THE BIBLICAL SECRET OF THE ARMOR OF GOD THAT EVERY CHRISTIAN NEEDS TO KNOW
THE BIBLICAL SECRET OF THE ARMOR OF GOD THAT EVERY CHRISTIAN NEEDS TO KNOW
At this very moment while you breathe an invisible war is being waged for your soul the enemy knows your name studies your weaknesses and waits for the exact moment to attack but there exists an ancient secret an armor forged in the heavens that can transform you from victim to victor most Christians know about it but very few know how to activate it what you will discover today will forever change how you face every battle are you ready to know the secret that hell doesn’t want you to know there is a war happening right now that your natural eyes cannot see it is not fought with steel swords or fire cannons it is waged in the invisible dimensions of the spirit where principalities and powers battle for control of your destiny the Apostle Paul chained in a Roman cell wrote words that pierce through the centuries like lightning for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age ephesians 6:12 imagine the scene a Roman soldier passes in front of his cell the armor gleams under the torch light each piece has purpose each element fulfills a vital function and Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit sees beyond the metal he sees an eternal revelation that would change the way millions of believers would face their battles many Christians wake up every morning without realizing they are entering a battlefield they get dressed drink coffee check messages completely unaware they don’t see the invisible arrows flying toward them thoughts of hopelessness upon waking whispers of doubt during the day temptations disguised as legitimate opportunities the enemy is strategic and patient he doesn’t attack head-on with his entire arsenal that would be too obvious and you would defend yourself instead he works in the shadows of your mind planting microscopic seeds of distrust slowly eroding your faith with each small disappointment he makes you believe you are alone that God forgot you that the battle is too big but here shines
the secret that transforms everything god never sent you unarmed into this war before your first breath before the stars were hung in space he had already prepared your complete protection not human armor that rusts with the years but spiritual pieces forged in eternity each with supernatural power to resist the fiercest attacks of hell itself the true tragedy is not that the enemy attacks the devastating tragedy is that so many soldiers of Christ walk through the battlefield completely naked without having put on the armor that already belongs to them by bloodright it’s like possessing the most powerful sword in the universe but leaving it hanging on the wall while you go out to face giants with empty hands and trembling heart have you felt that inexplicable sensation of being attacked without knowing where the blow is coming from that anxiety that oppresses your chest for no apparent reason those dark thoughts that assault you at dawn those paralyzing doubts that arise just when you’re about to take a step of faith they are not coincidences of fate they are fiery darts launched with millimetric precision by an enemy who has studied your patterns for years the enemy knows your deepest wounds knows exactly where you are vulnerable but the God who sees in secret who knows every battle you face in silence that same God who armed young David against the giant Goliath who strengthened Joshua before the impossible walls of Jericho who gave power to Gideon with only 300 men against thousands that same almighty God has given you unlimited access to an invincible armor this armor is so powerful that no demon from hell can penetrate it that no enemy arrow can pierce it that no satanic lie can undo or weaken it the secret does not only lie in knowing that the armor exists millions of sincere Christians have read Ephesians 6 multiple times they have heard passionate sermons on the subject in their churches they have sung songs of spiritual warfare but knowing about the armor and wearing it daily are two completely different realities it’s the abysmal difference between knowing that a cure for your disease exists and actually taking it between having a detailed map of the treasure and walking the distance to find it between possessing a reinforced shield and lifting it when the enemy’s flaming arrows come tonight while the shadows lengthen over the earth and silence deepens in your heart the enemy is meticulously planning his next attack against you but you will never be unprepared again because what you are about to discover in the following chapters is not simple theological knowledge that inflates the mind it is practical and powerful revelation that transforms lives it is the ancient secret of how to activate day after day piece by piece the complete power of the armor that God has already permanently placed at your disposal the belt of truth in the seul silence of a lonely night when all lights go out and you are alone with the echo of your darkest thoughts the
