The Great "Collusion"

Of late, there has been a lot of interest in the topic of "collusion".

There is one kind of collusion, that people should be aware of and be very careful of - Satan and his fellow workers try to collude with your / mine flesh in order to lead us away from God.

Read more on "Spiritual Warfare", waged by Satan at:-

http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/08/spiritual-warfare-under-construction.html (Who is Satan? What is he upto these days? What is God doing about it? In what ways Satan attacks a child of God?)

"The Best & The Greatest Party Ever"

https://sites.google.com/site/biblechaptercommentaries/matthew/matthew-22-1-14-parable-of-the-wedding-banquet


"We want to party! Don’t we? Party big! And then we go to parties, and come back dry / un-satisfied, wanting for more! We are never satisfied with the endless wild parties of this world. All this is because we are all made for the ONE, holy, yet to come 'The Best & the Greatest Party Ever' - 'The Messianic Banquet of Matthew 22:1-14'!"

Also, what makes this party also great is that, it leads to great life restorations on the part of the attendees:- 
Isaiah 25:6-8: " ... He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces ... ",
Revelation 21:1-4: “ ... He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away ... ” 

Read more at:-
https://sites.google.com/site/biblechaptercommentaries/matthew/matthew-22-1-14-parable-of-the-wedding-banquet

Yes the best is yet to come!


(Youtube version of this intro)

"On Finding Joy ..."

First version of article "On Finding Joy & Peace / Overcoming Troubled Heart", finally ready:-

http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/09/on-finding-joy-overcoming-sorrow.html

Why some are born with billionaire parent and some are born in extreme poverty?

Why some are born with billionaire parent and some are born in extreme poverty? 

How can a good / just God allow that?

This important question is now partly addressed in http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/08/on-money-prosperity.html
(Check the right side panel for more topics)

On "Money" & "Prosperity"

A bare minimum write-up on "Money & Prosperity" is up:-

http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/08/on-money-prosperity.html


(Also check the right side panel for more topics)

On Finding Joy & Peace / Overcoming Troubled Heart (Stress, Anxieties, ...)

As I write, lots of grossly tragic incidents are happening around the world.

Of what I know of - devastating earthquake / storms / hurricanes have recently happened. There are fears that North Korea may start a nuclear war. Refugee crisis continues. There is news that there are more slaves in the world today than ever before. Tragic incidents may have happened in your life recently. Maybe each day has been quite challenging for you …

So, how does one overcome troubled heart, as news of tragic incidents constantly pour in?

Can one have joy & peace in such circumstances?

Yes, it is not easy - and at times it seems impossible -  But, take heart - there is hope! - REALLY - Jesus assured in these two verses :- John 16:33:- “In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world” & John 14:27: “ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ”

Even GOD (Jesus) struggled immensely with finding joy & peace at the Garden of Gethsemane, as He was foreseeing the great suffering that was to dawn upon him (Matthew 26 - 27). Jesus said his soul was very sorrowful, even to death (Matthew 26:37). His sweat became like great drop of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44). The world is so broken!

Now, let’s dive into some biblical teachings on overcoming troubled heart and finding joy & peace. Again, it is not easy, but there is true hope!

• First, know who you are as a follower of Christ. A follower is COMPLETE in Christ - with an eternally secure, glorious & fully-redeemed future (John 10:28: “Jesus: I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand”,  Romans 8:18-31: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us ... I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”, Revelation 21:15: “Jesus: I am making all things new”, Revelation 21:4: “He (Jesus) will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away”). Also, 2 Peter 1:3 promises to a follower: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life“. So, as a follower of Christ, why worry or be anxious and not be joyful? - Live in the light of an eternally secure future, keeping your mind fixed on things above and not on earthy things (Collossians 3:2)

• Second, “know your enemy”! There are three prominent sources of miseries that I know of:- (a) The regular spiritual battle that Satan and his army of fallen angel wages against a follower of Christ (see: http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/08/spiritual-warfare-under-construction.html), (b) one’s own sinful nature, (c) sinful nature of others around. (Also quoting Sarah Young: "You live in a world that has been rigged to distract you.")
• These will often make you fight for spiritual joy

