WMD – Our Armor
Many Christians walk around completely unprotected and that’s why we need the armor of God.
When a knight in armour was killed in battle, what sign did they put on his grave?
A: Rust in peace!
(SURVEY) (SURVEY)
For those of us that life is great…
I believe it was Lincoln that said one time, "In the time of peace, prepare for war."
Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst;
he promises honor and pays with disgrace;
he promises pleasure and pays with pain;
he promises profit and pays with loss;
he promises life and pays with death.
1. We should have complete dependency upon Jesus.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (English Standard Version)
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the (Power) strength of his might. (emphasis mine)
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (King James Version)
8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
Temptation won’t be removed…But our dependency upon Jesus will help us overcome!
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (Jesus being 1st) Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2. Partial armor means partially exposed.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Five frogs are sitting on a log. Four decide to jump off. How many frogs are on the log? Answer: Five.
Nothing happens when you decide to do something...it’s only when you take action that anything changes. How many times have you "decided" to pray more, read the Bible more, eat less, etc? Did "deciding" get it done? No. Only when you added action to that decision did change occur. As a leader, it doesn’t matter what you decide, what matters is what you DO.
• We can decide to wear the Armor of God, but we still have to do it.
• The devil is plotting right now against you. How to steal from you, kill you, and destroy you.
• He never sleeps, never goes on vacation, and never takes a break scheming on how to end our prosperity.
He is wondering
• How can I distract them?
• How can I get them to make God 2nd place in their life?
• How can I get their eye’s onto their own desires?
• How can I get them to not care that much?
12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
2nd heaven is where the power or posse of devils reside, and where they are above us, over our heads, overlooking us, and watching every advantage against us
13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Each piece of armor is designed for a specific purpose.
3. We are to wrap our lives in the word.
14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth,
This needs to be a priority in our lives.
If he can disrupt our priorities then steal our prosperity.
We are to wrap our self in the Gospel, and have a firm grasp of it’s doctrines.
This means we are to wrap ourselves in the teaching of God’s word that develops our positions and principles in our life.
• How we live
• How we speak
• How we pray
• How we love
• How we give
2 Corinthians 10:5 (King James Version)
5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
To demolish reasoning’s and arguments…that try to undermine the will of God and word of God. Humans intellectual reasoning’s that rationalize away the power of God in the box.
4. God’s Righteousness protects our heart against accusations.
14…and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
This protects our heart from being pierced by the lies of the devil.
Accuser of the brethren…
But we have to let go of our reasoning
Romans 10:2-4 (New Life Version)
2 I know about them. They have a strong desire for God, but they do not know what they should about Him. 3 They have not known how God makes men right with Himself. Instead, they have tried to make their own way. They have not become right with God because they have not done what God said to do. 4 For Christ has put an end to the Law, so everyone who has put his trust in Christ is made right with God.
I will no long identify…new creature.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (English Standard Version)
16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
5. We are to be a peace maker.
15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
James 3:15-17 (King James Version)
15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
6. Faith is my shield that resists all attacks.
16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
James 2:20
Faith without works is dead.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
7. My mind is the mind of Christ.
17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
"the helmet of the Saviour"
Not to be led by humanistic reasoning, but to have the mind of Christ, see our life as Christ would see it.
Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God…
Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
8. We are to praying in the Spirit.
18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Romans 8:26-27 (English Standard Version)
26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
