Thoughts on our Armour....
The Word tells us to put on our armor. The full armor of God. Well what does it mean
to ''put on God''s armor''?
Rom 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation(safety, soundness) is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on(CLOTHE) the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision(Forethought) for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
No forethought to fulfill the lust of the flesh. That means we make a conscious decision to fulfill the lust. We decide somewhere down the line to cross the line. That means also that somehow we do know where the line is, or more precisely, the Holy Spirit lets us know where that line is. We have to learn to listen to the subtleness of the HS in every area. If you are clothed in the Lord, you will look very much like Him. We should all endeavor to look like Him, so we should all endeavor to NOT fulfill the lust of the flesh. This lust is often fulfilled by our MOUTH. It starts as a thought and then takes action.
2 Cor 6:1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
That means that we can receive it in vain. What a shame. We have all we need. He''s given it all to us and yet we receive some of it in vain. In other words, we don''t put it to use. We waste it. We sit it outside and let the elements ruin it. Like milk- milk contains everything that a baby needs, but if we don''t use it or leave it out, it will ruin.
3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
We choose the way of the flesh. We desire something so much that we will reject even God. We may have a soft spot for a friend that is ungodly, or worse, it can be our own sin that we don''t want to give up. This only opens the door to more sin and brings about destruction.
Pr 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."
2 Cor 6:13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty
We must separate ourselves from sin and choose God''s way. (To whom ye yield yourself to, ye shall be slaves of-John 8:34).
Eph 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Using this armor, we don't give into that temptation, that sin... those words... our flesh..
12 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.
We are NOT wrestling against people, if we are wrestling against people, we are in the flesh. Our warfare must be in our mind and in the heavenlies... don't forget to cast down imaginations...haughty thougths that go against god's will...
13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 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--
Gird waist with truth--
gird: means to Prepare. You must prepare yourself with the truth.
Waist: loins, lower part of back. Inside things, hidden, inner workings of your spirit that no one sees... this will cover your back, protecting the kidney''s which filter poison out of your system--see --root of bitterness
Heb 12:14-15 follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord, looking diligently (carefully) lest any man fail of the grace of God (which he will), lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby MANY BE DEFILED...
Speaking the truth(GOD''s) protects you from bringing a seed of bitterness into your spirit... and then spreading it to others, defiling even them. "many be defiled" comes through our spreading the word, reviling in the sin of another... this causes strife and division and God is not happy when we do this.
Breastplate of righteousness
righteousness (conformity to the revealed will of God in all respects) just, righteous.
Protects your heart, lungs , life source --your breath.
God is our source for righteousness (2 Tim 4:8)
Preparation of the gospel of peace
preparation: readiness
gospel: good news, word
peace: unity, concord
Is 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, your God reigns.
Not how beautiful is him that brings strife and division by their words, how beautiful are them that bring PEACE and UNITY>
PURSUE peace with all men
Taking the shield of Faith, being able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked
non-active warfare
shield: a large shield
faith: steadfastness, faithfulness
warfare that is in the spirit, trusting RESTING in the Lord that it''s done. A shield protects us, it''s basically a non-active weapon, and the shield does the work, we just have to hold it up.
I John 5:4 for whatever is born(brought forth) of God overcomes the world(arrangement, beauty, world), and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith(steadfastness).
A shield protects the whole body.
Take the helmet of salvation
helmet: something around the head, which is in ''charge''
salvation : safety, soundness
I Thess 5:8 But let us who are of the day be sober(watchful), putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
Breastplate:a breastplate or corset consisting of two parts and protecting the body on both sides from the neck to the middle
helmet:
The protection of the soul which consists in (the hope of) salvation
The sword of the spirit which is the word
sword: fighting weapon (Active)
Spirit: holy spirit, pneuma
word: the rhema word
A rhema word, not logos, the written word, but a rhema word, that is a revelation straight from God (through the holy spirit) it comes with the authority for action. Spirit is the holy spirit by which a rhema is given to us and it releases the holy spirit to act in our behalf.
Is 49:2 he has made my mouth like a sharp sword
Heb 4:12 For the word (rhema) of God is living and powerful, sharper than any 2-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication(deprecation).
Most leave this out of the armor, but it is a part.
A warrior uses his mouth to threaten the enemy, to plead a case before a king.
Be watchful, a warrior is always ready and watching his back for the enemy
more on The tongue
James 3:5 consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark 6 the tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell.
Boy is this true... a few words can start a forest fire. Lord guard our mouths that we will speak words from your direction, not from our selves or worse yet, satan himself. You can do this and not even realize it... most christians would say that could never be used by the devil, but that is untrue, he uses us all the time through our sin nature...
James 3:9 and with it(tongue) we curse(doom, evil upon) men who have been made in God''s likeness
James 3:16 for where you have envy(zeal, jealousy) and selfish ambition(contention, strife, disorder), there you find disorder(instability) and every evil practice.
V17 but the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then Peace Loving, considerate, submissive, full or MERCY and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peace makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
James 4:1 what causes quarrels(battle, strife, contention) and fights(strife) among you? Don''t they come from your desires(pleasure, sweetness) that battle within you?
James 4:5 or do you think scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us TENDS(desires) TOWARD ENVY(jealousy), but he gives us more grace. That is why scripture says God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Prov 14:1 "A wise one builds(to build up, IE. Edify) her house, and a foolish tears(to tear down, beat down, destroy) it down with her very hands(strength, power, --often the TONGUE)"
Are you have a hard time? Advancing in ''ministry'' or other areas? Could God be opposing you because of Pride and Envy? God will continue to oppose you until you are Humble. He won''t promote you when you are causing strife and division in the church, when you are ''tearing it down''. We often try to promote ourselves instead of Jesus. Take a good look, are you desiring to do works so you can feel like a 'minister', like someone improtant? Or are you simply seeking to be a servant to bring HIM glory? Look where the glory lies... there will be your answer.. do you feel proud when you have 'done something for the Lord'? Why not instead do something WITH the Lord...
James 4:7 Submit yourselves then, to God(in other words, when you are waling in envy pride, or strife, you are submitted to the devil (Jam4:6, and what you offer yourselves to - that will be your master)) we like to think the devil can''t use us, but he can) resist the devil and he will flee from you
this warfare has to do with not rooting out demons in the way we think, but putting down the sin nature in ourselves that was buried and died when we were buried in the baptism of Christ.
Is. 59:17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation on his head
I Thes 5:8 but let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet the HOPE of salvation
Be honest with yourself and with others. Forget polite, tell the truth. When Jesus dealt with the pharisees and Sadducees he told them what he really thought. He told them he thought they were a brood of vipers. He didn''t think ''will that hurt their feelings, or will I be walking in love" True love tells the TRUTH. He knew that the only way any of them would come to salvation would be to admit the TRUTH about themselves. Sugarcoating things does'nt work. It skirts the issue and we wind up offended and wondering what is wrong. Reconciliation only comes through the TRUTH. Peace only comes through the truth.
Seek in your self your true self... stop looking at other's for the problem... if there is a problem you must look at YOU... Jesus will never say.. it's the other person, but will simply correct the err in you....