• Laying the foundation for unfailing, persistent joy & peace - Have you been building your life on rock solid foundation? Jesus says in Matthew 7:24 - “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

• "The Practice of The Presence of God" - From this great compilation, we learn how brother Lawrence eventually found enduring joy and peace, despite living in hard and so-called "lowly" conditions. He "practiced" conversing with God continually (recall, 1 Thessalonians 5:17: "Pray without ceasing") - a "practice" that he developed with diligence, discipline, love & selflessness.                 (Recall Scripture verses on disciplining mind & body - 1 Corinthians 9:27: "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified", and  Philippians 4:11-13: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.". Recall, command in Scripture for selfless love: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I (Jesus) have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.").                                                            (As per https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Lawrence, brother Lawrence was injured from war and not having necessary education, “he spent almost all of the rest of his life within the walls of the priory, working in the kitchen for most of his life and as a repairer of sandals in his later years. Despite his lowly position in life and the priory, his character attracted many to him. He had a reputation for experiencing profound peace and visitors came to seek spiritual guidance from him.”). 

• Become a leader - Teach others “how to find joy & victory in darkest of time” (Matthew 28:19-20: “make disciples of all nations … teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”)

• Do what you are made to do. Whatever you do for work and non-work, does it translate to what God made you for? - That is, whatever you do in life, does it fulfill: (1) Matthew 22:37:- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”, and (2) Matthew 22:37: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Latter, Jesus also said in John 13:34 - “love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”). (Recall, what Jesus said about these two commandments, in Matthew 22:40: “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”). If not, then you are deviating from the “natural” way of living. And when one “deviates”, one robs oneself of the joy & peace that flows from God. And when one does not have joy & peace, one's physical & mental health is strained too - as if God indeed made us to live in joy & peace!

• Run from Sin. Sin robs joy & peace, and leads to miseries. Quoting from http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/01/on-suffering.html "It was one seemingly simple sin that led to the banishment of humans from God’s presence in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Sin continues to cause great trouble and misery in people’s life. It was our sins that kept Jesus nailed to the cross for SIX HOURS OF ETERNITY. (Fortunately, God’s grace is bigger than any sin - Romans 5:20). Also, Jesus is much more interested in our eternal-destiny/spiritual-health, which may at times comes at the cost of temporal physical loss. This is indicated in Matthew 18:9 (“And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”). Also in Luke 13:1-3 Jesus talks about unrepentant sinners - “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”."

• Do not walk your journey alone, walk with the CHURCH. Quoting from http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/01/on-suffering.html "Do not walk with your burdens alone - seek refuge & fellowship in Church. Church is the BODY of God Jesus. In the church, God calls us to share one burdens - John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”. Hence, also look out for those who need help in the Church. Romans 12:15 says “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”"

• The three verses that are often quoted: 
  Philippians 4:6-7:-"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.". Matthew 6:25-34: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."                                   John 14:27:  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ”

More prominent resources:-

• Brother Lawrence (http://thepracticeofthepresenceofgod.com/onlinetext/) and Joni Tada Erickson (www.joniandfriends.org) recount how they find real joy in the midst of prolonged chronic pain / disability.

Related writeups:-

• On “Suffering”
• On “Waiting”
• “Spiritual Warfare”

Racism and other forms of prevalent gross discrimination

A major goal of this article is to spread awareness about all prevalent forms of gross discriminations in this world!

The thought of this write-up was triggered soon after the grossly-violent August’17 Charlottesville rally (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite_the_Right_rally).

Yes, tragically, racism still exists in this world, and so does many other forms of "need-to-end-soon" gross discrimination.

Apparently, from time to time, we have to talk about these and implement new ways to counter them - as they never seems to go away from this world!

First of all, how is "racism" precisely defined? I leave that for you to research on (i.e., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism). At the very least, I would say it is tied to any action originating from the belief that one race is superior to another in some context.

And, how BAD "racism" is today and has been in history? That is also a very good topic to research on. BTW, talking of history, one of the most extreme cases of racism that is often talked about is obviously Holocaust (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holocaust) - in which millions of Jews were killed, because they were considered as an inferior race by Hitler.

