28 September

God wants to set people free, both from the literal bondage and oppression experienced by modern day slaves, and from our slavery to sin and addictions (such as a reliance on alcohol, work, overeating, drugs or sex). And in the future, when Jesus returns in victorious power, God will free everyone from everykind of slavery.

• Focus on the truth of Jesus
  ‘With a belt of truth buckled around your waist’ (v.14a).
  
  Focus on truth of heart. Transparency and authenticity are the opposite of hypocrisy. We also need to focus on the truth of doctrine as revealed in Scripture. Both are personified in Jesus who said, ‘I am the truth’ (John 14:6).
• Keep short accounts
  ‘With the breastplate of righteousness in place’ (Ephesians 6:14b).
  
  Jesus died so that you might have the righteousness of God. When you fall, get up quickly. Keep in a right relationship with God and with others.
• Get actively involved
  ‘With your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace’ (v.15).
  
  Here Paul may have had a verse from our Old Testament reading for today in mind: ‘Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!’ (Nahum 1:15). The devil hates the gospel – because it is God’s power to change lives.
  
  Paul asked the Ephesian Christians to pray for him: ‘that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel’ (Ephesians 6:19).
• Trust God in difficult times
  ‘In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one’ (v.16).
  
  The arrows are such things as: false guilt, shame, doubt, disobedience, malice and fear.
• Win the battle of the mind
  ‘Take the helmet of salvation’ (v.17a).
  
  The battle is won or lost in our minds, so it is essential that we ‘take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
• Soak yourself in the word of God
  ‘The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God’ (Ephesians 6:17b).
  
  Use the Bible when you are under attack, just as Jesus did when he was tempted in the desert (Matthew 4:1–11).
• Keep praying
  ‘Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests’ (Ephesians 6:18)
  
  Mary Queen of Scots said, ‘I fear John Knox’s prayers more than an army of ten thousand men.’
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