“Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of GOD that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:10-12
A pastor concerned about his increasingly sluggish and contentious congregation, delivered a passionate sermon on Ephesians 6; Focusing particularly on verse 12. After that sermon, the pastor noticed his five-year-old son Mark had a pensive look on his face. So the pastor asked his son to tell him his thoughts and the little boy asked his father to explain the sermon.The pastor carefully deconstructed the message hoping his child might grasp the way we are strengthened as we put on the whole armor of GOD;- showing righteousness through forgiveness, respect and kindness. Later that same day, the pastor overheard a discussion between Mark and another child at play. Mark’s friend said, “Boy your dad must think real hard,” to which Mark confidently replied, “That’s cause he’s a wrestlin’ with pits and peeves and people with mean faces.”
Understanding the Word of the Lord is not always easy. It is easy to live righteously as we relate to others. It is the way of our Master and it is easier than being pert, bitter or discontented. GOD blesses us when we actually love one another. Putting on the whole armor of GOD allows us to become conquerors over principalities and spiritual things in high places, AND over those “pits and peeves and people with mean faces.”
