-equipped on our own to fight Satan and those who oppose Christ. Fortunately, we don’t have to fight alone or ill-equipped. God has provided us with a set of armor in Ephesians 6:10-18 for success:

¹⁰Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.
¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.
¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
¹³For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
¹⁴Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,
¹⁵and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
¹⁶In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit – which is the word of God.
¹⁸Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

We will not fail if we gird ourselves with God’s armor.

Next Step:
Spend 5-10 minutes daily over the next two weeks memorizing Ephesians 6:10-18. Review it weekly after that.