When you get ready to play a sport, you put on you team shirt, get your ball glove, grab your bat and balls, put on your cleats and hopefully you are prepared to play ball. It is no different for us in our battle against the forces of evil. We should not expect to win if we are unprepared and don't have our armor of God on. God tells us to be prepared at all times and to rely on His strength to fight the battle. We cannot do it on our own. So what is this armor of God?
First we are told to be strong in the power of His might. Jesus has already defeated Satan on the cross and broken his power over Christians. While we are still here on earth, temptations will still bombard Christians and we need to rely on Christ strength to win.
Ephesians; 6:10
(Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.)
We should always trust in Jesus strength, not ours.
Philippians; 4:13
(I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.)
Notice it is Christ who gives us the strength to win the battle.
Who is our battle against and what should we do?
Ephesians; 4:11-12
(Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.)
We do not war against flesh and blood.
2Corinthians; 10:3-4
(For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,)
What are our weapons and how do we use them? The first 3 pieces of armor are the (Girdle, Breastplate, and Shoes/Boots. These are worn at all times on the battlefield.
Ephesians; 6:14-15
(Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;)
Girding up is to pull in all loose ends and stay focused.
2Timothy; 2:4
(No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.)
Because righteousness, and holiness are such distinctive characteristics of God Himself, it is not hard to understand why that is the Christian's chief protection against Satan and his schemes.
1Thessalonians; 5:8
(But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.)
The gospel of peace is that believers are at peace with God and He is on their side.
Romans; 8:31
(What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?)
Having God on our side give us the courage to stand firm in the most fierce battles.
The last 3, (Shield, Helmet, and Sword) were kept ready for when the battle actually began.
Ephesians; 6:16-17
(above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.)
The shield of faith is our continual trust in the word of God and is absolutely necessary to protect us from the temptation to sin, and to keep us from falling for Satan's lies. Fiery darts are likened to flaming arrows or temptations that Satan shoots our way.
Psalm; 18:30
(As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.)
Proverbs; 30:5
(Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.)
The helmet is what protects the head from assault. Satan tries to put doubt into our mind about our own salvation so that we are ineffective in the battle. We will become more concerned about our self and not be able to fight a good fight. God tells us that our salvation is secure in Him.
John; 10:28-29
(And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.)
The sword was the soldiers only weapon, so the Word of God is the only weapon needed and is more powerful than any of Satan's. We use it to defend against Satan's attacks, and to destroy his strategies. It is the truth of Scripture.
Hebrews; 4:12
(For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.)
John; 12:48
(He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him-the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.)
If you haven't received Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, today is the day. Ask Jesus to come into your life and save you. Tell Him that you want to give your life to Him and that you want to serve Him as Lord and Savior. The battle is already waging for souls, make sure that you are on the winning side. Remember that when you give your life to Jesus, He is on your side and your salvation is secure in Him.
God Bless You!
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