Pull Out The Arrow

June 11

Read: Eph. 6:10-20

Pull Out The Arrow

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil… In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one…” (v.11,16)

Believers are not exempt from spiritual warfare. We are not “immune” to the presence of evil spirits or the work of the devil. If we do not take up the armor that has been given to us, we WILL NOT stand against the “schemes of the devil.” I know that it may seem a little “superstitious” to speak this way - but it is biblical and true.

One of the ways that the scriptures describe the attacks of the “evil one” is as “fiery darts”. A dart or arrow hits in a very specific place… it comes to a point. This is how Satan works. More often than not there is a very specific point of attack - a specific place in our lives… on our body… that Satan focuses the lies and accusations. These “darts” are painful - they are proverbially on fire. You cannot deal with an arrow in you until you pull it out… and arrows ARE NOT designed to be pulled out easily. It is the same with the darts of the evil one. These things do not come out easily. It is painful when the Lord pulls them out. These areas of weakness become opportunities for the Lord’s strength to shine through - for the Lord says, ““My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9)

What are the “fiery darts” stuck in you? Is there an acute point in life where the attack has come? Are you willing to let the Lord pull the arrow out? If left unattended… the wound festers and the dart burns. These darts are not just habits of our flesh that we have developed - they may very well be evil spirits trying to hide out. Remember this, evil spirits will always invite in other evil spirits. (cf. Luke 11:24-26) Not every problem is an “evil spirit” problem… but some ARE. When we approach spiritual problems with fleshly treatments it never works. Have you been neglecting a fiery dart? Are you aware of the enemy’s point of attack? Love you guys. - JDP