GOD'S WILL IN THE EVIL DAY

Ephesians 6:10-18
(10)  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
(11)  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
(12)  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
(13)  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
(14)  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
(15)  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
(16)  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
(17)  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
(18)  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

What is God's will for me in such an evil day, when evil men prevail; and no matter what good people do to expose them, they come up with scheme after scheme and lie after lie to tear down the foundations of all God has given for the good of mankind and blessing, and seek only to steal, kill, and destroy?  Should I just throw up my hands in despair and hunker down, waiting for the Lord to take us away?  Should I fight the political battles and seek to destroy their political power?  Should I answer back anger for anger, insult for insult, hatred for hatred?  I must be careful not to let myself be "overcome by evil" but instead overcome evil with good.  I must remember the battle is a spiritual one and that evil men and women are under the influence of the powers of darkness which they do not even understand.  They think they are free, but they are enslaved to powers beyond themselves that are very antagonistic to God, His Word, His church, and all that God has done in the world or will do.

What's my response?  This is what I've been seeking God to show me.  Are we going to change the world?  Make America great?  Are we going to bring back the love for God's Word and respect for His church in this world again?  Are we to fight for a "kingdom" now?  But as I read all Paul's letters to the church, and especially Ephesians, I see that we are called to a heavenly calling and that our citizenship is in Heaven and we are, in this earth, Christ's ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20).

Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us instructions for what are to do to "withstand in the evil day," which we are surely in.  If we are not in His Word, we are in a most dangerous position and will not be able to withstand all the schemes and attacks of the enemy. It is more crucial than ever that we understand our place in Christ, that He has put us (Ephes. 1-2:10).  The armor of God is another way of explaining that position in Christ.  All that we do is to be done "in Christ" and in His name.  It is "in the strength of His might" alone we stand.  If we don't start there, we already are on sinking sand. We have to remember the battle is with spiritual powers, not physical even though we see the physical powers being used by them at work.

We have to "stand firm" or we won't stand at all (Isa. 7:9b).  The only way to do this is by spiritually "putting on the WHOLE armor of God."  This is ALL THE TIME.  This isn't one day walking in faith, another day walking in righteousness, and another day in truth, etc.  This is daily understanding what we are in Christ, having our position in Him, facing the world, the flesh and the enemy in Christ with what HE has provided for our defense against all, and facing and withstanding and not being moved from our position falling into spiritual defeat, fear, or sin.

We have His truth, not the worlds to stand firm in.  We have His righteousness, not our own by any of our own works and His Spirit "making all things new" within us enabling us to yield to and walk in that righteousness and to call on Him as our advocate. We have perfect peace through the Gospel of His salvation that keeps our hearts enabling us to walk, and do the work He calls us to, facing the enemy and the world. We have a shield of faith - faith in His infallible Word that He always upholds and will not fail one dot or tittle.  We can hold on to that Word and hold it forth and hold it up against fiery darts of disillusionment and doubt or threat or fear the enemy throws at us. Our minds are protected by the salvation that cannot ever be taken from us. We can never be snatched out of His hands (John 10:28), and His Spirit is our guarantee that that salvation is sure and secure (Eph. 1:14). We have the "Sword of the Spirit" - His Word, to defeat every attack against us, so we must learn it, study it, meditate on it, know it, and know Him! If we are not being filled with the Word of God we have only our own fleshly mind to fight with.  We do not have the mind of Christ which is revealed in His Word.  Our minds are not being renewed by His Word, but are being influened by the flesh and the world - not much different than an unbeliever under the influences of the powers of darkness.  What is my influence?  I must be on my guard and aware of that at all times. There is a darkness in this world and a "mind" controlling the minds of so many.  Satan knows how to brainwash masses of people using many avenues, such as the media, games, music, schools, and any way he can to get into the human psyche and manipulate.

Romans 1:21-22
(21)  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
(22)  Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

If we give up God's reasoning, we lose all ability to reason sanely, lose all common sense, and become fools... Webster's 1828 dictionary:  In scripture, fool is often used for a wicked or depraved person; one who acts contrary to sound wisdom in his moral deportment; one who follows his own inclinations, who prefers trifling and temporary pleasures to the service of God and eternal happiness.

Our minds are to be influenced by the truth of God's Word, walking in His light, learning to know Him and His will and to discern right from wrong according to His Word.  This is how we are to look at this evil day.  If we are to do anything else, any work of God, it has to be from this foundation. If not, then it is futile...only the work of flesh which is no better than what unbelievers are doing in the world, and will not contribute to God's will at all.

As we stand in His armor, His provision, in Christ, we are to pray with all prayer and supplication, continually.  If we are praying we are not fainting. If we are praying we are laying all out to God Who hears and answers.  If we are praying for each other we are bringing God's grace and help to one another, so that all may stand against the powers of darkness.  We cannot forget prayer. It is an important privilege and tool God has given to us.  By prayer the powers of Heaven are sent forth into action against the powers of darkness to defeat them and bring God's grace and work, turning what the enemy means for evil into good.

We are not to "fear what they fear" or give in to the pressure of the world.  We are to stand in His armor.  We are to hold forth the Word of life to whosoever will receive it.  We are to continue until He comes being His ambassadors in this world.  We are to suffer patiently, as we wait for His redemption. We are not to think we will eradicate evil or set up His kingdom in this earth.  He will do that when He comes. We are to remember He has given us "every spiritual blessing in the HEAVENLIES" (Eph. 1), at our disposal to enjoy and stand in here on earth until we are redeemed from these bodies of death and taken to "be with Him where He is forever (John 14:3)."

Revelation 3:10-13
(10) Because you kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you out of the hour of trial, the one being about to come on the whole inhabited earth in order to try the ones dwelling on the earth.
(11) Behold, I am coming quickly. Hold what you have that no one take your crown.
(12) The one overcoming, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out any more, not ever! And I will write the name of My God on him, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name.
(13) The one having an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

Maranatha!