The Armor of God 

 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.-Romans 13:12

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ephesians 6:10-18
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil   For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRUTH

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;    -Luke 12:35  

SOLDIER:

The soldier wore a loose fitting square shaped garment which had three holes in it. One was for his head and the other two for his arms. After the soldier slipped the tunic on, he tightened it close to his waist with a belt.

This prevented any danger of the material catching on anything during battle.

Right before battle, he would gird himself by making sure the tunic was pulled tightly to his body and all loose ends tucked in.

 

BELIEVER:

As believers in Jesus Christ, we should always be girded with the truth of God's Word. It is only in His Word that we gain victory, for God has said His Word does not return void.

With focus on Jesus, we will not be distracted from outside sources. Our goal is to please Him, not man.

God's way is always perfect and complete. Man's way is full of flaws and disappointments.

Our armor is our Source and His Word.

The Bible says Every knee shall bow at the Name of Jesus. It is at this Name that demons flee as we speak the Word in faith.

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.                     2 Timothy 2:4

The truth of the Bible always brings about change and freedom in the lives of those who choose to believe. It is written in John 8:32, "And ye shall know the truth , and the truth shall make you free."

It is the truth of the gospel that brings an awakening of salvation and what it means to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. It is this truth that empowers believers with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, allowing  the receiver to live a godly life. This truth causes believers to be being closer to the Lord  as He imparts wisdom and the knowledge of His Word through revelation. It is the truth of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that provides everlasting life.

Yes, the truth of the Word of God brings victory!
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; "                          Romans 1:16

 

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS     

SOLDIER:

A soldier wore a breastplate into battle. This was made of heavy material, usually leather. Pieces of animal hoofs or horns were sewn onto it. This provided protection of the soldier's torso, his heart, lungs and other vital organs.

BELIEVER:

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.                                                               1 Thessalonians 5:8
Everyone involved in spiritual warfare needs this covering to withstand attacks of Satan and his schemes.

God's Word tells us, "Be ye holy for I am holy."  The believer's breastplate of righteousness is provided through Jesus Christ, Our Passover Lamb.

  • Righteousness simply means to be in right standing with God. It was Jesus , Our Passover lamb, Who made that possible when He  became the atonement for our sins.
    God now sees Jesus when He looks upon us because we have been bought with the Holy blood of His Son.

    A life of obedience to God through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, produces a life of holiness that is essential to every believer. It is vital that we take care to guard our heart. It should seek to please God and do what is right in His sight. The more our heart turns toward Him and the knowledge of His Word, the more we will be concerned about doing what is right  according to His Word.

     This can only happen as we  allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the  truths of God to us as we yield ourselves to Him. It is only then that  our life will take on more godly characteristics in our behavior. Our character will become apparently more like Jesus, and our life a strong witness of the power of God.


    "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness,"-Isaiah 61:17

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    GOSPEL OF PEACE

    SOLDIER: 

    Combat boots are tough and meant to last a long time as soldiers march across vast areas. Soldiers of the first century wore sandals (boots)  that had long laces. They were made to grip the ground by placing nails in the bottoms of the boots. This assured good footing during combat.

    BELIEVER:
    "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation;"                                        Isaiah 52:7 (Nah. 1:15)


    The combat boots of a believer involved in warfare will go the extra mile to present the gospel of peace. It is this good news that a hungry world needs as the truths of life are sought.

    And although sacrifices of time may be made through readjusting our busy schedules , it is worth it all to see a life set free from sin and eternal damnation.

    How wonderful it is to share the "good news" that Jesus saves, heals and delivers! Praise His Name forever!

    Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. He will never change . He will never leave nor forsake you. He has taken on our burdens and HE IS OUR PEACE. 

    We have inner peace in knowing our sins are forgiven and yes, we are justified by faith. It is by faith that we accept Him and it is through this faith that we know in our heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

    "For he is our peace"-Ephesians 2:14

    "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"-Romans 5:1

    "And came and preached peace to you which were afar off" -Ephesians 2:1

     

    SHIELD OF FAITH  

    SOLDIER:

    The soldiers of the first century had a shield which was made of wood and measured about two feet by four feet. It was covered with hides. The fiery dart of which this verse is speaking of was an arrow that was covered with pitch and set on fire. It was to be aimed at the enemy.
     

    BELIEVER:

    To have faith in God is to trust Him. God's Word is pure, everlasting and sufficient. His promises are true.
     

    "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."-Proverbs 30:5

    "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. "
    -1John 5:4

    "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe"-Proverbs 18:

     

    HELMET OF SALVATION  

    SOLDIER:

    A good soldier will always remember his helmet. A soldier's helmet was made of bronze and equipped with cheek pieces to protect  the head. The helmet protects the most vital organ, the brain. Severe injury to the brain can be fatal if not crippling.

    BELIEVER:
    The child of God must take care to protect the mind. Satan is forever directing darts of doubt and discouragement to the thought life.

    Thoughts of doubt, unbelief and insecurity can be very disabling in the life of a believer. The goal of Satan is to make believers feel so unworthy that he/she won't step out in faith to do the things God has called them to do.

    Another tactic of Satan is to attack the assurance of the believer that he/she is saved. The blood of Christ has bought us and although we are not worthy in ourselves, Jesus has covered us in the assurance of His sacrifice for us. We are made worthy through the work of the Cross.

    Believers must take care to renew the mind daily in prayer and the Word of God. It will continuously wash our mind through the power of the Holy Spirit as God speaks to us. The Word of God gives strength and faith as we deal with day to day problems.

    Praise music and worship is an excellent way to guard the mind. It is in itself a form of prayer to God.
    "O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. "-Psalm 104:7

    SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.....WORD OF GOD  

    SOLDIER:

    The Machaira was a two-edged sword used by Roman legionaries. It was a small weapon approximately 6-18 inches long.  It was so accurate that it was  deadly. The sword was used as both an offensive and defensive weapon.

    BELIEVER:

    The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. HIS WORD IS TRUTH.

    The truth of the Word of God is adequate for the believer in spiritual warfare. It is powerful to destroy any and all the strategies of Satan and his demons.

    Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. He used Scripture, the Word of God, to defeat the tactics of Satan against Him. The example Jesus set for us is to be taken seriously by us. Take up the sword and fight with prayer and faith. Praise God for His Word given to us!!
    "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."-Hebrew 4:12


    "and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations":-Rev.19:13-15

        The sword of Spirit, the Word of God is quick and powerful. As we take up the sword and wield it properly, it is accurate to do the job and cut down the devises of the enemy.

     

    PRAYER  

    Praying the Word of God through the Holy Spirit is effective, powerful, and mighty. The Holy Spirit helps us pray according to the Word, directing our sword according to God's Will.
    The Holy Spirit will give us insight, direction, discerning and guidance as we intercede for our needs and the needs of others.
    As believers, we have been given authority to pray in the Name of Jesus, to speak forth in that Name as we bind up every tactic of Satan.

    Philippians 2: 9-11 says this:
    "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

    Finally, soldiers must remain on the alert. We should also remain on the alert continually so we won't suffer any surprise attacks. BE WATCHFUL AND BE PREPARED.
    As we use the armor given to us, we will be well equipped and well prepared for front-line warfare and victory.

     

     

    TO GOD BE THE GLORY, THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,  IN AND THROUGH THE POWER OF THE BLESSED HOLY SPIRIT FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH, OUR COMFORTER AND OUR TEACHER AND THROUGH  THE SCRIPTURES, OUR HOLY BIBLE. AMEN.

     

     

    BLESSINGS TO YOU IN JESUS,

    OUR SAVIOR

                  - CONNIE JANSEN

     


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