October 27, 2026
Today's Reading: Ephesians 6:10-17
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 29:1-29; Matthew 18:21-35
“Put on the whole armor of god, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
There is someone who hates you. St Paul doesn’t want you to be naive about this. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” The devil is real, and he wants to destroy you. He wants to separate you from Christ, to convince you that God’s promises aren’t true, that you’re not really forgiven, that you’re on your own.
This isn’t a fair fight. You can’t defeat the devil on your own. You’re not strong enough, smart enough, or good enough. If it were up to your willpower or determination, you’d lose every time. That’s why Paul doesn’t tell you to muster up your own courage or try harder. Instead, he tells you to put on armor - but not your armor. God’s armor.
Notice what this armor is made of. The belt of truth. The breastplate of righteousness. The shoes of the gospel of peace. The shield of faith. The helmet of salvation. The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. None of this is yours by nature. You don’t generate truth, righteousness, faith, or salvation from within yourself. These are all Gifts. God gives them to you, and then He tells you to put them on.
The truth is God’s truth, revealed in His Word. The righteousness is Christ’s righteousness, given to you in your Baptism. The gospel of peace is the good news that your sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. The faith that shields you from the devil’s attacks is created and sustained by the Holy Spirit. The salvation that protects your head is Christ’s finished work on the cross. And the sword you wield is not your opinions or feelings, but the Word of God itself.
See what Paul is doing? He’s not giving you a list of things to do for spiritual self-improvement. He’s pointing you to Christ and His Gifts. When the devil accuses you, you don’t defend yourself with promises to do better. You point to your Baptism. You cling to the Absolution spoken over you. You receive Christ’s Body and Blood. You open your Bible and read God’s promises. This is how you stand firm, so that when the Last Day comes, and the battle ends, you’re still standing. You’re still alive.
The Christian life is spiritual warfare, but it’s not a war that you fight alone or in your own strength. Christ has already won the victory over sin, death, and the devil. He’s given you His armor, and He stands with you in the battle. So when the enemy comes - and he will - you stand firm. Not because you’re strong, but because Christ is, and He’s made you His own.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
“A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from every need that hath us now o’ertaken. The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might are his dread arms in fight; on earth is not his equal.” (LSB 656:1)
Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD.
Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.