In current times, you may have heard of many personal stories of racism. One mind-blowing story that I read was the claims of Ashley Graham - http://time.com/4890516/ashley-graham-on-white-privilege/, on how the color of her skin helped in her modeling career.

(Disclaimer:- I have not fact-checked all her statements. Here, I just wanted to share her claims that are definitely worth studying).

BTW, here in this article, I will briefly touch on other forms of prevalent gross discrimination too.

Some gross examples of discrimination that we see in the world:-

• Unfair treatment because of one's skin color
• Unfair treatment because of one's gender
• Unfair treatment because of sexual orientation
• Unfair treatment because of one's caste in India
• Unfair treatment because of one’s country of origin
• Unfair treatment because of one’s religion beliefs
• Unfair treatment of refugees
• Why did the refugees in the ongoing middle-east crises have to go through all the horrible things they have been going through? Why were/are they not welcome in many places?
• Unfair treatment because of one’s financial / social status
• i.e., CEO/Sports-celebrity vs Janitor - this could be one of the most prevalent - maybe not much talked of - yet very shameful form of discrimination http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/08/is-life-fair-gross-disparities.html
• Do kids of rich parent have more privileges (in terms of opportunities, healthcare, etc.) than kids of poor?
• ...

Also, I will briefly mention some scripture verses that counter the spirit of discrimination:-

• “Love your neighbor as YOURSELF” (Mark 12:31)
• “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
• Learn to look at people the way God looks at.
• “So the last will be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16)

Conclusion - The zillion+ dollar question remains: “How do we end racism and other forms of prevalent gross discrimination in this world?”. Let us start with spreading awareness …

Is Life Fair? / Gross Disparities ...

We see sports / movie / pop / etc stars being elevated among the highest rung (in terms of riches, fame, affection, etc) of the society.

Now what about the janitors, who do very useful, valuable, and meaningful works?? Do they live “forgotten” / “un-valued” and even “looked-down-upon” in many places?

Jesus said: “First will be last and last will be first” (https://www.gotquestions.org/first-last-last-first.html).

So, as a consequence of the way society is working today, many of the un-valued, forgotten, “looked down upon” folks (such as, say janitors in many places) could be first in God’s Kingdom … ahead of many celebrities that are worshiped as gods in the society!

In God's Kingdom, life is perfectly fair.

God of weak, poor, broken, lost, captives ... (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

On "Success" (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Spiritual Warfare

The important questions discussed here are:-

- Is there a real entity named Satan who, along with an army of fallen angels, is waging spiritual warfare against children of God?

- If, yes, then why? - What are Satan's motives and objectives?

- How does Satan attack a child of God? (What are his strategies?)

- Why does God allow Satan to create havoc in people's life? What is God's response to Satan and the spiritual warfare he wages against people?

- What can a child of God do to combat attacks from Satan?

- Are you scared??




Scriptural support for Satan's existence and the spiritual warfare he wages

Who is Satan and who are in his army?

Satan was previously Lucifer - a highly privileged angel. Lucifer was perhaps the wisest and the most beautiful of God’s creation (Ezekiel 28:12). Despite his highly unusual and privileged position, Satan was not satisfied (sounds familiar?!) and rebelled against God in the attempt to become like God (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:2-9). He is the first (or one of the first) sinner(s) - 1 John 3:8. As a result he was banished from the heaven. Satan also led a third of angels to rebel against God (Revelation 12:3-4). They now form an army of demons under Satan, whose aim is to compete with God and thwart His missions in very destructive ways (book of Job, 2 Corinthians 4:4, John 10:10, 1 Peter 5:8). In response, the just God created hell for Satan and his army of fallen angels (Matthew 25:41).

So where is Satan now and what he is up-to these days?

Satan and his fellow demons are not in hell yet, but God has allowed them to be around for a while and have very significant influence on people's life - but all under God's full control (book of Job), all ironically serving God's holy and good purposes.

