Getting dressed is a matter of function. Form follows function. There is order to this concept, and a message is sent to self and other when our attire matches the event or work we attend. Right now you can't see me. I am sitting at my kitchen table, a dog lounging near by, whilst I type comfortably in my pj's ... but I am considering an outfit change, dear one, to face the battle ahead.
Perhaps you will suit up with me, in the armour of God.
I want us to put each piece in place, prior to turning in unison to face what used to be an almost invisible enemy. In my youth, I could see a cloaked figure, standing in the corner of a room. In my sleep, on the verge of wakefulness, I have felt held down in place, and struggled to be released from the phantoms grip. This is not a unique experience: I know many that have endured far worse than this. Calling out to God chases the shadowed figures away, and when I have a visceral sense that the dark ones are lurking, I know what to do every time.
In recent days that have accumulated to years, demons have once again become brazen, displaying their murderous inclinations via willing humans, that blatantly and boldly share their death to the plebeians plans, without care or concern for repercussion. What used to be cloaked and only viscerally detectable, now smirks with chest proudly puffed, anticipating another kill, times thousands upon thousands, without any stoppage. The Gates of hell, are opened. We are in mortal combat. The army of God and the soldiers of Satan are squaring off ... but this, dear one, is not new. Each generation must face the demons of the day, and thankfully, God does the equipping for the faithful that seek Him, and the wisdom only He can provide.
Acquaint yourself with the Armour of God, for that fortified feeling that this fight, ain't over until the fat demons screech in death throes.
Our instructions are very clear, Ephesians 6:10-24
1 Our strength is in the Lord, His power and His might
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might
2 There is armour for us to put in place so that we can STAND against the wiles of the devil. Those phantom like traits that demons have, are detectable! They take on life like form, in those that clothe themselves in wicked endeavours. Knowing that they live and breath in humans, enlivening them to do the dirty work of the devil, helps us realize we are not fighting other humans, we are fighting the motivating forces within them ... this is not a passive wish-them-well fight, in which we simply pray for our enemies. We do pray for the humans willingly misused by the evil spirits, but we are in a battle, and this isn't a time for niceties. Remember, we are putting on the ARMOUR of GOD
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
3 Put on the whole armour of God. We are in the evil day now, dear one. God wants us to withstand. Recall again, we withstand wickedness with God's might and power, not our own. We are weak in our humanness, but made strong when God is the life force that surges through our being, our spirit. Stand ... there is a steadfastness in trusting in God's power
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
4 While we stand, we are to put on the belt of truth. Dear one, with truth in place, all the other clothing items, all of the other armour pieces, neatly fit in place! With truth girding us, WE can proudly display the righteousness of God. Our hearts will be inclined toward honesty, forthrightness, standing and staying power, to not only observe and label lies, but refuse to acquiesce to them on all fronts
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
5 Your walking shoes are the gospel of peace. Dear reader, God is love. This battle for the booty of souls, is about violence verses the peace of Christ. While the devil wants a piece of you, God wants your heart to incline toward Him, through His son. The wicked ones have no peace, no rest, no place to repose and relax, because the murderous are continually agitated, plotting, planning, and living in violence in their own heads. Their internal battle is a nightmare, and you and I can only imagine what it must be like, to be alone with demons constantly instructing and demanding and commanding ...
Evidence of internal disaster shows up every time they open their mouths to speak death to God's creation. We, on the other hand, can walk in peace, knowing the living and loving God
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
6 You have faith ... it may not be in God; it may be in the systems of man, it may be in yourself, or in those you share your life with, but you definitely have faith.
The faith that shields us from the fiery darts of the wicked, is faith in God as our provider and protector. Think on this a moment. Doesn't fear always initiate within our minds? Aren't our thoughts the things that cause us the most angst? Why, a person can look the wrong way at us from the side, and we can feel their ill intentions ... Imagine now, how many take aim and shoot arrows the devil and the fallen wicked ones, have shot at you over the years, to weaken your faith, and to kill your confidence, that God is your shield. Faith in God's providence, strength, might and power, quench these fiery darts, making the tiny errant missiles shot your way, ineffectual
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked
7 This next piece of equipment is a bit stupefying. Within your knowing, within your almost grasp, there is the mystery of faith, that salvation is yours. Your mind is to be kept safe, with a helmet that keeps out the worldliness that is want to pull you to itself. In your mind, there is the battle, and you are to be equipped, with the sword of the Spirit, otherwise known as the word of God. The Bible is your weapon of choice, dear one. The Bible will give you the wisdom to combat the wickedness. The Word of God, is Jesus Christ ... we see this is John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God
Therefore:
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
8 We are to pray and supplicate in the Spirit. It behooves us to ask earnestly, and at times beg humbly, for God's will in the lives of the saints. This is submission to His will, His way.
We do not dare to pretend that we know all the goings on in the spiritual realm. Knowing everything as finite humans would blow off all our armour, making us vulnerable to mental illness and physical weakness! Dear one, we need prayer to keep us trusting in God as the Sovereign! It is in the earnest asking, and humble pleading, that we acknowledge Him as being Sovereign in all things.
We must know there is a battle raging, and do our part as His saints. The information He gives us is what we use to equip ourselves for this invisible and very real, in the flesh too, battle.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
9 Paul demonstrates what it sounds like to ask for prayer. He instructed the saints to pray for one another, and for him too. Sharing the gospel is a daunting task, and we all know that the Truth is not always well received. The apostles experienced first hand, the persecution meted out by those that hate God.
Nothing has changed, dear one. It is risky business working as an ambassador for the Kingdom of God. This is why Paul prays for boldness to share the mystery of the gospel, that Jesus Christ died for your sins and mine. Knowing this and opening our mouths to speak it, should not be two separate things. Paul, in bonds, meaning chains, was fully dressed in the armour of God, doing battle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
10 Paul graciously reports what is happening with him. He has an affinity for the Ephesians, and they are united in their mission to share the gospel. When we consider that Paul is a prisoner, encouraging the physically free, we understand how powerful God's truth is in a fallen world. And isn't this exactly what we have seen world wide, dear one ... pastors imprisoned for preaching the Word of God to set the captives free?
But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
I will end here, with Paul's benediction and hope in my heart, that you clothe yourself today, with the armour of God ... starting with the belt of Truth.
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen
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