enemy whispers his most lethal and effective poison elaborate lies they don’t always arrive as obvious temptations with horns and a trident sometimes they disguise themselves perfectly as impeccable logic as undeniable reality as apparently harmless common sense they tell you with a convincing voice that you are not enough that your past mistakes define you forever that God is deeply disappointed in you that you will never truly change that your dreams are absolutely impossible to achieve the first piece of armor that Paul mentions under divine inspiration is not accidental or arbitrary it is the belt of absolute truth in the times of the Roman Empire the belt was not a simple decorative fashion accessory it was the fundamental structural piece that held all the armor in its correct place from it hung the deadly sword to it was fastened the long tunic to allow quick and agile movement in pitched battle without the belt firmly fastened everything else came undone and fell jesus declared with an authoritative voice that made the very gates of hell tremble “I am the way the truth and the life.” John 14:6 he didn’t simply say he knew the truth or taught truths he said that he is the incarnate truth this theological distinction changes absolutely everything in your spiritual warfare because when you deliberately gird yourself with the belt of truth every morning you are not simply accepting a cold set of correct doctrines or memorizing Bible verses you are anchoring yourself deeply to the living person of Christ himself to his immutable character to his eternal nature the enemy is explicitly called the father of lies in John 8:44 his very nature his fundamental essence is systematic deception and calculated distortion he cannot create anything original because he is not a creator he can only maliciously twist and distort what God already created with perfection he takes a beautiful truth of God and adds a subtle but poisonous twist he takes your real failures from the past and convinces you with logical sounding arguments that they are your final and immutable identity he takes your shameful sins already confessed and makes you believe the lie that your dark future is irrevocably determined by them but the powerful truth of God is like a sharp double-edged sword it cuts the most deeply rooted lies at the deep root when the enemy tells you with an accusing voice “You failed too many times and God got tired of you,” the immutable truth responds with heavenly authority the mercies of the Lord never cease they are new every morning lamentations 3:22-23 when the devil persistently whispers
“You are not worthy of God’s love,” the eternal truth proclaims without hesitation “but you are a chosen generation a royal priesthood a holy nation.” 1 Peter 2:9 girding yourself with the belt of truth every morning is a deliberate act almost ceremonial and sacred it doesn’t happen by accident or religious inertia it requires that you stop before frantically launching into the chaotic day that you breathe deeply several times that you intentionally declare over your life who you really are according to God’s immutable word not according to your changing feelings or adverse temporary circumstances think carefully about David hiding in the dark cave of Adullum completely surrounded by desperate and hopeless men fleeing terrified from King Saul who obsessively wanted to murder him with all the external appearances of a total and miserable failure the visible circumstances screamed a story of defeat but David consciously girded himself with the belt of truth and wrote with unshakable faith “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27:1 he deliberately chose God’s eternal truth over visible temporal reality this belt specifically prepares you for rapid movement in intense battle veteran Roman soldiers would tuck their long tunics into their belts to be able to run swiftly and maneuver agilely spiritually speaking when you are firmly anchored in the unshakable truth of who God is and who you are in him you can move with supernatural agility you don’t get emotionally paralyzed by every new doubt that arises you don’t stop to question your identity every time something goes wrong the belt is also the crucial point from which hangs your deadly sword the word of God without the belt firmly fastened in place your sword is completely inaccessible in the critical moment of urgent need but when the truth is solidly in place when you know in the depths of your being that God’s word is absolutely reliable you can quickly unshathe a precise and specific verse for each particular attack of the enemy the truth also frees you from devastating internal lies those you tell yourself that you are not enough that you cannot be used by God that your mistakes permanently disqualify you the breastplate of righteousness the human heart is the most coveted and valuable target of the cunning enemy not your physical heart that pumps blood but that deep and invisible center where your most intense emotions reside your most hidden motivations your fundamental sense of value and eternal purpose it is from there from that inner core that the issues of life flow as Proverbs 4:23 declares with ancient wisdom if the enemy manages to seriously wound your spiritual heart he can systematically contaminate everything that comes out of you into the world the Roman military breastplate meticulously covered from the neck to the thighs protecting all the warriors vital organs a single accurate blow to the heart or stomach could instantly finish off the bravest and most experienced soldier of the empire that’s why Paul under direct divine inspiration urgently instructs us that we must dress daily with the breastplate of righteousness powerful but here shines the profound mystery that confuses many sincere believers what righteousness exactly where does this protection come from if it depended on our own imperfect human righteousness we would be lost from the beginning without hope isaiah 64:6 confronts us with brutal honesty that all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags before
