August 23rd, 2021
Here is a devotion for you, from HomeTouch:
In Ephesians 6:10-20, the apostle Paul warns us to “put on the whole armor of God,
so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (v. 11).
Today, however, we don’t put on such things as armor, helmets and breastplates as did a
typical soldier of Neronian Rome. But during the current pandemic, we do put on “personal
protective equipment” (PPE), such as masks, face coverings, gloves, etc.
Researchers at the University of California-Merced have identified four areas of vulnerability
⎯ points of entry for that nasty, wicked little virus. They are the eyes and face, hands, body and
respiratory system. The apostle Paul, writing today, might say that these are the areas in our
spiritual lives that need protection.
Eyes and face: We should guard against seeing things that are ungodly and that do not uplift
us and contribute to our spiritual health.
Hands: The Bible says, “So wash your hands. Make yourselves clean. Get your evil actions
out of my sight! Stop doing what is wrong! Learn to do what is right! Treat people fairly. Give
hope to those who are beaten down. Cheer them up. Stand up in court for children whose
fathers have died. And do the same thing for widows” (Isaiah 1:16-17, NIRV).
Body: Writing to the church at Corinth, Paul says, “Do you not know that your body is a
temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?
… therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The body is the vehicle or
channel through which we glorify God. It must be protected.
Respiratory system: We must be able to breathe. So we have to make sure we have a clean
environment with lots of fresh and clean air. Paul describes such an environment this way:
“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is
anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8-9).
To quote the apostle, let us “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.”
—Timothy Merrill
Prayer: Lord Jesus, with your help I will put on the “personal protective equipment” I need to
defend myself from those things detrimental to my spiritual health. In your name I pray. Amen.
In Ephesians 6:10-20, the apostle Paul warns us to “put on the whole armor of God,
so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (v. 11).
Today, however, we don’t put on such things as armor, helmets and breastplates as did a
typical soldier of Neronian Rome. But during the current pandemic, we do put on “personal
protective equipment” (PPE), such as masks, face coverings, gloves, etc.
Researchers at the University of California-Merced have identified four areas of vulnerability
⎯ points of entry for that nasty, wicked little virus. They are the eyes and face, hands, body and
respiratory system. The apostle Paul, writing today, might say that these are the areas in our
spiritual lives that need protection.
Eyes and face: We should guard against seeing things that are ungodly and that do not uplift
us and contribute to our spiritual health.
Hands: The Bible says, “So wash your hands. Make yourselves clean. Get your evil actions
out of my sight! Stop doing what is wrong! Learn to do what is right! Treat people fairly. Give
hope to those who are beaten down. Cheer them up. Stand up in court for children whose
fathers have died. And do the same thing for widows” (Isaiah 1:16-17, NIRV).
Body: Writing to the church at Corinth, Paul says, “Do you not know that your body is a
temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?
… therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The body is the vehicle or
channel through which we glorify God. It must be protected.
Respiratory system: We must be able to breathe. So we have to make sure we have a clean
environment with lots of fresh and clean air. Paul describes such an environment this way:
“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is
anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8-9).
To quote the apostle, let us “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.”
—Timothy Merrill
Prayer: Lord Jesus, with your help I will put on the “personal protective equipment” I need to
defend myself from those things detrimental to my spiritual health. In your name I pray. Amen.
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