Armor Up!

January 21, 2021

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

~Ephesians 6:11~

We are living in some rather interesting times. As things around us begin to change, we may feel a shift inside of us that does not seem right. My friends, we are in the midst of a spiritual battle. Attacks on our emotions and health. Hinderance from doing the will of God. Confusion. Fear. Division. Satan is working as fast as he can to try to bring God's people down. I say God's people because when we are believers we are set apart from the world; "By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

(Hebrews 10:10)

We are not of this world or in bondage to the things of the kingdom of darkness. We are called to fight on the Lord's side. This is why when people come to accept the Lord into their life they instantly are tested by the enemy. Satan only has one desire; "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." (John 10:10)

This is what satan enjoys best, he is rather twisted. When we are on God's side and He is on ours, we are protected; "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalms 118:6)

For we are His. We are in the midst of a battle and we must be preparing. How do we prepare? We pray a lot more then we typically pray, we speak the word of God over our family and friends and we stand our ground in faith no matter what may occur around us. Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God. Notice he says "put on." We must dress ourselves, Jesus can't do it for us. We have a part to play in this relationship with the Lord. Jesus cannot afford to enlist a lazy soldier. Just as if a physical being were attacking you and your family, you would fight. There are spiritual hosts of wickedness attacking us and we are called to fight! "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."

(Ephesians 6:12)

The main key to defeating the devil each day is to testify what Jesus did for us on the cross out loud and speak about His Blood that was shed for us. In order to speak this boldy we must first fully submit to God. "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

We cannot submit only a portion of our life to God and expect to make the devil flee. It must be our whole self given to God. Every area in our body, soul and spirit. Our soul is what the devil is truely after because it is the part of us that, if not aligned to God, can give into fleshly desires and in turn give into him. The soul is the part of us that says "I feel, I want, I think."

"The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich." (Proverbs 13:4)

God wants us to line our body, soul and spirit to Him so that our desires match His desires. We do not want to get caught up in the lusts of this world. So an attack by the enemy will be to target this area of us to tempt us so that we are not fully submitted to God. When we are off even by a little, we are not ready for battle. The armor of God should be worn every single day. As christians we cannot think we are to just sit back, pray and wait. We are to keep moving in our positions He has us in, armored up, ready to knock over any spiritual force that comes against us. If we do not, Paul tells us clearly we will not be able to stand against the wiles of satan. If there is anyone who knew about being attacked on a regular basis, it was Paul. "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure."

(II Corinthians 12:7)

Paul had a thorn in his flesh, a tormenting spirit, to cause hinderance and persecution lest he should boast at all in his journey. Although you may think this is silly for God to allow to his servant, it really is a brilliant strategy. The Lord knew Paul needed something to push him forward in humility. Paul's strength was made perfect in his weakness, just like with Jesus Himself.

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)

His mission was to fully submit and show the world Jesus Christ with faith. As others watch us fall, yet we still hold on to the Lord and His promises that others cannot see, they will wonder where such faith comes from. I know I did before I was saved. Paul had his armor on each day and knew the importance of recognizing the spiritual battle he signed up for. We are called to stand firm for Jesus, no matter what. We have strength in Him. We have nothing to fear. We are never alone. "Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." (I Peter 5:9)

We can lock arms with the rest of our army and fight together resisting the devil and his devices. Paul had his brothers with him most of the time as he journeyed forward for the gospel. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Even when we are apart from our brothers and sisters we can unite in spirit always. As we pray for eachother, we are together. As we battle the devil in spirit, we are together. As we worship in spirit and in truth, we are together. This battle is not of the flesh. We are not to be against people, we are fighting against persons without bodies. We must remember that when someone may upset us or attack us in some form. It is not the person, it is the spirit. Jesus knew this with His own people; "And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat."

(Luke 22:31)

"Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”

(Matthew 26:25)

Jesus already knew these people would be taken over by satan and betray Him. Having known that He overcame the evil on them with good. "Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots."

(Luke 23:34)

When we look at our situations from a spiritual point of view, we can defeat the devil's lies in trying to divide us, harm eachother physically and turn our souls towards evil. Put on the whole armor of God my friends, stand on the word of God, pray like you have never prayed before! The devil has already lost, Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank you for being my shield of protection. Thank you for the breast plate of righteousness that protects my heart for You. Thank you for my feet shod with preparation to spread the gospel of peace. Thank you for the sword of the spirit that pierces the lies of the enemy. Thank you for my helmet of salvation that protects my thought process from evil. Thank you for giving me a belt of truth to hold it all together in place. Remind me each day to put on Your armor so that I can do all to stand. I declare the devil has no authority in my life. I want to stand with the Lord of Hosts and fight beside You. I want to always be on the winning team. Give me patience as I remember I am not fighting against people. I do not wish to give into the father of lies and allow any division. We must unite together and I vow to always speak the truth. The truth shall set me free! Praises be to the Highest who sits on His throne for His lovingkindess and strength, without You I would crumble just as Peter did, just as Judas did. I keep my eyes on You, my Counseler, my Redeemer, my Friend. I receive divine instruction from You as I push ahead into this battle. In the Mighty Name of Yeshua our King. Amen.