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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:11-13
Almost everyone has heard of the great sculptor Michelangelo. Even those who have never been able to travel to Italy to see his most famous works have seen pictures of intricate and detailed work he did with marble to bring his characters to life. Far fewer people have heard of Bertoldo de Giovanni, but without him Michelangelo might never have reached the heights of his work. Michelangelo was just fourteen years old when de Giovanni accepted him as a student. He taught the young aspiring artist far more than just how to use his tools. The story goes that once when de Giovanni saw a statue that was far below Michelangelo’s ability, he picked up a hammer and smashed it to pieces telling his protégé, “Michelangelo, talent is cheap; dedication is costly!”
The work that God has called us to do and the battles God has caused us to fight are not won by short-term effort. Instead, they require us to make the commitment to do what it is right in God’s power, and then to keep doing it again and again. If we give in after a short period of time, we will fail. We must stand firm and keep fighting the battle for as long as we live. The devil is active and powerful, but He cannot defeat a Christian wearing the armor of God and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Peter 5:9).
