Fishers of Men-Part IV The Battle for Our Mind

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)


We have been looking at a series of devotionals titled, "Fishers of Men" and we have been looking at how Satan, the master-fisherman, fishes for men attempting to get them to bite on his bait of temptation.  We began to take a look at the various types of bait that he will use, and how he wraps them up to be enticing to us.  The variety of bait is determined by what type of fish he is attempting to hook up, and we at various times of our Christian walk can be like 3-different types of fish.  These 3-types of fish are: 

1.    Catfish
2.    Trout
3.    Bass

We have learned that at any point of our Christian walk, we can fall for various temptations (Bait), but that as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we will be more discerning about what we fall for in the way of temptations.  The Devil knows this, and therefore he tailors a specific temptation that he feels that we will most likely be susceptible to.  These temptations might range from addictions, and compulsive disorders, to those that are seemingly less harmful and more prevalent, such as gossip, pride, covetousness or driving too fast.  

And although we would like to think that there are some sins that are more wrong than others, all sin is missing the mark with regards to God's will for our life, and all sin is destructive.

What we want to discuss in this devotional is something that every Christian man or woman should be asking himself or herself.

Q:    How do I stop sinning?
Q:    What can I change in my life that will help me to stop destructive patterns and habits.

We are told in Ephesians 6:12 that, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  

The battle for our souls, and our lives will be won or lost in our minds.  This is where Satan and his emissaries will attack us, and they will do this by throwing a variety of thoughts into our minds so as to cause us to think upon something in a way opposite of what God would want.  

Have you ever had a thought pop into your head, and then asked yourself, "Where in the world did that thought come from?"
Well, the answer is the enemy--he throws these fiery darts at us continually, because if he can get us to think upon something long enough, we will eventually act upon it. 

But God has not left us, nor forsaken us, and He has given us instruction as to how we can defend and identify these fiery darts.  We are told how to defend ourselves against these attacks in Ephesians 6:13-18.  Verse 16 gives us the specific direction for extinguishing the fiery darts of deception.   


Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ephesians 6:16 (NKJV)

The Book of Ephesians gives us a visual of a shield as was used in Roman warfare.  The shield would be large and either oblong or oval in shape, and would be held in front of the soldier to protect him.  These shields would consist of two layers of wood that were glued together.  They would then be covered with linen and hide, and would be bound in Iron.  In ancient warfare, the tips of the arrows and spears would be dipped in pitch and then lit on fire.  The shield would not only deflect the evil missiles shot their way, but it would put out the flames as well.  

For us as Christian men and women, this shield is made up of our "Faith."  With this shield of faith, we can extinguish all the flammable darts thrown at us by the devil, and even keep them from spreading. 

Our faith is not in our own ability or power--but in God alone.  When we realize that God has a specific plan for every aspect of our life, and for every situation, we lean not on our own understanding but we acknowledge Him and His plan, and then He will provide the perfect path.  

I acknowledge that God will provide whatever strength I need when I am faced with the fiery darts of lies and deception.  I acknowledge that He will give me the wisdom and discernment that I need to make proper choices as well (See James 1:5). I can do nothing without Jesus, and with Him I can do all-things (see Jn. 15:5; Phil 4:13).   

The Shield of Faith is the first piece of defensive weaponry for fighting the lies of the enemy.  In Part V of this study, we will look at what I believe is the most important weapon for defeating the enemy and his temptation to bite upon his bait.  

I want to encourage you to place your faith in the Lord and in His abilities.  He will guide you through every step of life's difficult path.

STUDY QUESTION: According to Ephesians 6:12, who are we fighting against?  What does the Shield of Faith do for us according to Ephesians 6:16?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Do you put on your spiritual armor according to Ephesians 6:13-18 each morning before starting your day?

APPLICATION: Put on your spiritual armor each day before starting your day.  Don't give the enemy a free shot at you before you even start the day.