When we give our lives to Christ. We are a new creation, old things have passed away, and new things have come. But. it is a fight between our new self, and our old self. that is our flesh. our sinful nature. our old self. and the spirit, that is our new self. Every morning when you and i wake up ,we are at war. Sometimes we fail to take that seriously. spiritual warfare. we live in the midst of a real personal battle that we must fight. We must recognize our enemy. you can read, in Ephesians 6:10-18 it tells us, about putting on the full armor of God. we have to understand who we are fighting. When we give our lives to Christ. We are a new creation, old things have passed away, and new things have come. But. it is a fight between our new self, and our old self. that is our flesh. our sinful nature. our old self. and the spirit, that is our new self. Every morning when you and i wake up ,we are at war. sometimes we fail to take that seriously. spiritual warfare. we live in the midst of a real personal battle that we must fight. We must recognize our enemy. you can read, in Ephesians 6:10-18 it tells us, about putting on the full armor of God. we have to understand who we are fighting.
His objection is to get us to doubt scriptural truth. He wants us to be distracted by worldly pursuits rather than focus on the things of God. if we get to the point of spiritual disability,, we become useless ,defeated soldiers of the Kingdom
We must be properly dressed for the battle. Ephesians 6:11 put on the full armor of God. He means exactly what he says. We must put on every single of that gear. Intentionally meticulously, and consistently. If we step onto the battle field unprotected we make and easy target for Satan to attack us.
We must choose to put on the helmet of Salvation, in order to protect our mind. To only think thoughts of God’s. The battle begins in our minds. The conflict may slip into emotions, and actions later, but it always behinds with out thoughts. Therefore our mind must be protected.
We must choose to put on the breastplate of righteousness, to guard our emotions. to feel only what God feels. And to not let yourself react out of your emotions. But respond based on the truth we know in our mind. This is important because too many people are led through life by their fear, anxiety temptations or other negative influences. if you allow your feelings to carry you wherever they lead, you will be utterly defeated.
We need to strap on the belt of truth. we must choose to fasten on truth so that we can stay centered on His Word. We must live in the truth. walk in the truth, and testify in the truth.
We must then put on the sandals of peace. That wherever we go today, that we would be peacemakers. that our footprints would be evidence of the tranquility we carry in the Holy Sprit. Roman soldiers sandals had long spiked embedded in the soles to enable them to plant their feet firmly in the ground. with the sandals of peace we can boldly anchor our feet in the bedrock of Jesus Christ.
We must choose to take up the shield of faith. No matter what the enemy troughs at us. no matter the trials and temptations that may come we can stand safely behind the massive protection of faith. Faith is a mighty force that makes the difference between success and failure, between victory and bitter defeat.
We must, lift high the sword of the Spirit, His Holy Word. This cuts so deeply to bring about conviction and repentance. Scripture is our only weapon, it is both defensive and offensive. it enables us to defect the blows of the enemy and it pierces the hears of sinful men.
How do you put on the armor? by faith. Even though you cant see physically see the gear. you can trust that God will indeed wrap you completely in His power and His presence as you go you each day into a dark world.
If any piece is missing as we step onto our spiritual battlefield. Satan will surely attack that weak, un protected area. this is why it to put on thee FULL armor of God.
