Let's recap before moving on:
Step One - Get Your Eyes On Him
Step Two - Get Peace In Your Heart
Step Three - Get Your Praise On
Now, let's examine the fourth step:
Step Four - Get Your Armor On
Remember, our Lord has not left us defenseless in the struggle we are going through. He has given us weapons and armor:
Remember, our Lord has not left us defenseless in the struggle we are going through. He has given us weapons and armor:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 King James Version (KJV) [Note: Normally, I link scriptures and then make my points, but the Armor is so important I wanted discuss each one as your eyes are looking at the Word.]
3 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;)
5 Casting
down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ;
·
Again, I can’t say enough about keeping your thoughts
centered on Christ. We don’t use earthly weapons, we use spiritual weapons when
we have our eyes on Christ. Notice it says our weapons are MIGHTY THROUGH GOD and we
will be able to pull down strong holds.
Ephesians
6:14-18
14 Stand therefore, having your loins
girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
·
The
truth is, you can do nothing in your own power, you can’t earn salvation, it is
a gift from God. This truth is like a belt, holding everything together.
·
The
breastplate covers the vital organs. His righteousness makes up the
breastplate. What He has done, and who He is, makes up our protection.
15 And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace;
·
Preparation means
readiness. Gospel means truth. Being ready to spread the truth. When the enemy
says you’re going down, be ready to say “I am more than a conqueror through
Christ who loves me.” Romans
8:37
16 Above all, taking the shield of
faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
·
The shield in Paul’s day
was big shield that you could crouch behind and it covered your whole body. The
exterior of the shield was treated so that flaming darts would be put out if
they lodged in the shield. Your faith can put out those fiery thoughts the
enemy tries to throw at you and finish you off. Fiery thoughts such as fear,
unbelief, doubt and failure. Faith extinguishes every one of those.
17 And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
·
The helmet of salvation is
a vital piece of equipment that blankets our brains with the knowledge of the
truth. The truth is God is our protection.
·
Satan will try to make you
believe you are not protected.
·
That’s when you use the
sword of the Spirit and stand firm on the promises in the Word. (More about
that later!)
18 Praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints;
·
I love this quote: “The idea is all kinds of prayer or prayer upon prayer.
We should use every kind of prayer we can think of. Group prayer, individual
prayer, silent prayer, shouting prayer, walking prayer, kneeling prayer,
eloquent prayer, groaning prayer, constant prayer, fervent prayer – just
pray.” [David Guzik]
·
And for whom do we do all this praying? The saints, your
brothers and sisters in Christ.
Just two steps to go! Come back next week to hear all about Step 5 - it's one of my favorites!
~~~
Today, I'm linking my post with the communities at Arabah Joy' Grace&Truth and Crystal's #FreshMarketFriday. You'll find wonderful words of wisdom there!
Jerralea, I like being reminded about the size of our shield and your image of crouching behind it. It reminded me of how we are hidden in Christ in God. He is my shield as is my faith in Him. Great verses.
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