God’s perfect holiness our best human efforts our noblest good works our most sincere acts of kindness when compared to God’s standard of perfect holiness are completely insufficient it’s like desperately trying to stop a steel sword with thin paper but here shines the transforming glory of the true gospel the breastplate we wear is not our defective righteousness but Christ’s perfect and immaculate righteousness supernaturally imputed to us as an undeserved gift 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares a truth that makes all the heavens tremble for he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him read that again slowly this means that when God the Father looks at you from his heavenly throne he doesn’t see your shameful failures your dark sins your moments of humiliating weakness he sees Jesus’ perfect and immaculate righteousness completely covering your entire life it’s as if Christ himself had given you his own personal armor his own impeccable reputation his own perfect record before the eternal father the enemy knows this transforming secret perfectly well and that’s why he relentlessly attacks your sense of personal righteousness he obsessively reminds you of every mistake made every shameful fall every moment of weakness every broken promise he brings detailed testimonies from the past as legal evidence that you don’t deserve to be called a child of God he meticulously accumulates an endless list of valid accusations and presents it to you day after day relentlessly patiently waiting for you to finally give up exhausted and accept his false verdict you are not enough and you never will be but when you deeply understand that you are wearing the breastplate of Christ’s perfect righteousness itself those accusations of the enemy completely lose their destructive power you don’t deny your real mistakes you don’t pretend to be perfect or flawless you simply declare with confidence a truth infinitely higher and more powerful there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus romans 8:1 no condemnation not little condemnation or partial condemnation absolutely none this breastplate strategically protects your vulnerable heart from three specific devastating attacks the paralyzing guilt that keeps you trapped in the past the toxic shame that makes you cowardly hide from God and the persistent sense of unworthiness that prevents you from confidently approaching the throne of grace each of these poisoned darts is specifically designed to pierce your emotional center and make you retreat defeated in your victorious walk with God there is a powerfully revealing scene in Zechariah 3 the high priest Joshua is standing before the angel of the Lord dressed in filthy and dirty robes that represent sin satan is at his right hand to accuse him relentlessly but listen carefully to what happens the Lord severely rebukes Satan and orders with authority
“Take away the filthy garments from him see I have removed your iniquity from you and I will clothe you with rich robes.” That is exactly what happened at the bloody cross of Calvary jesus voluntarily took your filthy garments your repugnant sin your crushing shame and gave you his robes of honor his perfect and immaculate righteousness when you wear this breastplate daily you are not pretending to be righteous you are acknowledging and appropriating the righteousness that was already given to you as an undeserved gift of grace this radically transforms how you face the enemy’s attacks on your heart when you feel unworthy to pray the breastplate powerfully reminds you “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace.” Hebrews 4:16 when sin from the past tries to torment you without mercy the breastplate proclaims with authority “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 the breastplate not only protects you defensively it empowers you to live in daily practical holiness because when you truly understand that you have been made the righteousness of God in Christ you don’t want to sin out of fear of divine punishment you simply lose the desire to do what contradicts your new nature the footwear of the gospel of peace in the agonizing silence of the garden of Gethsemane Jesus faced the darkest and most devastating storm that has ever struck a human soul in all of history the crushing weight of the sins of all humanity began to descend relentlessly upon his shoulders his closest disciples slept deeply completely unaware of the cosmic battle being waged and there in the midst of an agony so intense that his sweat literally became drops of blood falling to the ground Jesus did not run away terrified he did not cowardly flee from the pain his feet remained firmly planted in obedience to the father the footwear of the gospel of peace is not about escaping from inevitable battles it’s about standing firm and unshakable in the midst of them experienced Roman soldiers wore special military sandals called Caligi with reinforced thick soles and nails strategically placed on the bottom these nails dug deep into the ground giving them supernatural stability even on the most slippery and chaotic battlefields imaginable paul writes under inspiration that we should have our feet shaw with the preparation of the gospel of peace ephesians 6:15 it seems paradoxical and contradictory doesn’t it we’re talking about intense spiritual warfare fierce battles brutal attacks from the enemy and Paul instructs us to be shaw with peace but here shines the profound revelation true supernatural peace is not the temporary absence of external conflict but the constant presence of God in the midst of the most devastating conflict jesus explained it clearly peace I leave with you my peace I give to you not as the world gives do I give to you john 14:27
