Familiar

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”—Ephesians 6:10–11 ESV

Even the most successful musicians can take their skills for granted. They can let down their guard and rest on past accomplishments, not putting in maximum effort. This attitude can lead to carelessness, mistakes, and sloppy performances.

One respected orchestra conductor recognized the devastating consequences of this attitude by insisting on adequate rehearsal time, particularly for pieces that orchestras knew best. It was his responsibility to keep them from being half-hearted and making a marginal effort. He endeavored to get the most out of his musicians and draw out the best performances.

This is why so many great musicians practice relentlessly, reviewing and studying pieces they have played before, approaching each performance as if playing a piece for the first time.

These patterns can be true in our spiritual lives. Having achieved victory, how easily we can relax and become vulnerable. To stay victorious, we need to stay “strong in the Lord” and put on “the whole armor of God.”

This means being prepared every day: praying and putting on God’s armor; studying the Bible every day; always being equipped with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”; daily seeking the strength and anointing of the Spirit; and daily exercising the authority God has given you (vs. 10–18).

Stay vigilant. Don’t let down your guard. Ask God to help you be armed and ready, today and every day.

Reflection Question: Which piece of the armor of God do you especially need today?