The Armor of God

       

     I know of some people who would engage in a full-on battle for their addictions and the means to feed them. They will do whatever it takes to get their want satisfied and they don’t care who they hurt while they are getting what they think is satisfied. When you live in the world of addiction you do have to have a sort of warrior mentality in order to live in such a way because otherwise you would see your selfishness and the harm you cause others and you wouldn’t be able to sustain a life so self-pleasing and destructive. You have to have a kill or be killed mindset but people don’t realize so does the enemy and when people who live as addicts think they are living for and serving themselves they need to see they are really serving the enemy and his schemes.

 Trying to live and be content by feeding some all-consuming addiction and believing you are satisfied is nothing more than deception and when you live in that world you are basically a warrior of (for) the enemy. Even if you are unaware of it, if you are not putting on the armor of God and warring in the spirit realm you will not be able to live in the Victory our powerful Savior conquered for us. When you don’t live in the victory of Jesus then you have given the victory over to Satan.

       The only real satisfaction comes from Jesus Christ, knowing Him personally and serving Him as Lord and Savior. Until we come to Him and surrender everything to Him we will never know satisfaction. The world is full of people looking for something they will never find because true joy, peace, contentment and yes that ever elusive state of “happiness” can only be found in a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus.

      

We can live victorious in Christ and we can do it every day if we put on the whole armor of God. God gives us everything we need to not only live in Him but He also wants us to live in the victory Jesus died to give us. A Victory means a battle has taken place and we as Christians know that Jesus has already won the battle for us, all we have to do is abide in Him and live in that victory.

       One of the ways we can live victorious is to put on the whole armor of God and wear it always. God has great plans for His people (Jeremiah 29:11) and because the ultimate climax to His plan has us living triumphantly with Him in heaven our walk with Him here on earth is learning how to walk in the victory He already won for us when He conquered sin on the cross and death by resurrection! We already have the victory because our wonderful and glorious Savior did all that was needed to fight and win the battle. 

       So our responsibility is to suit up with God’s armor which is perfect in every way and remember there is a battle going on—yes, I know I said it has already been won and that is true but the enemy would have us believe that it isn’t and if he is successful we don’t live in the victory that Jesus already won for us. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 (NKJV) that, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…”, another way to say it is the “enemy” wars against us to steal our victory and to ultimately kill and destroy us—don’t let the enemy steal your victory.  

No warrior would go into battle against a formidable enemy without first suiting up and putting on every piece of protection available to them nor would they midway through the intense battle or right there on the battlefield start to take off or put down some of their protection. And so it is with the armor of God, put it on and don’t take it off.  And what a wonderful and GREAT Warrior we serve under who gives us everything we need to stand in the victory of this battle, but it helps us not if we don’t first put it on and then leave on every piece of armor we need to stand, live, and abide in our victory.

       Let’s look at what the bible tells us about God’s Armor and how we are to use it. If you are new to God’s family these instructions about God’s armor will be very important to learn but no more important for new Christians than for those of us who have been with God and serving in His army for awhile—we all need the armor of God or we cannot live in victory over our addictions (sins) of the past or our temptations of the future. 

       The scriptures about God’s armor and how to use it can be found in the book of Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10-18. I am going to paraphrase these verses but when you study them yourself insert your name where I have mine and learn how to put on the armor of God.

 Finally (ultimately), Sarah, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (not your own). If you put on the whole armor of God you will be able to stand against the wiles/ schemes of the devil. For your war/fight/battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly/supernatural places. Therefore, Sarah, take up the whole/entire/complete armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all (you know to do) to stand—stand therefore, (Therefore stand, don’t retreat or fall) having belted your waist with truth, and put on the breastplate of righteousness (Jesus is your righteousness), shod your feet (everywhere you walk do it) with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all take the shield of faith—you have a shield of faith, Sarah, take it up (hold it high) and use it to quench (stop) all the arrows being fired at you by the wicked one. Take up, put on the helmet of salvation and protect yourself with the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God; and Sarah, pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Be watchful and stand (stay) on your guard to this (the) end with all perseverance and supplication for all of God’s chosen people. 

       Note that all of the armor is protective and defensive gear the only actual weapon is the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. God’s word is so powerful that it is the only weapon we need as it tells us in Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) that “…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.” We can live in our victory by wielding our sword (of the Spirit—which is the word of God) at the enemy.  

       We don’t have to wander around with no protection from and unaware of the schemes of our enemy because we can suit up with the whole armor of God:

1.  Belt of truth-without truth none of the rest of the armor matters

2. Breastplate of Righteousness-Jesus is our righteousness and He must be in our hearts

3. Feet shod and walking in the gospel of peace-we must walk in peace (violence and discord are the ways of the enemy)

4. Shield of Faith-our faith is how we stop the arrows (attacks) of the enemy

5. Helmet of Salvation-we must be saved and walk in that salvation

6. Sword of the Spirit/the Word of God/the actual weapon-this is the one and only actual weapon, use it

7. Prayer in the Spirit/for all of God’s people-prayer is protection and a way to connect with our Warrior/Savior

8. Stand guard/Be watchful-Never let our guard down

       

So we must understand that we are fighting to stand, walk and live in the victory Jesus already fought and won for us. In her book, A Confident Heart, Renee Swope shares with us the names of God and He is “El ha-Gibbor: The Mighty God, God the Hero (Isa. 9:6)”. Let’s put on the whole armor of God and STAND, therefore, and proclaim that we live and abide in the victory that our Mighty Savior fought and triumphantly won for us!  Our victory is inevitable and certain because of our victorious and Mighty Savior. Hallelujah!!!

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