DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT 03-24-2014 FULL ARMOR OF GOD By Fred Trokie As warriors of Christ, we are meant to always be moving forward in our walk with God, standing firm in our faith, as we trust in the Lord and the armor that He has given us, which protects us from the wiles of the enemy. Ephesians 6:10-11 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Notice that it says to put on the full armor of God. You can’t just put one or two pieces on, you have to put the whole armor on. The Roman soldier could not go to battle carrying his shield and nothing else, to be fully protected, he needed to be wearing his whole armor. So it is the same with believers in Jesus Christ. We will not be able to stand and achieve victory in our daily walk with God, when we are not fully protected. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. In other words we are dealing with dark forces in this world that are not of this world. The Christian’s battle is against these forces, and we must put on the full armor of God to withstand their attacks. And having on the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14). Clearly Our source of righteousness comes directly from our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. The breast plate of righteousness protects our heart, so we will always have a desire to do what’s right and obey His commands. Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Any military man knows that without good shoes the military cannot be effective in their missions. It is the shoes that that help the military travel over rough terrain keeping them sturdy in traction so as not to slip and fall. Good shoes also help them to gain traction and move ahead when things are messy, rocky, wet, sloping or dangerous. The Gospel keeps us marching as we proclaim it, and it gives us traction during our trials and tribulations. It allows us to stand firm against our enemies during spiritual battles. When things get rough the Gospel gives us the traction we need to always move forward in face of our adversities. 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. Ephesians 6:16a Above all, taking the shield of faith. The shield of a Roman soldier in Pauls time, prior to battle, was often fitted with leather. This leather was stretched across the front prior to going into battle and soaked with water to stop the fiery darts of the enemy. When the fiery darts hit the shield, the fire was extinguished and the soldier would be able to keep their shield for protection during the battle. So it is with our faith when we are called to use it. Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God ; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. These good works are not the cause of our salvation, but the result of our salvation. God desires for us to walk in them by faith. Just as the Holy Spirit protects our faith we must be willing to use our faith to move forward in our march toward victory. Ephesians 6:16b with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Here is a list of some of the flamming arrows that Satan consistently aims at us. Accusing - Job 1, Rev 12 Afflicting – Luke 13:16 (woman bowed together) Conquering - Acts 10, 2Tim 2:16 Deception - Gen 3, John 8:44 (He’s a liar) Hindrance - 1 Thess 2:18 Murders- John 8:44 Perversion - Acts 13:10, 2Thess 2:9 Prompting - 1Chron 21:1 (David’s census) Scheming - 2Cor 2:11, Eph 6:11, Acts 5:3 (Ananias) Stalking - 1Peter 5:8 Stealing - Matt 13:19 (sowers seed) Tempting - Matt 6:13 (Lord’s Prayer), Mark 1:12 (tempting Jesus) Threats - Heb 2:14 (holder of death...enslaved those who feared death) Ephesians 6:17a And take the helmet of salvation, The helmet of salvation protects our mind. All too often many of us are attacked in our minds. We are depressed, have fears, insecurities, and anxieties, and we consistently have unrighteous thoughts. But the helmet of salvation needs to be always on. It is something that we should be wearing at all times, so that we may be consistently filled by the Spirit, which results in the manifestation of the fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. The problem is too many of us take our helmet of salvation off when we feel safe and secure, and some of us never wear it at all, thus leaving the believer vulnerable to satanic attacks of the mind . Ephesians 6:17b and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: The word of God is our power. It helps us to know His will, and allows us to protect ourselves from the enemies deceptions, just as Jesus did in the desert when tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). God’s word gives us strength, it speaks to us through the Spirit, and we must wield it as our weapon. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. As we walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) let us always remember to pray in the Spirit. As we do, the Spirit intercedes for us so that our prayers will always be in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27 26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. God Bless - Fred
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 22:56:04 +0000