Happy Wednesday, Friends! And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday (at least, I always intend to), and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. I love hearing from you. As you share your insights and thoughts, you bless lots of people in the process.
Now onto my topic…
I started this post last week but couldn’t finish it until today. But sometimes things work out just as they should. This week’s post is all about shoring up your life against the enemy’s schemes. This past Friday on the show I talked about Beth Moore’s excellent book, When Godly People Do Ungodly Things: Arming Yourself in the Age of Seduction.
We had a POWERFUL time! Our callers were excellent. They shared honest stories of how they averted temptation or how they walked right into it and paid a dear price as a result. Over 140 people shared the podcast after the live show. What an important show it was! Here’s the link to Friday’s show. Please share it with a friend. Everywhere I turn, I see once godly people falling away from the faith, falling headlong into sin. Today's post and Friday's show both feel like an urgent word for our times.
Recently the following passage jumped off the page at me:
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…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, 11, 13).
Verse 12 tells us that 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.
Twice in the passage above it instructs us to put on the FULL armor of God. Let’s explore why we need each piece of armor:
Belt of Truth: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The truth sets us free. It’s our plumb line. Truth cuts through the confusion the enemy sends our way. If we’re not girded up with the truth, we’ll lose our way. There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death (Proverbs 14:12).
*If the enemy can deceive us, he’ll derail us. We need God’s TRUTH to stand fast in battle. The enemy will work tirelessly to make you question God’s Word of truth and your ability to hear His voice. You need your belt of truth.
Breastplate of Righteousness: We are the righteousness of God IN Christ Jesus. When we came to Christ, He took our rags of unrighteousness and replaced them with a royal robe. We are now heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ Jesus. That breastplate covers the very essence of our lives, our heart, and our identity. 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).
*If we let the enemy make us doubt our right standing before the Father, we will pray as paupers and not as royal heirs; we’ll be more sin conscious than Savior conscious. The prayers of the RIGHTEOUS (those who know their true identity in Christ) accomplish great and powerful things. The enemy will work tirelessly to attack your sense of identity and royalty in Christ. He’ll work to keep you focused on what you do instead of what Christ has already done. You need your breastplate of righteousness.
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: God arms us with the power and life-giving truth of the gospel. His peace guides us on wisdom’s best path for us. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Where He guides, He provides. Scripture says that His Spirit makes us competent ministers of the gospel (see 2 Corinthians 3:6).
*If we let the enemy rob us of our peace and our sense of purpose, we’ll live earthbound lives that lack power, peace, and perspective. When we forget that we’re under God’s care and under His charge, discontentment and insecurity will reign supreme. The enemy will work tirelessly to bait you into a self involved, uninspired, reactionary life because he doesn’t want you to know that you’re divinely called and profoundly equipped. You need your shoes of peace.
Helmet of Salvation: We have the mind of Christ. We’re called to an eternal perspective. Where our thoughts go, our life follows. Battles are won or lost in the mind. When we remember our eternal destiny, when we remember what Christ has done our behalf, when we regard others from an eternal point of view, we live the other-worldly life we were destined for.
*If we allow the enemy to dominate our thoughts or distract us from God’s life-giving truth, we will wander into enemy territory unprepared and unprotected. Sin is first conceived in the mind. Battles are won or lost in the mind. The enemy will relentlessly work to dominate your thoughts until he realizes he has no right to. You need your helmet of salvation.
Shield of Faith & Sword of the Spirit: God has given us supernaturally powered weapons for the supernatural battle we face. When the enemy shoots his flaming arrows of accusation and fearful threats, we can lift our shield of faith and block every single arrow. When someone we love or we are held captive by a lie, we can lift our sword and strike a deathblow to each lie so we can walk free. Our shield and our sword are mighty weapons of warfare!
*If we leave our shield and sword under our bed, if we don’t know our rights as a child of God, the enemy will take advantage of our vulnerability. We do not need to live in fear or cower at the threats of our enemy! Overwhelming victory is ours. The enemy will shoot his arrows at your most vulnerable moments. You must always be armed and ready for battle. You desperately need your shield and your sword. Have faith in the power God has entrusted you. Have faith in the power of His Word.
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…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, 11, 13).
~ Until next week…