the world’s superficial peace depends completely on favorable circumstances when everything is going well there is temporary peace when storms come peace instantly vanishes but Christ’s peace is radically different it is a peace that surpasses all understanding philippians 4:7 a supernatural peace that makes no logical sense when everything around you is in absolute chaos think carefully about Peter walking supernaturally on the turbulent waters as long as he kept his eyes firmly fixed and his spiritual feet planted in the peace that comes from looking at Jesus he defied the physical laws of nature but in the critical moment when he took his eyes off Christ and looked at the tumultuous circumstances surrounding him his feet lost their supernatural foundation and he began to sink rapidly the footwear of the gospel of peace gives you unshakable stability on terrains that would violently make anyone else stumble it allows you to stand firm and immovable in the midst of crushing financial uncertainty and declare with confidence “My God shall supply all your needs need according to his riches in glory.” Philippians 4:19 it supernaturally enables you to be in the cold hospital room and whisper with faith “The Lord is my shepherd i shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 but there is another crucial dimension of this footwear that is often completely overlooked not only does it give you stability where you are currently standing but it also strategically prepares you to carry the transforming gospel to others isaiah 52:7 prophetically proclaims “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news who proclaims peace who brings glad tidings of good things your shodd feet become powerful instruments of grace carrying genuine hope to places of dark desperation vividly imagine a messenger in ancient times his job was to run long exhausting distances crossing dangerous and hostile terrains to carry important news that could change the destiny of entire nations if his feet were not adequately shaw he wouldn’t get very far sharp rocky terrains and rough roads would quickly stop him in exactly the same way without the footwear of the gospel of peace firmly on you cannot advance effectively into enemy territory the enemy will constantly try to destabilize you with elaborate strategies he will put slippery and treacherous terrains under your feet situations that change suddenly and unpredictably relationships that become turbulent without warning trials that seem endless and purposeless his calculated objective is to make you fall spectacularly make you lose your spiritual balance make you retreat in paralyzing fear but when your feet are firmly shaw with the unshakable peace of the gospel those treacherous terrains completely lose their power to bring you down the peace that shoes you is not religious pacivity it is not sitting comfortably and passively accepting whatever comes it is an active peace even militant it is the deep peace of knowing that if God is for us who can be against us romans 8:31 it is the peace that allows you to advance courageously toward giants because you know with certainty that the battle is the Lord’s 1 Samuel 17:47 there is a transforming practice that changes how you experience this peace before your feet touch the ground every morning before you get out of bed declare over your day
“This day may bring unexpected surprises but none will surprise my omnisient God it may bring monumental challenges but none is greater than he who lives in me you are literally shoeing your feet with peace before taking the first step of the day the shield of faith there are spiritual attacks that you cannot see coming in advance they arrive like barely audible whispers in the deepest darkness like doubts that silently infiltrate your mind while you sleep like temptations cunningly disguised as legitimate solutions to real problems they are the fiery darts of the enemy and they fly constantly toward your life like incessant rain invisible but absolutely lethal to your faith paul urgently instructs us that we must take the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one ephesians 6:16 note carefully that he doesn’t say some specific darts he categorically says all the darts the shield is not optional or a decorative accessory it is absolutely essential because the enemy’s attacks are not optional they come relentlessly whether you want them to or not the Roman shield Paul was referring to was the scutum a large rectangular shield that covered almost the entire body of the soldier completely in pitched battle Roman soldiers often strategically united placing their shields side by side creating an impenetrable wall known as Tuddo or tortoise formation under this unified formation they could advance victoriously even under a deadly reign of arrows but there is something fascinating about these shields that reveals spiritual truth they were made of wood covered with leather and before each battle soldiers would completely immerse them in water why because the enemy shot arrows wrapped in flames designed not only to wound but to set the shields on fire a shield soaked in water would instantly extinguish those flaming arrows spiritually this is profoundly revealing your faith must be constantly immersed in God’s word saturated in deep prayer soaked in the presence of the Holy Spirit a dry faith a faith that only activates on Sundays at church cannot extinguish the fiery darts that the enemy launches throughout the entire week the fiery darts come in multiple subtle forms sometimes it’s a sudden thought “What if God doesn’t really love you?” Other times it’s a circumstance that seems to directly contradict God’s promises it can be a temptation that hits your weakest point just when you are physically and emotionally exhausted it can be a paralyzing fear that grips you without warning hebrews 11 one defines faith in a way that changes the entire game now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen genuine faith is not a warm and pleasant feeling it is not blind optimism or positive thinking it is a deep certainty an unshakable conviction that remains firm even when absolutely everything visible says otherwise abraham is called the father of faith but do you know why not because he never doubted not because everything was always easy for him but because he believed in hope against hope romans 4:18 when all natural circumstances screamed that it was impossible to have a child at his advanced age when his body was already dead according to human logic Abraham lifted his shield of faith and declared “What God promised he will fulfill.”