Satan was the one who led to mankind’s fall (quite an influence) from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:2). Satan and his fellow fallen-angels try to intensely interfere with God's works (i.e., how a fallen angel tried to prevent the messenger of God from reaching to Daniel on earth, from heaven, - Daniel 10). Satan roams the earth (Job 1:7, 1 Peter 5:8). He has been leading the whole world astray (Revelation 12:9). 1 Peter 5:8 says about him -"the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour".  In John 10:10, Jesus warns "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy". In Matthew 10:16, Jesus warns: "I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves".

Overall, Satan wants the entire human race to go to hell (along with him) instead of heaven. To those who are already sealed to go to heaven, he tries to bring upon great destruction and fear (book of Job), ultimately with the goal to make them ineffective in the Kingdom of God. Yes, even, people very close to God are not spared: (1) In Luke 22:31, Jesus apparently testifies that Satan was granted permission to “sift” Peter - a disciple very close to Jesus, (2) In the Book of Jobs, we learn Satan is allowed to “sift” Job (Job 1) - again someone very close to God.

Satan’s influence on earth is so big that Jesus referred to him as the "prince of the world" (John 14:30) and Apostle Paul referred to him as "ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" (Ephesians 2:2). Again, from the book of Job we learn that Satan can have a mind-boggling great influence on humans (but only as much as God allows him).

All these make Satan and his army of fallen angels / demons a tremendous source of suffering (http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/01/on-suffering.html) on earth.

Yet, at all times, God remains in full control of Satan.

Spiritual warfare is so prevalent that some joke that if everything is always going well with someone, then that person is at the side of Satan ;)"

Yes, there is lot going on behind the scenes, what we fail to see with our eyes. Remember, Elisha prayed for his servant:- 2 Kings 6:17: "O Lords, please open his eyes that he may see ...", and his servant saw huge army of angels nearby!

What is God's response to Satan and his spiritual warfare?

After Satan rebelled, God banished him from heaven, along with a third of fallen angels (Revelation 12:3-4). God also created hell for Satan and his army of fallen angels (Matthew 25:41). But, Satan and his fellow demons are not in hell yet, but God has allowed them to be around for a while and have very significant influence on people's life - but all under God's full control (book of Job), all ironically serving God's holy and good purposes.
Jesus said for His children: “no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28-30; Yes Jesus fights for His children), and He also prays for them (Luke 22:31-32). To those overwhelmed with troubles and hardships of life, He says:- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11-28-30). So, do not be afraid of Satan and be in peace! God is allowing evil and suffering to exist for a while - But He is also in full control and is actually using both for His holy purposes. The story of Job is one example of how God turns the table around on Satan and actually uses him for His holy purposes. (https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-satan-saves-the-soul)




One of the most important question is "How does the Devil / Satan attack God's children?"

