As we enter into revival season, I want to prepare you for any kind of warfare you may face in your personal life. Last week, we learned that we are in a multidimensional battle with the enemy. Today, we'll dive into how to equip ourselves for this battle using the armor of God.
Understanding the Multidimensional Nature of Spiritual Warfare
When Paul tells us that we wrestle not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), he's not saying we don't struggle with actual people. What he's emphasizing is that we shouldn't be deceived into thinking it's only about the physical. There are many more aspects to the battle we're in:
- Soulical battles: Our personal temptations and struggles
- Psychological battles: Keeping our minds renewed and refreshed in God's things
- Physical battles: Maintaining our health and well-being
- Spiritual battles: The warfare waged around us at all times
Today, we'll focus on the spiritual battle and how to prepare ourselves using the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-18.
The Belt of Truth: Your Foundation for Spiritual Warfare
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist" (Ephesians 6:14a)
The belt of truth is central to our spiritual armor. It's not just about having personal integrity, but about being rooted in the truth of who God is. We need to move away from the popula " this is my truth" concept and embrace God's objective truth.
As Christians, it's our responsibility to put on the belt of truth. This means standing firm on God's Word, even when it's unpopular or contradicts cultural norms. We shouldn't apologize for what the Bible says. Instead, we need to align our hearts with God's truth.
The Breastplate of Righteousness: Protecting Your Heart
"with the breastplate of righteousness in place" (Ephesians 6:14b)
The breastplate of righteousness protects our vital organs, especially our heart. I've always said, "There is no boldness without holiness." If you're not living in the righteousness that Jesus accomplished for us, you'll never be truly bold in your faith.
We need to be cautious about what we allow into our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts above all else, for out of it flow all the important things of life. Don't compromise on righteousness to fit in with the world. Instead, let the breastplate of righteousness keep you safe as you move into the next level of what God has for your life.
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: Standing Firm in Any Terrain
"and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15)
Having the right shoes gives you confidence and peace to know you're equipped for any terrain. The gospel of peace is our spiritual footwear. It's the good news that we don't have to live in sin any longer because Jesus saved us.
This peace enables us to go wherever we need to go and walk confidently in any situation. When you put on the shoes of the gospel of peace, you're ready to face any challenge that comes your way.
The Shield of Faith: Extinguishing the Enemy's Fiery Darts
"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16)
Faith guards our minds and acts as a buffer, shielding us from the fiery darts of the enemy. Remember, no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Your heritage as a child of God is victory!
To build your faith, you need to hear the Word of God regularly. Make a decision that when you hear God's Word, your faith will be built. It's not conditional on who's preaching or whether you've heard the message before. It's conditional on whether you choose to live with the shield of faith up or not.
The Helmet of Salvation: Protecting Your Mind
"Take the helmet of salvation" (Ephesians 6:17a)
The helmet of salvation is crucial for protecting our minds. We need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, reminding ourselves daily of who we are in Christ. Speak out loud about your identity in Jesus – it may seem corny in the moment, but it's effective!
The helmet of salvation helps us reprogram our thinking. Just like cognitive behavioral therapy helps reframe negative thought patterns, the helmet of salvation keeps us focused on our eternal hope and the truth of who we are in Christ.
The Sword of the Spirit: Your Offensive Weapon
"and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17b)
The sword of the Spirit is our offensive weapon in spiritual warfare. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He used Scripture to combat each attack. We need to do the same.
Get the Word of God in your heart. Prepare yourself for battle by memorizing key scriptures. Use these verses when you're in trouble or facing a difficult situation. The word of God is "quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).
Praying in the Spirit: Your Secret Weapon
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (Ephesians 6:18a)
Prayer in the Spirit is our secret weapon in spiritual warfare. There are times when you've prayed everything you can possibly pray in your natural language. That's when it's time to pray in tongues, letting the Holy Spirit take over in prayer.
This kind of prayer allows you to intercede for things you don't even know you need to be praying about. It's a powerful tool in spiritual warfare that we often neglect.
Standing Together: The Power of United Believers
In the Roman military culture, soldiers used formations like the phalanx or cohort to conquer territories. Similarly, when believers stand together in the full armor of God, we can not only stand our ground but also take new ground for the Kingdom.
Imagine what we can accomplish as the body of Christ when we all put on the full armor of God. Together, we can work in unity to achieve things far greater than what any of us could do individually.
Examining Your Spiritual Armor: Where Are You Vulnerable?
I encourage you to examine every area of your life and fortify your faith. Which piece of the armor do you struggle with the most? That's probably the area where the enemy is most likely to attack you.
Remember, the enemy will always look for the path of least resistance. If you've left one area unprotected, that's where he'll strike. So, put on the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground.
A Call to Salvation: Experiencing God's Incredible Love
If you're reading this and you don't know Jesus, I want you to understand how much He loves you. His love for you is beyond anything you can imagine. He created you in a special, unique way, and He cares for you deeply.
John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." I encourage you to personalize this verse by putting your name in it: "For God so loved [Your Name] that he gave his one and only Son..."
If you're ready to experience this love and surrender your life to Jesus, pray this simple prayer:
"Lord, forgive me of my sins. I'm turning away from my old life and walking into a brand new life. I'm putting my faith in Jesus. Thank you for loving me and saving me. Help me, God, to put on the full armor of God in everything I do in my life. So I'm protected to move forward in my destiny, to stand my ground for you. Lord, help me live by the power of the Holy Spirit in everything I do. Thank you for dying for me and raising again from the dead so I could have eternal life. In Jesus' name, amen."
If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God! I encourage you to get a Bible, find a local church, and begin your journey of walking with Jesus. Remember, you're now equipped with the full armor of God. Stand firm, take ground, and live the victorious life God has planned for you!