The enemy trembles before genuine faith because faith has direct access to resources is he cannot touch when you lift your shield of faith you are connecting with the unlimited power of almighty God you are not depending on your own strength your own intelligence your own resources you are declaring “My God can do this because he is God.” But here’s the part many don’t understand lifting the shield is a deliberate act it doesn’t lift automatically by itself in the moment of attack when the dart comes flying you have to make the conscious decision to lift it it is in that precise moment when fear screams loudest when doubts seem most reasonable when temptation seems most attractive that you must make the move i choose to believe God think about the account of the spies sent to Canaan 12 men saw the same land the same giants the same fortified cities 10 returned with a report of fear we cannot two returned with a shield of faith let us go up at once and take possession for we are well able to overcome it numbers 13:30 same situation different shields the shield of faith also protects you from attacks on your identity the enemy will shoot darts that say “You are a failure you are unworthy god has tired of you you have failed too many times but when you lift the shield of faith you declare the higher truth i am a child of God bought by the blood of Christ sealed with the Holy Spirit destined for eternity with him there is a powerful principle in spiritual physics faith not only blocks attacks it also transforms them supernaturally the darts that came to destroy you become testimonies of God’s faithfulness every attack repelled by the shield of faith becomes another victory story that strengthens your faith for the next battle the shield must also be lifted in unity with other believers when a brother is under fierce attack and his shield is wavering you can stand by his side and unite your shield with his this is intercession this is community this is the body of Christ functioning as God designed your faith is strengthened with each battle every time you lift the shield and see a dart extinguished your confidence in God grows exponentially the helmet of salvation the fiercest and most determining battle is waged on the battlefield of your mind 3 cm behind your forehead in that invisible space where your thoughts are born a war is unfolding that will determine the course of your entire life the enemy knows this perfectly that’s why he attacks your mind more frequently and more ferociously than any other part of your being paul instructs
“Take the helmet of salvation.” Ephesians 6:17 the Roman helmet protected the head the warrior’s most vulnerable part a blow to the head could end the battle instantly spiritually if the enemy can conquer your mind he can control you completely without you even realizing it the helmet of salvation is not just remembering that you were saved one day in the past it is maintaining a living and constant awareness of your redeemed identity it is waking up every morning and before any negative thought has opportunity to establish itself declaring “I am saved i am free i am new in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 gives us the strategy of mental warfare for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ that last phrase is revolutionary bringing every thought captive not some thoughts not just the bad thoughts every thought must be examined captured and submitted to obedience to Christ it’s like having a guard at the door of your mind who examines everything trying to enter and asks “Does this align with Christ’s truth?” The enemy is an expert at planting thoughts that seem like yours they don’t arrive with a label saying “From Satan.” They arrive in first person with your own internal voice i’m worthless i’ll never change god is disappointed in me this situation has no solution i’m alone in this and because they sound like your own thoughts you assume they are truth but here is the liberating revelation not every thought that passes through your mind is yours you don’t have to claim ownership of every thought that appears some are planted by the enemy some are products of negative thought patterns from the past some are simply mental noise your job is not to believe everything you think your job is to evaluate every thought under the light of God’s truth jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert with thoughts if you are the son of God command that these stones become bread it was a direct attack on his identity disguised as a reasonable suggestion but Jesus used his helmet of salvation and responded with the word he didn’t enter into debate he didn’t consider the proposal he simply cut off the thought with truth the helmet of salvation constantly reminds you who you are romans 8 one becomes your mantra there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus when thoughts of guilt come the helmet blocks them when whispers of shame arrive the helmet deflects them when accusations try to establish themselves in your mind the helmet repels them there is a transforming practice that strengthens this helmet the renewal of the mind romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” To renew means to replace the old with the new every toxic thought you have harbored for years can be replaced with biblical truth if you have lived thinking I am a failure that thought has created deep grooves in your mind like a river that erodess the earth but when you begin to declare daily I am more than a conqueror in Christ you are digging new grooves creating new thought patterns over time the old grooves become shallow and the new ones become dominant king Nebuchadnezzar lost his mind and lived like an animal for 7 years what was the key to his restoration daniel 4:34 records and at the end of the time
I Nebuchadnezzar lifted my eyes to heaven and my understanding returned to me when he directed his thoughts toward God his mind was restored depression anxiety chronic fear are often the result of unrenewed thought patterns philippians 4:8 gives us the antidote finally brethren whatever things are true whatever things are noble whatever things are just whatever things are pure whatever things are lovely whatever things are of good report if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things meditate on these things it is a command not a suggestion you have authority over your mind you can choose what to think about the enemy will try to convince you that you are a victim of your thoughts that you cannot control them that is a lie with the helmet of salvation and the discipline of the Holy Spirit you can direct your thoughts the prophet Isaiah captured this you will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you isaiah 26:3 perfect peace not partial peace not temporary peace perfect peace comes to those whose mind is focused on God the helmet also protects you