Fix It So You Can Flourish: Do You Wear the Armour of God?

    As we continue our series in taking a close and honest look at passages so we can make be sure we are doing what God has commanded, let's take time this week to consider Ephesians 6:11-18:

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints..."  (NKJV)

    Do you wear the whole armour? Are you familiar with each piece and know how it protects you? God wants us to put on the "whole armour" He has given us. Why? Does God want us to be burdened? Not at all! He wants us to put on His whole armor so that we "may stand against the wiles of the devil" and "withstand in the evil day".

    Let's take a closer look at God's armor and better understand the benefits of putting it on each day:   

• Your heart is protected when you put on the breastplate of righteousness (living right before God, 1 John 2:28-3:8)
• The very core of your being is guarded when you wrap your waist with truth (2 Timothy 2:15, John 8:31-32; 14:6)
• Your walk is secured with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 2:14-18; 4:1-3)
• You are shielded with faith and able to extinguish the devil's attempts to harm you (Ephesians 6:16, 1 Peter 5:8-9, 1 John 5:4-5)
• Your mind is safeguarded with the helmet of salvation, as you meditate on God's glorious grace and His abundant blessings while pressing toward the goal. Meditating on these things also allows you readiness to talk about your hope through Jesus (Titus 2:11-14, Philippians 3:12-15, 1 Peter 3:15)
• You can defend yourself with God's word, the sword of the Spirit. When you study God's word and wholly obey it, you will do all that is good and profitable and no one will be able to bring an accusation against you (1 Peter 2:11-12; 3:15-17) 

    Put these pieces of armor each and every day you are blessed with! Prove them and test them by using them! Know how they work, learn how they can help you!

    Now, when you wake each day and put on every piece, pray! "Praying always with all prayers and supplication in the Spirit (according to God's word) being watchful to this end with all perseverance (constant determination) and supplication (asking for supplies/needs/help) for all the saints." Pray not only for your own strength to stand and withstand but also for your fellow Christians strength to stand and withstand!! We're all in this together (Galatians 6:1-2)!

Prepare yourselves and bravely stand for Christ! It's worth every effort!!

You can do it! So can I!!