Suit Up!
If you were in the military would you carelessly walk onto the battlefield with not an ounce of armor on and expect not to get injured or would you suit up and prepare for the battle ahead? The answer is obvious, but so often as Christians we walk onto the spiritual warfare battlefield unarmed. You don't have on your helmet. You don't have on our breastplate. You don't have our shield. You don't have your sword. You don't have on our shoes of peace. You don't have our loins held up with the truth. Yet so often we don't understand why we can't have the victory in certain areas of our lives. But the answer is simple. Put on your armor. The bible says be "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (1 Peter 5:8-9). If you don't have on your armor then you cannot resist Satan. Vigilant means watchful. You must be on your guard, ever ready to resist Satan. And you can only successfully resist him in this battle if you have on your armor. 1 Timothy 6:12 says, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called..." We are called to be victorious in this fight. Here is an overview of what you should wear everyday in order to resist Satan.
1. Loins girt about with truth: we must have the belt of truth firmly buckled on our waist. In order to know the difference between the lies of Satan is to know the truth of God's word. We must diligently read the scripture and digest it on a daily basis. We cannot fight victoriously if we don't know the truth. We also cannot fight victoriously if we don't believe the truth. We must not only know the truth but believe it and apply to our lives.
2. Breastplate of righteousness: we must choose to walk in the Spirit and not according to the flesh. If we are walking in the flesh then we cannot resist the devil. When we sin on purpose then we give the devil place in our lives. So in order to guard our hearts, we must live righteously and keep our hearts pure.
3. Shoes of peace: We must always stand firmly in the gospel of peace. For Ephesians 6:13 says,"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." We can stand firmly in the gospel of peace no matter what. For Christ is a firm foundation.
4. Shield of Faith: Satan will send fiery darts our way that are swift. So we must have on our shield of faith.
5. Helmet of Salvation: Our salvation in Christ gives us protection in our mind.
6. Sword of the Spirit: When we say the word of God, we combat the lies and temptations of Satan. In order to combat Satan with the word of God, we must know the word. When we know the word, we can replace the he the lies that Satan brings against our mind with the truth of God's word.
7. Prayer: Prayer is a powerful weapon against the enemy. We should be fervent in prayer. If you don't see the answer to your prayer that doesn't mean that God hasn't heard your prayer. Just keep praying and praying and praying until you get the victory. For the "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). A good way to pray continually until you get an answer is to make a prayer journal. I have a journal where I write down my prayer requests, and I try to pray about these matters everyday.
8. Vigilance: We need to remain watchful as saints. It's important to become aware of the subtle devices of Satan and resist the devil using your armor. If you're not careful, his darts can slip past your armor if you are being passive and not actively combating his lies with the truth of God's word. When you don't wear your army, you're an easy target and can become weighed down with Satan's lies, and live in defeat.
1. Loins girt about with truth: we must have the belt of truth firmly buckled on our waist. In order to know the difference between the lies of Satan is to know the truth of God's word. We must diligently read the scripture and digest it on a daily basis. We cannot fight victoriously if we don't know the truth. We also cannot fight victoriously if we don't believe the truth. We must not only know the truth but believe it and apply to our lives.
2. Breastplate of righteousness: we must choose to walk in the Spirit and not according to the flesh. If we are walking in the flesh then we cannot resist the devil. When we sin on purpose then we give the devil place in our lives. So in order to guard our hearts, we must live righteously and keep our hearts pure.
3. Shoes of peace: We must always stand firmly in the gospel of peace. For Ephesians 6:13 says,"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." We can stand firmly in the gospel of peace no matter what. For Christ is a firm foundation.
4. Shield of Faith: Satan will send fiery darts our way that are swift. So we must have on our shield of faith.
5. Helmet of Salvation: Our salvation in Christ gives us protection in our mind.
6. Sword of the Spirit: When we say the word of God, we combat the lies and temptations of Satan. In order to combat Satan with the word of God, we must know the word. When we know the word, we can replace the he the lies that Satan brings against our mind with the truth of God's word.
7. Prayer: Prayer is a powerful weapon against the enemy. We should be fervent in prayer. If you don't see the answer to your prayer that doesn't mean that God hasn't heard your prayer. Just keep praying and praying and praying until you get the victory. For the "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). A good way to pray continually until you get an answer is to make a prayer journal. I have a journal where I write down my prayer requests, and I try to pray about these matters everyday.
8. Vigilance: We need to remain watchful as saints. It's important to become aware of the subtle devices of Satan and resist the devil using your armor. If you're not careful, his darts can slip past your armor if you are being passive and not actively combating his lies with the truth of God's word. When you don't wear your army, you're an easy target and can become weighed down with Satan's lies, and live in defeat.
So be active and put on our armor everyday in this fight. Let's "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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