Paul turns our minds toward an alternate reality when he says our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Whoa—hard to grasp this concept of evil forces opposing our faith. But Paul not only underscores the truth, but lists ways to fight back. Because we are in a fight, and the day to stand firm comes to us all.

Paul goes on to describe the armor each Jesus-follower possesses. First on the list? The belt of truth buckled around your waist. The Word of God, the Christian Scriptures, form an invaluable part of the necessary attributes to live an open life of faith in our challenging world. If I lose my belt, everything else fails as well.

Time to cinch it up and get to work.

Ephesians 6 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Ben White