Defense! Defense!

     Having just spent a good week end studying on the Ten Commandments with good preaching and studies in the evening, I endeavored to really do good on Monday.  One of the obvious points in the study is that Satan is the father of lies.  We all know that and expect it.  Well, Monday started and I lasted about 2 hours.  It was probably shorter than that, but that's when the Monday morning blow hit.  I yelled at my wife which required an apology later and the rest of the day went down hill from there.  A feeling of unworthiness set in and right away the father of lies was blowing me out of the water with each salvo from his arsenal.  Later on in the day, in fact while I was in bed, a review of the days events led me to realize that I had forgotten about the whole book of Ephesians and especially about the defense we have against Satan.   Ephesians 6:11-12 says, "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  
        I have taught this passage many times and always make comment about the word "wiles."  We get the word "method" from this passage.  Yes, we know Satan's tactics and that he is continually battling against the truth.  He will shade the truth until it become a lie but we just don't see it at the time.  He gets like ivory soap which was 99 and 44 one hundredth part pure.  It was the .56 that was making it not 100 percent pure.  Satan will give you something that is just about true.  It looks like the real thing, but something is missing.  It has the right words in it, but something has been left out.  Ephesians 6 gives us the antidote for the attacks of Satan and his league of  devious workers.  Since we know Satan's tactics, we are to put on the armor of God and each piece is listed.  The only real offensive piece is the sword which is the Word of God.    If you ever have had or are having one of those days when you are being hit by the onslaught of the devil, then take a look at Ephesians 6 and read it again until all of the pieces are in their proper place.  It is obvious that we cannot let down our guard because as sure as we do, we will be attacked.  Praise God today for the defense that He has given to us.  Make sure it is in place.