The Right Equipment for the Job – September 18, 2024

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:10-18

The Right Equipment for the Job

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What kind of items do you need to have a tea party? To have a tea party, you need a teapot, teacups, tea, plates, napkins, silverware, and snacks. What kind of equipment do you need for a neighborhood baseball game? To have a neighborhood baseball game, you need baseball bats, baseballs, baseball gloves, and bases. What kind of tools does Dad need to do the yard work? To do the yard work, he needs a lawnmower, a trimmer, an edger, some gloves, and maybe some protective ear and eye wear. When you need to do something, it is important to have the right equipment for the job.

Today, we want to think about what kind of equipment a soldier needs to be ready to go to war. Maybe you have a family member or friend who serves in the Armed Forces who uses weapons—both offensive and defensive—against enemies who want to harm our nation. The apostle Paul wants to prepare us for a different kind of battle—one in which each of us is called to struggle. What makes this battle different? Paul says, “For 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” (Ephesians 6:12). We’re in a battle against the devil himself, his evil angels, and this sinful world who all want to get us to fall into sin and end up under their control. This is a battle for our souls and will determine where we spend forever—either with God in heaven or with the devil in hell. What kind of equipment do you need for that kind of battle? Paul says we need the full armor of God.

Paul uses the equipment a Roman soldier would use to be ready for physical battle to picture the equipment we need for the spiritual war we’re in. Look at Paul’s equipment list again. Every piece of equipment points us to God’s Word and all the things we get from God’s Word, especially the good news about the ultimate warrior who won the ultimate war for us against all the devil’s forces—our Savior, Jesus Christ. When we listen to his Word and trust in Jesus, we are ready for every battle. We have everything that we need.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, be with us as we face our daily battles with the spiritual forces of evil. Equip us with your armor through your Word and give us the victory through your Son, Jesus. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Who is our big enemy who fights against us?
• Who fought our biggest battle and defeated our enemy? How did he do that?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Reread Ephesians 6:13-17. List the kind of equipment a soldier wears.
• How do you “put on the full armor of God” for the war you’re in?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• We have daily struggles “against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil.” What do they look like in your life?
• What does our God promise to do for us while we’re in these daily battles (1 Corinthians 10:13)? What does God promise to do for us when we lose a daily battle (1 John 1:9)?