from discouragement your mind is too valuable to allow the enemy to establish camps there every mental stronghold every toxic thought pattern can be torn down the sword of the spirit until now we have talked mainly about strategic defense but there comes a crucial moment in battle when simply defending yourself is not enough you need to advance you need to take territory you need to attack the enemy’s strongholds and for that you need a weapon not just any weapon you need the sword of the spirit which is the word of God ephesians 6:17 this is the only offensive piece in the entire armor everything else protects you this gives you power to counterattack and notice something critical it doesn’t say a sword or your sword it says “The sword of the spirit.” This sword does not belong to you it belongs to the Holy Spirit you simply wield it under his direction hebrews 4:12 describes this weapon in a way that should make you shudder for the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart no other weapon has that power when Jesus faced the devil in the desert after 40 days of fasting physically weakened but spiritually strong the enemy came with his best attacks and Jesus responded to each one exactly the same way it is written three words three sword strikes three resounding victories he didn’t use human philosophy he didn’t enter into theological debate he simply unshathed the word but here’s the part many Christians don’t understand you cannot unshatha a weapon you don’t carry with you you cannot quote scriptures you don’t know you cannot declare promises you have never read psalm 119:11 declares “Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Storing the word in your heart is like a soldier who keeps his sword sharp and ready the sword of the spirit has a unique characteristic it is the only weapon that becomes more powerful the more you use it a physical sword dulls with use this spiritual sword sharpens every time you declare the word your familiarity with it grows every time you use it in battle your confidence in its power increases there is a massive difference between knowing the word and using the word satan knows the Bible he quoted it when he tempted Jesus but quoting it with manipulative intentions does not have the same power as declaring it in faith and obedience the sword doesn’t work by intellectual knowledge it works by the anointing of the spirit james 2:19 reminds us
“You believe that there is one God you do well even the demons believe and tremble the demons know that God’s word is truth but when a child of God filled with the Holy Spirit wields that same word in faith something different happens god’s creative power is activated christ’s authority is manifested think about how God created the universe he didn’t use physical tools he used words then God said “Let there be light.” And there was light genesis 1:3 god’s word has inherent creative power when you declare the word over your situation you are not simply expressing hopes you are releasing God’s creative power into your circumstance isaiah 55:11 captures this perfectly so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth it shall not return to me void but it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it the word cannot return empty it is impossible it has to fulfill its purpose but the sword must be used with precision you cannot simply quote any verse for any situation second Timothy 2:15 exhorts us to be rightly dividing the word of truth a surgeon doesn’t cut randomly he cuts with exact precision in the exact place likewise you need discernment from the Holy Spirit to know which part of the word to apply to which situation when you are struggling with fear you don’t need a verse about finances you need for God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7 when you face sexual temptation you need “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God genesis 39:9 Joseph’s words “The sword of the spirit also cuts in two directions it not only attacks the enemy but it also cuts away in your own life the things that need to be removed.” Hebrews 4:12 says “It discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Sometimes the word convicts you of sin that is not the enemy attacking you it is the Holy Spirit using the sword to do spiritual surgery when you read the word and feel conviction that is the sword working in your favor it is cutting out the cancer of sin before it spreads memorizing scripture is like a soldier who practices with his sword until the movements become instinctive in the heat of battle you don’t have time to search in your Bible you need the word to spring from your spirit instantly the sword of the spirit is also your weapon to minister to others when someone is discouraged you can speak a word from God over their life don’t underestimate this weapon it is the same word that formed galaxies it is the same word that raised
Lazarus and that word is available to you now praying in the spirit there is a final element in the Ephesians 6 passage that is often overlooked but which is absolutely critical after enumerating all the pieces of armor powder doesn’t end there he adds in verse 18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Without prayer the armor is just structure without power it’s like having a loaded weapon but never pulling the trigger it’s like having electricity in the walls but never turning on the switch prayer is what activates each piece of the armor it is the fuel that makes everything work praying always doesn’t mean being on your knees 24 hours a day it means living in a constant state of communication with God it’s like having an open telephone line with heaven even when you are doing other things there is a continuous conversation happening in your spirit first Thessalonians 5:17 commands us pray without ceasing paul himself lived this principle in the midst of storms shipwrecks prisons and constant dangers his spirit was always connected with the father he didn’t need to enter into a special state of prayer he was already there but there are specific moments that require what we might call focused prayer when the attack is intense when the battle is fierce you need to stop and enter into deep intercession jesus modeled it before every important decision he would withdraw to pray before facing the cross he spent hours in Gethsemane praying in the spirit has a particular dimension romans 8:26 says “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered often we don’t know how to pray specifically we don’t completely understand the spiritual situation but the Holy Spirit does when you pray in the spirit you are submitting to his direction he knows the thoughts of God he sees the battle from heaven’s perspective he knows exactly what to pray how to pray when to pray and when you allow him to pray through you your prayers become precise and powerful jude 20 tells us
