40 Days of Prayer: Day 38
Spiritual warfare part 2
Gods word added to our prayer brings great power!
As we were reminded yesterday, we are in a spiritual battle. But we fight from victory because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We cannot allow ourselves to get complacent in our daily walk with the Lord. Thinking that we just successfully battled through a spiritual attack and now we have it easy. The attacks are on going and at times we become weary. Its in these weary times we must first remember what Paul said in Galatians:
Galatians 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
The NKJV says; “don't become weary”… thats hard! If we really think about warfare, its unrelenting. No matter what war you look at, people lost their lives battling what they perceived as evil, to bring justice and peace to people or situations. In earlier wars there was more hand to hand combat, being in the trenches, going nose to nose or toes to toes with another human being. As the Apostle Paul wrote this, he used the imagery of a soldier of his time, a Roman soldier. But then he makes the spiritual connection, how the battles we face as believers really are spiritual, not physical. We really should memorize this passage and get up everyday with this passage in mind, getting ourselves ready for war. The armor of God really is about us understanding who we are in Christ.
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
So, powerful! First, be strong in the Lord! Not your power or strength. Look to God and His promises for your strength, again battling knowing that God is ALL powerful and has your back. Putting on the armor allows us to stand firm even in the battle.
The Belt of Truth-Satan is the father of lies. Here is exhortation to put on truth, sanctifying us and delivering us from falsehoods, by living a life of truth we are a witness to all who would watch us.
The Breastplate of Righteousness- this protects the vital organs of the warrior. This is not righteousness accomplished by men, rather the righteousness of Jesus Christ, given to us by God and received by us through faith, this actually is a guard to our heart against the accuser, satan. The Breastplate of righteousness is applied when we are in right standing with the Lord and protects our innermost being.
Proper foot wear- you cannot go into battle barefoot. The Devil puts dangerous obstacles in our path. This insinuates that we are walking into the devils territory, understanding that there will indeed be traps, but we have the message of hope, Gods grace extended, we walk forward with the intent of winning souls.
The Shield of Faith- this makes the doubt of the devil ineffective. It helps us stand boldly with our eyes on God and looking forward. The shield catches the darts and arrows of the devil, the shield can be used aggressively as a weapon as well.
The Helmet of Salvation- this protects a very critical part of the body, if our brain is damaged… we cannot fight. We must keep clear minded, it is in our thought life that battles are won or lost. Protecting our mind pushes away false doctrine and holds temptation in check. Without the covering, the helmet of salvation, we would not be able to discern between the Spirit of truth or deception.
The Sword of the Spirit- the word of God! I believe that every part of the armor can be used defensively, but the sword is the only true defensive weapon listed. This truly speaks to the power of Gods word. Remember as we have already addressed, Jesus was tempted in the desert by the devil and He refuted the temptation with Gods word. Gods words are always our best answer and defense in times of temptation and trial. The cool thing is that Gods word and that same authority ascribed to it is available to us, it is at our finger tips.
Vs 18 ties it ALL together, prayer. The armor is put on and solidified by prayer. You must not and cannot neglect your prayer time. In must be a priority. Without it, our fights and battles against evil, will be futile. We have access to the Full Armor of God, truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer, these are tools that God has given us to win spiritual battles, to live in victory, overcoming all the attacks that Satan throws at us as well as the temptations.
Romans 8:37; "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us".
1 Corinthians 15:57; "but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Zechariah 4:6b; ...‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
Gods word added to our prayer brings great power!
Prayed for you all this morning!
Much love and blessings,
Pastor Scott