Thursday, February 28, 2008

Full Armor of God

Yesterday was probably the worst day in months that I can remember in terms of being attacked spiritually. It literally felt as though I was being held down to the ground by some invisible hand. Thoughts of failure and temptation riddled my mind. I prayed...and prayed some more. Then texted David and asked him to pray. It was an ongoing battle as I moved throughout the day and it wasn't until I actually started my way home from work and get serious with God that it finally ended. I looked back later on as I laid on my couch just exhausted from the day and noticed that I had not put on the full armor of God yesterday. Ephesians 6 talks about it and its definitely a subject of many teachings in church as a child, but what does it mean to put on the Full Armor of God? Its made up of the Gospel of Peace, Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shield of Faith, and the Sword of the Spirit (God's Word). What do you think it means by putting it on? This morning as I prayed I literally spoke out that I was putting the armor on. The truth is God gives us his resources to defend ourselves when Satan comes against us. So how is it sometimes we fail? Just something for thought. Only you can really answer that question on your own behalf. As for myself, I'll just be honest and say that is something I'm seeking the Lord about.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." - Ephesians 6:14-17 NIV

The enemy is going to tempt you and remind you of past failure. ALWAYS REMEMBER, he is a lair! The battle is in your mind (take your thoughts captive, 2 Corinthians 10:5). When you are tempted AT ALL (past failure, guilt, etc.), remind yourself of the TRUTH! Who are you IN CHRIST? Fight lies with truth! Remember how Jesus quoted scripture each time Satan tempted Him in the wilderness?

"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
Jesus is YOUR righteousness! Use the power in His name and in His blood!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." - Philippians 4:6-9 NIV

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." - Romans 12:18 NIV

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." - Romans 10:17 NIV

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:12 NIV

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." - John 1:1 NIV

It's ALL summed up in JESUS! Jesus is TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, FAITH (faith comes by hearing the Word, and Jesus IS the Word), SALVATION and THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD!

Arm yourself with the truth in the Word of God, and PRAY the Word in the name and blood of Jesus! Jesus is your armor!

Derek said...

As always Rebekah, thank you for the verses. Good stuff...very good stuff.