“But you beloved building yourselves up on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit.” There is something about praying in the spirit that edifies that builds that strengthens your faith it’s like a building receiving internal reinforcements that make it more resistant to earthquakes daniel is an extraordinary example of a man who activated his armor through prayer daniel 6:10 tells us that three times that day he knelt down and prayed and gave thanks before his God he didn’t do it in secret to protect himself he did it openly because prayer was his priority more important than his personal safety and when the decree was issued prohibiting prayer what did Daniel do he didn’t change his routine he didn’t hide he didn’t negotiate he continued praying exactly as he had always done the result he was thrown into the lion’s den but God sent his angel to shut the mouths of the lions prayer didn’t avoid the problem for him but it protected him in the midst of the problem there is tremendous power in corporate prayer when two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name he promised to be there matthew 18:20 when believers unite their voices in prayer something happens in the spiritual realm that doesn’t happen with individual prayer it’s like the difference between a drop of water and a tsunami in Acts 4 when Peter and John were threatened and released they returned to the church and prayed together the Bible records that when they had prayed the place where they were assembled together was shaken it wasn’t a natural earthquake it was a physical manifestation of God’s power responding to the united prayer of his people to watch in prayer means to be alert to be attentive it is not sleepy or routine prayer it is vigilant prayer first Peter 5:8 warns us “Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” Vigilant prayer is part of our early warning system there are times when you need to fast and pray jesus said about a certain kind of demon this kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting mark 9:29 fasting intensifies your prayer when you deny your flesh your spirit becomes more sensitive to God it’s like removing background noise so you can hear God’s voice more clearly prayer should also include intercession for others the verse says “With all perseverance and supplication for all the saints you are not alone in this battle your brothers and sisters are also fighting when you intercede for them you are lifting their shield when theirs is weakening you are standing in the gap.” Job is a fascinating example after all his suffering after his friends falsely accused him God told him to pray for those same friends job 42 10 records something amazing and the
Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends his deliverance came when he prayed for others the prayer of a righteous person can do much james 5:16 says “It is effective it is not a weak plea it is effective it accomplishes things it moves mountains it opens doors it shuts the mouths of lions it tears down walls it frees captives it heals the sick daily battles spiritual warfare is not something that happens only in dramatic moments it is not only when you face a major crisis or an obvious attack from the enemy the most practical and often ignored truth is this the most determining battles of your life happen in the ordinary moments of a common day it’s 5:30 in the morning the alarm sounds your first thought is to stay in bed just 10 more minutes it seems innocent but here is the battle will you take dominion over your flesh or will your flesh dominate you those additional 10 minutes could mean sacrificing your time with God the enemy doesn’t need big attacks when he can win you over in the small decisions you’re at work a co-orker makes a comment that irritates you you feel anger rising in your chest in that exact moment a battle is waged will you respond from your flesh or from the spirit the breastplate of righteousness and the belt of truth are being tested not on an epic battlefield but in an ordinary office conversation your teenage child responds to you with insolence every fiber of your being wants to react with the same tone but then you remember the shoes of the gospel of peace are you going to keep your feet firm in peace or are you going to return the verbal blow this is real spiritual warfare happening in your living room not in some mystical place jesus said in Luke 16:10 “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.” The reason many Christians feel defeated in the big battles is because they lost a hundred small battles they didn’t even recognize as battles the enemy doesn’t need to destroy you in one blow he can wear you down with a thousand small cuts think about the typical day you wake up and the first thing you do is check your phone the news is depressing social media makes you feel that your life is insufficient compared to others you already lost the first battle of the day because you allowed the world to define your emotional state before God had a chance to speak here is the difference when you intentionally dress with the armor every morning you wake up and before touching your phone before thinking about your problems you declare “This is the day the Lord has made.”
You gird yourself with the belt of truth remembering who you are in Christ you dress with the breastplate of righteousness declaring that you are covered by his blood you shoe your feet with peace deciding that no circumstance will steal your stability today the morning routine of dressing with the armor doesn’t have to take hours it can be 10 intentional minutes but those 10 minutes determine the next 16 hours it’s like a soldier checking his equipment before entering enemy territory it’s not religiosity it’s practical wisdom during the day temptations come in subtle forms a thought of lust when you see an image an impulse to lie to avoid consequences an opportunity to gossip about someone you don’t like each one is a fiery dart if your shield of faith is not lifted these darts penetrate and begin to burn but when you live conscious that you are in constant battle you develop spiritual reflexes the thought of lust arrives and you automatically lift the shield i take this thought captive the opportunity to lie presents itself and your belt of truth tightens i walk in truth gossip begins and your feet of peace keep you firm i will not participate in this finances are a daily battlefield the temptation to spend on what you don’t need the anxiety about how you will pay the bills the comparison with others who seem to have more each one is an attack that requires a specific piece of armor the shield of faith declares “My God will supply.” The sword of the spirit cuts but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you matthew 6:33 your marriage is a battlefield the enemy wants to destroy what God joined together he won’t do it with