The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ephesians 6:10-13, “Finally, (my brother) be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.

11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

It is not difficult to understand Paul’s instructions in this passage. When the weather is cold, we dress against that cold. My mother used to say, “Don’t forget your cap.” She wanted me to be fully clothed against the elements. Paul uses an imperative form of the verb: be strong! Be spiritually strong in the power and might of the LORD! He follows that instruction by paralleling it with the full preparation of a foot soldier.

Times change, but we still work to protect our military with the best dress for defense! Even our police are now clothed with defensive dress, as they face increasing street warfare with those intent upon evil in our current society. Paul parallels this with the spiritual characteristics of the believer, because the Christian is in continual conflict with spiritual evil on every hand. Paul’s specific mention of rulers, powers, world forces, and spiritual forces of wickedness connote four classes of evil spirits operating in every age and in every area of human society. Make no mistake, Christian believers are in a “battle royal” throughout the entire world.

Once again, Paul uses the imperative: “take up the full armor of God!” It’s not optional. You’ve got to be protected. And the promise is that God Himself will enable you not only to escape the devil’s wickedly disguised schemes, but to stand firm and unmovable in your dedication to Him and His cause.

Many a well-armored official has been overcome by an apparently weakened and conquered opponent. Some, Christians, too, have been overcome by nice and friendly people who pretend to be “Christians.” They possess what at first-glance appears to be the Truth, but hidden within their beliefs are the twisted lies of Satan and his minions. Nothing we possess of ourselves is sufficient armor. It is His Armor (His Word) alone that protects us.

We continue to remember you daily in our prayers,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”