The Armor Of God 7 Of 8

He tells us in this passage of scripture how we can DEFEND OURSELVES and how we can DEFEAT SATAN.

One of the obvious problems it seems among Christians today is that they are not aware they are at war with Satan.

Illus: A lady was talking with another lady on her job about attending church with her. The lady told her that she attended one of the big churches downtown, and said she likeed attending there for social reasons.

This Christian lady said, “Since when has the church been established for social reasons?”

She is absolutely correct! God never established the church for SOCIAL REASONS! Many Christians are in the midst of the greatest war that has ever taken place and they are not even aware of it.

Paul, in this passage of Scripture that deals with the ARMOR OF GOD, tries to make us aware of that. But Paul is not the only New Testament writer to warn us, so does Peter.

Look at 1 Peter 4:12, he says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.”

Peter tries to warn us to expect these rough times in this life, nevertheless many Christians seem shocked that these hard times can come into our life.

WHY DO CHRISTIANS THINK WE LIVE IN PEACE TIME INSTEAD OF WAR TIME? Because of three reasons:

1. WE THINK LIFE ON EARTH IS SUPPOSED TO BE HEAVEN

Every day when we wake up, we need to tell ourselves, “THIS IS NOT HEAVEN!” Heaven is going to be free from the sorrows and heartaches of this life, but as long as we live on this earth, Job said in Job 14:1, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.”

Many feel they are being cheated of happiness because they keep thinking that THEIR EARTHLY LIFE IS THEIR HEAVENLY LIFE!

2. ALL ACTORS WE MEET DO NOT LIVE IN HOLLYWOOD

We are surrounded by actors and actresses who live among us that live as if they do not have a problem in this world.

WHY DO THEY DO THIS? Because they want us to envy them!

But if you follow these people around you will find out they have as many problems as you have, if not more. The only difference between them and you, is that they are great at acting like they have the perfect life that is free of problems, and you are not as good at acting as they are.

But many live their lives feeling like they are being cheated, and if they only had the life that So and So had they would have it made.

3. EACH DAY WE ARE EXPOSED TO BRAINWASHING ADVERTISEMENTS

Every day, through billboard ads, newspaper ads, magazine ads, radio ads, and television ads, we are being brainwashed to believe if we want the BEST OF LIFE we have to buy all these things that are placed before us, and we cannot live without these things if we want to enjoy life.

Some of these advertisements make us laugh at them because of what they are implying. But listen, the advertising world knows if they can keep these things before the public, they will soon be brainwashed to believe they must have these things if they are going to have the perfect life here on earth.

It is time for God’s people to get their eyes off people and advertisements, and get their eyes on God’s Word. This life on earth is not heaven. The Bible makes it clear this is A SPIRITUAL WAR ZONE THAT WE LIVE IN EACH DAY.

It is important for Christians to remember that every Christian is in a spiritual battle, and that every believer must equip himself with the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD.

• Every day of our life, we are a potential target for Satan and the forces of darkness

• The Christian life is not a PLAYGROUND but a BATTLEGROUND.

God has provided us this armor so that we might live in victory. Thus, we can surmise that when we as believers are defeated in our lives, it is because we have not appropriated some or all of the armor of God.

Though each piece of the armor is equally important in its respective responsibility, the sword is the first offensive weapon mentioned in the armor of the believer.

We do not have to sit there like a billy goat in a hail storm and take it, we can dish it back faster than Satan can dish it to us.

We are indeed thankful that God has given us DEFENSIVE armor so that we can protect ourselves, but also we are thankful indeed for this OFFENSIVE weapon He has given us so we can use it to drive off the attacks the devil. Let’s look at-