a catastrophic event necessarily he will try it with small accumulated resentments neglected communication intimacy sacrificed on the altar of tiredness every day you decide to love your spouse despite imperfections you are winning a battle every difficult conversation you face instead of avoiding you are advancing territory your children are on the battlefield the enemy wants their minds their hearts their future and while you sleep while you work while you are distracted he is sewing seeds through friends media culture but when you pray over them every day when you declare promises over their lives when you instruct them in the word you are placing the armor on them too nehemiah faced this same principle when he was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem he had enemies who wanted to stop him nehemiah 4:1 17-18 records those who built on the wall and those who carried burdens loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction and with the other held a weapon that is the image of the victorious Christian life it’s not that you stop living to only fight battles you build your life your family your ministry your career but always with one hand on the sword always conscious always prepared always dressed nighttime battles are real the enemy attacks your dreams he plants nightmares to rob you of rest he brings insomnia loaded with anxiety but Psalm 4:8 declares “I will both lie down in peace and sleep.” Before you close your eyes place the helmet of salvation
on your mind consistency is key you cannot dress with the armor only on Sundays and expect to be protected on Monday the victory is already secured there is a truth that must resonate in the deepest part of your being until it completely transforms how you see every battle you already won not you are going to win or you could win or you hope to win you already won the victory is not in doubt it is not pending it does not depend on your performance it was already secured 2,000 years ago on a cross outside Jerusalem colossians 2:15 declares with a certainty that should make hell tremble having disarmed principalities and powers he made a public spectacle of them triumphing over them in it jesus didn’t just defeat the enemy he disarmed him he made a public spectacle of him he triumphed over him past tense accomplished fact this radically changes the nature of your battles you are not fighting to win you are fighting from the victory that was already won it’s like an army that already received news that the war ended but still has to march through enemy territory to take possession of what already legally belongs to them the enemy knows it he knows he was defeated revelation 12:12 says that the devil knows that he has a short time his strategy now is not to win because he cannot his strategy is to deceive you into believing you haven’t won it is to make you fight from fear instead of from faith it is to keep you in ignorance of your authority when Joshua entered Canaan God didn’t tell him “Go and try to conquer the land.” He told him “Every place that the soul of your foot will tread upon I have given you.” Joshua 1:3 past tense it had already been given to them but they still had to walk fight conquer the victory was secured but possession required action that is exactly the place where you are today jesus already defeated every principality and power he already broke every power of hell he already opened the way for your complete freedom but you have to appropriate it you have to take possession you have to walk in the victory that is already yours the armor of God is not to achieve victory it is to walk in the victory you already have you are not trying to win the war you are enforcing the verdict that was already pronounced in heaven’s court satan was judged condemned and defeated you are simply applying that sentence 1 John 3:8 says “For this purpose the
Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil.” It doesn’t say to try to destroy or to begin to destroy to destroy complete finished every work of the enemy in your life every stronghold every chain every curse was already undone on the cross now you walk in that reality romans 8:37 goes even further yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us not just conquerors more than conquerors it is a victory so complete that you not only won the battle but you came out stronger than when you entered every attack the enemy launches to destroy you ends up strengthening your faith when you resist it but here is the danger you can have victory secured and still live defeated if you don’t believe it the Israelites who came out of Egypt had God’s promise that they would enter the promised land but an entire generation died in the desert because they didn’t believe the promise was real the victory was guaranteed but their unbelief robbed them of possession don’t make the same mistake don’t allow unbelief to keep you wandering in the desert of defeat when victory is already yours 2 Corinthians 2:14 says “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ Jesus.” Always not sometimes not when you behave well not when you pray enough always every piece of armor we have studied is an expression of Christ’s victory the belt of truth works because Jesus is the truth the breastplate of righteousness protects because he became sin so you might be made the righteousness of God the shoes of peace sustain you because he is your peace the shield of faith blocks because he is the author and finisher of your faith the helmet of salvation protects because he is your salvation the sword of the spirit cuts because he is the living word you are not depending on your own strength you are leaning on his complete victory when the enemy attacks you you are not defending yourself alone you are standing behind what Jesus already did it’s like being in an unbreakable fortress attacks come but they simply bounce off walls that were already established ephesians 1:19-21 speaks of the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe according to the working of his mighty power which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead the same power that raised Christ is working in you that means when you face an impossible situation you have access to resurrection power when the enemy thinks he has you defeated resurrection power says “I’m not finished yet.” When everything seems dead lost hopeless remember that you serve the God who specializes in resurrections the armor of God enables you to live from that victory every day you dress with it you are reminding yourself of the truth i am not trying to survive another day i am reigning in life romans 5:17 you are not a victim you are victorious you are not barely surviving you are reigning so when you face your next battle remember the victory is already secured you already won closing rise up dress fight always remember you already won in Christ Jesus amen
