This is War!
We are in a crazy time here in the United States. We are currently going to through a global pandemic with no signs of slowing down, racial injustice has been brought to the light causing a call for justice and equality, unemployment rates are through the roof and a political climate that has become more volatile as the years progress. These are the times where its so important for us to not get distracted by the world and go deeper into the word.
This is WAR!
Not against people or even our government. There is a more sinister enemy that hides behind what we see in the natural. He loves to come after your mind, emotions, relationships, jobs, your children, your purpose. We get distracted by all the chaos in this world that is being caused by this enemy and forget how to fight against it. We attack the real world issues but leave out the spiritual which only leaves the root of the problem unharmed and able to attack us through another worldly weapon. We become drained in this fight because we’re allowing the enemy get to our emotions and our mind. He causes us to have anxiety, which cause physical manifestations like insomnia. We are going about this war all wrong and defenseless.
We cannot afford to fight useless battles in the physical. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,” II Corinthians 10:4 NKJV. We have access to these weapons in heavenly places. Now you’re probably wondering what weapons. There is an armor given to us by God solely for this purpose!
Ephesians 6:10-18 talks about this specific armour:
Belt of truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Shoes of Peace
Shield of Faith
Helmet of Salvation
Sword of the Spirit- the word of God
The next line in this verse says that we are to pray in the spirit. This is a crucial part of the armour that we often do not add on because the author of Ephesians did not give it a piece of armour to be attached to it. But without prayer you will not be able to defeat the adversary. Prayer pulls down strongholds, prayer releases the Will of God and brings heaven to earth.
Let me explain each piece of this armor to you so you may strengthen yours and gird yourself against the attacks of the enemy.
Belt of Truth
This piece of the armor is the foundation of our faith. The truth that is in the Bible and all the things God says we are as born again Christians. It’s God’s truth and biblical truth that we must let strengthen us to the core. It is the foundation that the other pieces will rely on to function properly. Psalm 119:160 “The entirety of Your word is truth...”
Breastplate of Righteousness
Righteousness is not from ourselves or our own works but from Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. We must allow the Holy Spirit to help us look and act more like Jesus daily. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). God’s spirit lives with in me and because of that you have the power to live in a way that is right standing with God.
Shoes of Peace
Through having an intimate relationship with Jesus we gain stability that is inside us that isn’t subject to outside forces or situations. This peace allows us to walk into battles knowing that God is for us. God’s peace is a peace that goes beyond all understanding and is important for spiritual warfare because we need to not be lead by emotions (Philippians 4:7).
Shield of Faith
This is the application of your belief in Jesus. Which is an active reliance on God.
Helmet of Salvation
This is our belief that Jesus is our personal Lord and savior and the full inheritance we are given through our relationship with him. It’s about your identity and who you are in Christ. This guards you mind from the enemy attacking your mind.
Sword of the Spirit
This is the active an living word of God that we hear and read through the Bible. In Matthew 4:4 Jesus says “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out from the mouth of God.” Our power through spiritual warfare comes from the Word of God.
Prayer
This is how we gain access into the heavenly places. We can communicate with God and gain access to our inheritance in Christ Jesus which are His power, strength, promises and victory.
Now that I went over these brief descriptions, you may be wondering how do I apply this. So here is where you start.
- Read your Bible daily
- Actively search for a word from God specifically for you. Pray for understanding before you read.
- Pray dailly
- More than just a blessing over your meal. Actually speak with God and wait for a response.
- Walk this out daily
- Put your armor on daily. Remember who you are in Christ and that He has the victory. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and strengthen you.
Let’s Pray!
Father, thank you so much for this reader. Thank you for allowing me that opportunity to speak into their life about you and your ways. Lord guide us as we walk out on to the battle field girded with your Armor. Give us the discernment to see the schemes of the enemy and not fall victim to them. Let us not be distracted by the world and fight battles the way the world does. Help us to always remember that you are the way and the tools you have given us to fight this battle. Give us the strength and power to attack the strongholds of darkness with courage. For we know that you are the perfect and living God and it is through you we gain the victory. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.