Let's Use Our God-Given Weapons!

While recently reading an ancient history book about the Roman Empire, I came across a picture of a class of Roman gladiator called the Retiarius who fought using only a net and a trident. Of all the lethal weapons available to these gladiators who often battled to the death, these fearless men were only given two items — a piece of webbing and a three-pronged spear. When they entered the arena, their survival depended on how well they could use these weapons.

In the spiritual battle we face as Christians, God has chosen our weapons:

“Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

It would behoove us to look in the mirror of Ephesians 6:10-18 to see if we are properly equipped with “the whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13). From the helmet of salvation to the shoes of the gospel of peace, we are to be protected and armed for a conflict that depends not on human strength, but on the powerful word of God (Ephesians 6:17; cf. Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18).

Beloved, when we realize the nature of this warfare and the evil forces against us, it’s foolish to enter the fray with anything except our God-given weapons.

Let’s be sure to maximize their use daily in our battle against Satan and his forces (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV; cf. Deuteronomy 4:9-10 ASV).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets