Without Donning the Lord’s Armor, Deception and Defeat Will Be Waiting at Your Door!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11- Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12- For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13- Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14- Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15- and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16- In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17- and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18- praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” -Eph 6:10-18 (ESV)

So we see what we as professing, believing, walking the walk Christians should be donning every day without fail. After all a soldier wouldn’t go into battle without their weapons, bullets, flak vest, or helmet, would they?

As Paul spells out for the Ephesian churchgoers, these are things that they/we must put on each day to battle against the enemy of our soul – Satan and his hoards. And friends, these foes are tremendously formidable, strong, persistent and never rest from the attack. We are soldiers in the Army of the Lord and as such we had better be prepared each and every day for a battle –  a battle for your soul.

But what does your spiritual armor look like?

When Paul wrote this he was fully aware of the Roman soldiers and what they looked like in the physical, so he patterned our spiritual wear similar only ours is in the spiritual realm. Our battle is in the realm we can’t see but nevertheless present.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4- For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;” -2 Cor 10:3-4 (KJV)

Most of today’s Christians know little of this warfare that’s going on all around them. Why? There’s no battle in their lives. Why? Cause they are already dormant in their faith and do little for the Lord. They are comfortable with their “stuff” and many spend little to no time getting to know the Lord and telling others about their faith. Just going to church is easy-peasy – no threat there. But what about the real Christian who takes a stand for the Lord – in church and out of church? Some have faced much persecution and spiritual battles to try and take them out. And Satan’s purpose for you is:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.;” -2 Cor 10:10 (NASB)

Back again to our armor … so what does your spiritual armor look like?

Today’s lethargic, complacent and compromising church, pastors and Christians spiritual armor most likely resembles the following:

• Helmet of Salvation = ball cap
• Breastplate of Righteousness = spring jacket
• Belt of Truth = cheap string
• Shoes of Readiness = shower tongs
• Shield of Faith = thin cardboard
• Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) = tiny pocket knife

 

Yes, all these resemble what today’s anemic Christian spiritual armor looks like and it’s an embarrassment to the Lord. Instead of being a strong warrior in the Lord and a believing, walking in faith prayer soldier,  they have become deceived and weak if not defeated trusting in their stuff – their own securities – to carry them through – wealth, savings, 401k’s, retirement nest eggs, jobs, positions, health, etc.

How about you? Look in the spiritual mirror and examine for yourself where you stand as a battlefield spiritual prepared warrior. Do you retreat from taking a stand in the Lord – remember in the context verses above after strapping all our armor on, we must stand and pray.  And then after that – stand and pray, know the word of God and knowing and understanding Jesus His Only Begotten Son – our Lord and Savior.

Time to take an assessment … change course … toss your ineffective, old, and rusty spiritual excuses for armor and strap on heavy-duty armor – God’s armor!

Amen!

 

-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

GLORY TO GOD!