October 24th
OCTOBER 24th
Because we battle, we must suit up in our armor. Everyday. Leaving your armor on your nightstand doesn’t help you at work does it? Now obviously it isn’t physical armor because our battle isn’t physical, but the analogy still pertains. What is our armor?
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
We see here that there are pieces of armor to be used for defense and weapons to be used for offense. The belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness protect our vulnerable internal parts like our heart and breath. Belts that were part of armor were not like what we think of these days. They were quite large and fit up against the breastplate so that no vulnerable parts were exposed. Truth does not let any lies in. When we allow truth to protect us, it exposes the lies. Righteousness protects our heart and breath of life, all of which come from God. The righteousness was given to us when Jesus took on our sin for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The gospel of peace makes us ready to move, because we are no longer weighed down by the guilt of our sin. The shield of faith. Too often this is overlooked but it is our defense against the flaming arrows of the enemy. Remember when Jesus told Peter that he would deny him 3 times, what did Jesus say He would pray for Peter?
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
He prayed that his faith wouldn’t fail. Faith was the defense. We have a covering over our head, salvation gave us the right to have the mind of Christ so we can be connected to and tactically in sync with our Commander in Chief.
1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Finally we have our weapons. The same two weapons that Jesus Himself used here on earth to defeat the enemy. The sword of the spirit which is the Word of God and the Prayer. Praying in the Spirit at all times. Jesus used these 2 weapons often. If you read the Gospels you will see it. Pay attention to how Jesus defeated the enemy directly when he was tempted by satan in the wilderness. He used the Word of God.
So we are fully equipped to face the enemy. There is no reason to shrink back from the battle. We can proceed with confidence, confidence in the One who lives in us and has provided us with the armor and weapons we need.
Lord thank you for providing me with all that I need to do battle. Help me to learn to use them everyday. Help me to make it a habit of putting on my armor and my weapons every morning and walking with you through my day. Holy Spirit guide me, make me aware of the battles going on in me and in my life. Help me to know what to do. Help me to stand in faith. Thank you for providing for me Lord.