THE ARMOR OF GOD

The day I was at a park when it was about 38 degrees out, I started putting on layer after layer of coats and sweatshirts to keep warm while I was sitting out in nature enjoying God’s presence.  It made me think of the Armor of God that we, as Christians, need to put on daily to withstand the enemy that likes to sidetrack us.

 

 

We need to remember to keep our eyes on the cross, where victory has been achieved through Jesus’ death and resurrection.  A phrase from the song “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns resonated with me, especially today.  Think about the truth of this:

If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You’ll know I always have and I always will.

What a powerful reminder to remember Jesus’ great love for us as we keep our eyes and thoughts on the cross!

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he writes:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.   –Ephesians 6:10-13  (NIV)

  

So many of the struggles we face in this life are against the devil: against the things we cannot “see.”

Do you ever think you aren’t good enough and that you don’t measure up?  Do you believe you will never be successful and aren’t worthy of love?  Those are lies from the enemy!

We need to fight those lies and negative thoughts by putting on the full armor of God so we can stand our ground!

 

Let’s continue looking at the subsequent verses from Ephesians 6:14-18 (NIV) to reflect on the Armor of God…

 

 

The belt of truth, the first piece of the armor, is vital.  The truth is the Word of God; as we know, Satan is the father of lies.

While speaking to some Jews, Jesus said,

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  –John 8:44  (NIV)

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  –John 17:17  (NIV)

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  –John 8:31-32  (ESV)

**We need to keep diligent in reading and meditating on the Word so that we know the truth.  With the truth, we can gird our loins and fight the enemy.  Speak truth into your life.

 

 

 

What are we to put on the main part of our body?  Righteousness!  Righteousness is being made right with God.

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother and sister.  –1 John 3:10  (NIV)

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  –2 Corinthians 5:21  (NIV)

**How can we live a righteous life? We can try to follow Jesus’ example when He walked this earth.  Jesus’ character of loving everyone, sharing the Good News of salvation, and doing what is right in God’s eyes.

 

 

 

 

Our feet must be always ready to go wherever needed to bring the Good News, the gospel of peace, to others.

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”  –Luke 10:41-42  (NLT)

Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.  –Luke 1:78-79  (ESV)

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  –John 20:21  (NIV)

**We need to shake off worry and anxiety, replacing it with the anchor of peace and hope, sharing the Good News.

 

 

Our faith is another vital tool that we need to live daily.  Faith can stand the test of time by fighting the evil one.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  –1 Peter 5:8-9  (NIV)

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.  –Hebrews 11:6  (NLT)

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.  –1 John 5:4  (ESV)

**Our faith is greater than the enemy is!  We have the victory through Jesus; He has overcome the world for us!

 

 

 

One of the first steps in a relationship with Jesus is accepting the gift of His salvation in our lives.  How fitting that we have the Helmet of Salvation to put on our head.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  –Romans 10:9  (NIV)

**May we always be grateful for the gift of salvation in our lives that guides our life.  It is the greatest gift we have, and we have the honor of sharing that with others.

 

 

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.  –Hebrews 4:12  (NLT)

 

 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  –Colossians 4:2  (NIV)

**If we take to heart the Sword of the Spirit and praying in the Spirit, we will be able to withstand the spiritual battles that come our way. 

 

This week may you be encouraged to consciously put on the full armor of God, piece by piece.

Be ready for battle knowing with the armor of God, along with the Word, and prayer you are victorious because of what Christ did for you!