When sin showed up in the garden, the enemy didn’t announce loudly his intention.  He was sneaky about it. He concealed his motives. In fact, the KJV says he was more subtil (subtle) than any other creature God had made.

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.

Genesis 3:1 KING JAMES VERSION

Sneaky snakes skulk

He was cunning and crafty, twisting God’s word to make it seem like Adam and Eve were missing out on being like gods.

Eve should have immediately gone to God and found out the truth; but because the fruit looked good to her eyes, and the idea of being god-like seemed awesome, she gave in to temptation.

All these years later, some things remain the same. That old snake still skulks around, whispering lies, and trying to twist the truth. And, people still want to be in charge instead of being in submission to God.

Have no part with deeds of darkness

Evil people love to do their work in the darkness. Pulling the wool over someone’s eyes is like meat and drink to them.

But the child of God is to be different. We are never to conceal the truth, but expose evil.

¹¹ Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. ¹³ But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, ¹⁴ for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
    rise up from the dead,
    and Christ will give you light.”
¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Ephesians 5:11-16 New Living Translation

There is no doubt we live in dark days

Let’s make the most of every opportunity to spread light and life, and the gospel wherever we go.

Which reminds me, the next piece of the Armor of God is called the Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace. This means we are prepared to go out into the world and spread the gospel. Yes, we’re going to have treacherous obstacles, snares and traps laid by the enemy. Just like the Roman soldier’s shoes had spikes on the soles to help him have secure footing; the word tells us we can trample over serpents, scorpions and every evil thing, bringing them under the crushing weight of the gospel of peace. The gospel is stronger than anything the enemy can devise!

¹⁸ “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! ¹⁹ Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.

Luke 10:18-19 New Living Translation

The Gospel changes everything

You see, the gospel helps resolve conflict and bring order out of disorder. Once a person hears the gospel for himself, he can become a saved creature, a new man, and the potential for conflict can be changed. The heart of stone is taken away and changed into a heart of flesh.

Let’s walk in the authority God has given us.

I’m on a journey to discover the requirements to be a prayer warrior. The first thing to remember is I’m not alone, I’m surrounded by heavenly help.

I want to take the next 19 days to examine truths about spiritual warfare, corporate prayer and the praying in agreement and learn to apply them to my life. I don’t pretend to know all the answers. I’m going to be thinking with my fingers, so to speak, as I process what is in my heart about these topics after reading the word and praying for discernment.

You can go here to see each post I will be making on this topic.

Today’s question for your consideration: Is there a crack in your armor anywhere?

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Sharing at Anita Ojeda’s 2023 Write28Days Challenge, Grace at Home