Here are some of the ways from the Scriptures (some are very closely related):-

• Causes great obstruction in God's ongoing primary mission on earth - The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) - Preventing people from going to heaven and directing them to hell.
• Blinds non-Christians (2 Corinthians 4:4; Matthew 13:25: "while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.")
• Make Christians less effective (i.e., via the means listed here) towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission. That is, a Christian can expect significant opposition, when he / she is doing something towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission. In-fact, the Book Of Jobs, indicates that Satan wants to destroy such a Christian, physically and spiritually. If a Christian is not doing anything towards fulfilling the Great Commission, then opposition from Satan or his fellow demon is usually not expected. 
• Brings upon persecution on Christians and Church (Yes, the devil wants to destroy you spiritually and physically - book of Job)
• In Luke 22:21, Jesus himself testifies of upcoming persecution on Peter. In, book of Job, we see intense persecution upon Job from Satan. Jesus also testifies in John 8:44 that he is the murderer from the beginning.  Ephesians 6:16 says Satan and co-workers throw "flaming arrows" at believers. 1 Peter 5:8 says Satan and his co-workers look to devour upon believers like lions. In John 10:10, Jesus also testifies about them - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy". In Revelation 2:10, Jesus warns " ... the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days ... "
• Causes divisions in Church
• i.e., the story of Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11
• Sows discouragements, doubts, lies, deceptions, distractions 
• Satan filled Job's life with series of extremely discouraging events. Peter was quite discouraged into denying Jesus three times (Luke 22:21, Luke 22:54-62).
• Distorts God's Word (Genesis 3:1)
• In Matthew 4:1-11 (verse 6), we how Satan tries to distort the Word of God to tempt Jesus.
• Plants doubts (Genesis 3:1)
• Jesus testifies in John 8:44 that he is the "Father of Lies"
• Deceives people into thinking that they can be like God (Genesis 3:1-5)
• Fills the earth with distractions (2 Corinthians 4:4:- "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God"). In Matthew 4:1-11, we see how Satan tried to distract Jesus, from remaining focused on His mission, with "the wealth and the glory of this world".
• Tempts people to sin 
• Tempts people into rebel against God (Genesis 3)
• In Matthew 4:1-11, we see how Satan tempted Jesus, with the wealth and the glory of this world, to follow him instead of God: " ... Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, - 'All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me' ..." (sounds familiar?!)
• (Yes, Satan tries to collude with your flesh)
• In general, negatively influence and use people against people, via lies, etc
• i.e., the story of Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11
• Tries to counterfeit God
• 2 Corinthians 11:13-15:- "Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light". 
• Satan also does signs and wonders - 2 Thessalonians 2:9: "The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders"; 
• In Matthew 4:9, we see he wants people to submit and worship him, instead of God.
• Contributes to sicknesses, diseases, destruction
• In Luke 13:10-17, we see Jesus heal a woman whom "whom Satan bound for eighteen years". In Acts 10:38, we see Peter "healing all who were oppressed by the devil". In the book of Job, we see Satan inflicting great physical destruction. In John 10:10, Jesus warns "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy".
• Acts as a Great Accuser
• Revelation 12:10: " ... for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God."

But also, please do not attribute every other "negative" situation (including sickness, persecution, etc) to Satan and his fellow demons! And again, even though all this may seem quite scary, do not be afraid of them either, as good God is always in full control. But do not take them lightly either.




Finally, how does a child of God fight back attacks from devil?

• First of all, even though all this "spiritual warfare" may sound very scary, a Christian should not and need not be scared of Satan and his army of fallen-angel, also knowing that God is the One who has allowed them to wage spiritual warfare on people. And, God remains in full control, at all times not Satan or his fellow fallen-angel. A Christian only needs to focus on following God, with peace (John 14:27), and let God take care of rest.
• Know your enemy well, from Scriptures, to fight back well. This includes trying to sense in what areas you might be attacked. This is one main reason why this article is being written.
• Always remember God's part in this fight (see Section above titled "What is God's response ... ").
• Ephesians 6:10-20 answers how a child of God should respond/resist/fight Satan and his army, in great depth - "(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 ..."
• v10-11: Deeply draw from God's strength and whole hardheartedly follow Him ("Put on the whole armor of God")
• v14:
• Talking of fastening with the "belt of truth", always remember Jesus is the truth (John 14:16) that holds all things together (Colossians 1:17), including us
• Righteousness of Christ imputed into us is our impenetrable protection (John 10:28). Also if one is not pursuing holiness, one is giving Satan foothold into one's life (i.e., Ephesians 4:27).
• In a powerful example, we see how Jesus just used the Word of God (i.e., sword of Spirit as per Ephesians 6:17) to counter the temptations and lies of Satan in the dessert (Matthew 4:1-11). Also, there Satan tried to actually use the Word of God (verse 6) to tempt Jesus.
• Praying is powerful and essential, as suggested by Ephesians 6:18
• Be ready and alert. Soldiers train, especially with fellow-soldiers, a lot throughout their career.
• Resist / Fight as a team - be always connected with Church
• Scriptures often portrays a believer as a sheep. A sheep is quite vulnerable to predators. Hence, they tend to flock together for protection. And, also variety of necessary mechanisms are employed to guard a sheep flock against predatory attacks. Likewise, a believer is quite vulnerable to attacks of Satan and his army when not connected to a Church body. Also, here a sheep is called to be like a battle-ready soldier. And, soldiers are not anyways meant to fight alone (To fight an army, a soldier is better off being part of a large strong army - aka "one unified Church"). This could be one of the reasons Jesus prayed that the believers be "one" (John 17:20-23) before he was led to the cross.
• For instance, we need to look out for each other and pray for each other in this battle - Ephesians 6:18