We have got to be sober, and be vigilant; because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour {I Peter 5:8}. James tells us to submit ourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from us, draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to us {James 4:7-8}. But how do we do this? When the bills are stacking up, when the kids are whining, when your husband isn’t carrying his load, when it’s dinner time and you don’t have anything to cook, when you are being pulled in 12 different directions at once, in those moments, those moments that seem to rule our lives more than peace does, when things are spinning out of control, how on earth are we to submit to God and draw night to Him? Lord, can’t you see I need help???
Yes, He does see, and He has provided help in His Word.
Throughout His Word, God gives us instructions for living a life pleasing to Him. Like in Ephesians chapter 4, verses 23-27 tell us “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” Even on our best days though, we cannot do this on our own.
God knew this. And He gave us special protection and help in His Word; His armor. We are soldiers in God’s army, the battle front is our homes, for our kids, husbands and marriage. Every good soldier knows he cannot go into battle without protection, so why sister, do we step onto our battle fields without protection?
We are commanded to stand….not cower in the corner, stand, having our loins girt about with truth….God’s truth…..this is how Jesus defeated the devil in the wilderness, with God’s Word. Just like Jesus defeated the devil using God's Word, we can too.
We are to put on the breastplate of righteousness, to guard and protect our hearts, because we have been made righteous through the blood of Christ. We already have the victory through Jesus, we don't have to allow the devil to make our lives miserable. God wants us to be happy, and He wants us to have peace, He is our peace and happiness.
Our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, always ready to go where God sends us, bringing peace and not contention. Oh man, when all the grandkids are at our house it gets busy and crazy quick because the oldest one is 3. It would be so very easy to let their fussing and whining get under my skin; but what would that be teaching them? Sometimes I have to tell our daughters, I'll be right back, and I go and talk with the Lord for a few minutes, and He calms my spirit, and usually gives me an idea to do with the children to advert their moood.
We are commanded to take the shield of faith so that we are able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world {I John 5:4}, it was by our faith through Jesus’ grace that we were saved; that same faith will help us not believe the horrible lies the enemy tells us. I don't know about you, but one of the lies the enemy loves to whisper in my ear is that no one likes me or wants me around; if not for my faith, I would believe him in a heart beat; but I know my heavenly Father loves me, and has a purpose for me right where I am at; my opinion or what I say may not always be popular, but if being popular means changing the truth, I don't want it.
We are to take the helmet of salvation, knowing that you have already gotten the victory through Christ, and that you are a daughter of The King. It is very comforting to me to know I have a heavenly Father who loves and cares about me and my life, and who doesn't hide Himself from me; His fullness is available to me 24/7, all I have to do is ask.
We are also to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. {Hebrews 4:12}. If we don’t read and study God’s Word we can’t effectively use it; we need to hide it in our hearts, like David did. So that when we are facing a situation we will know if the words we hear are from the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, “take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”
And finally we are to be praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; praying always for our husbands and children, making and keeping prayer as one of our top priorities will draw us closer to God. God loves hearting from His daughters.
It is not suggested, but commanded, that we be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. That we put on the whole armor of God so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. If I allow life to get in the way of my Bible study time I feel it, quickly, I feel seporated from the Lord, and I know it's not Him who moves. I have to pray and study every day so that I can stay strong in the Lord and so that I don't stray.
Ladies, we aren’t wrestling against flesh and blood, this one is hard for me to remember at times, but we are wrestling against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. We cannot battle these things ourselves; the battle isn't even ours, it's the Lords {II Chronicles 20:15}; why would we even think of stepping onto our battle field, or starting our day, without putting on the armor God has so graciously given us?
Prayer
Father God, I thank You for Your Words and for You Lord, for everything that You are Father. I thank You for all that Your provisions You supply for Your daughters. Father, I lift up Your daughter who is reading this now, I ask Lord that You comfort her heart, and strengthen it; help her Lord to use what You have given us in Your Word to stand strong in you and face the enemy. Please Lord bless her, her home, husband and children; help her to see Lord that she is not alone, You are with her; help her see Lord that whatever she's going through is temporary; thank You Father, in Jesus name. Amen.
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Jenn
What a beautiful explanation of the armor God has provided and wants us to take up. It is a spiritual battle, but as you have beautifully reminded us, the battle is His!
ReplyDeleteAmen Donna! Praise God for all His gifts! Thanks so much for visiting! God bless you!
DeleteHi, Jenn! I love reading about the armor of God! It is one of my favorite topics. So, I really appreciated your post. We do need to be in the Word regularly, studying it, meditating on it, letting it take root in our hearts in order for us to wear our armor well. Thanks for sharing on Grace and Truth.
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