Protect Us from Evil

I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. John 17:15-18 

Jesus wants God the Father to protect His disciples and His followers. We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19.  We have comforting and encouraging words throughout the scripture, like this one in Second Thessalonians. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3. We need to do our part by being obedient to God. …taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16. That is part of putting on the armor of God, which we should do spiritually every day.

Do you understand sanctification? To sanctify means to set aside—to become pure. It is a process. It begins with the filling of the Holy Spirit…and it continues daily as we seek the Lord and His Holiness in our lives. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23. It is one of those theological concepts that may be hard to understand—but worthy of your search for it. Romans 6 has a lot to say about sanctification. Start there. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Romans 6:22. The verse in Matthew that talks about seeking God first in your life is good. It is a good reminder to me, too. Seek God first…every morning, every day. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (clothing, food, drink) will be added to you. Matthew 6:33. Are you seeking God first in your life? 

RSVP: Jesus is asking the Heavenly Father to protect you from the evil one. Satan. Are you seeking God and being faithful to Him? Are you putting on your armor of God today, including that shield of faith? How will you respond to Jesus’ message today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, protect us from the evil one as we put on the full armor of God, so that we will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:11-12) Open our eyes to see the battles that are raging around us…that we can call on You and your angels to help us in our time of need.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.