The Christian’s Armor
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
I trust this series is going to be a blessing to all. Many of you understand the correlation between self image and input. If it is something you have not considered, I trust last week’s devotional brought that truth into focus. Once we understand the correlation then we can start inputting truth into us. The Bible calls it meditation. Taking something you learned in your devotions and giving thought and prayer to it until it becomes a pattern- replacing negative or destructive thought. We call these channels. A course the brain travels when a specific situation occurs or certain words are heard. These can be changed. An example. The other night Lisa and I were talking and I jokingly said that “I was more precious than gold.” In the back of my mind I was going to tie that statement into how our “faith is more precious than gold.” However before I could say it Lisa responded by saying, I sure had a high view of myself. As I was about to explain The Holy Spirit spoke and said “why should I not have a high view of myself?” After all I am more precious than gold. His blood covers me. His love abides in me, an adopted prince standing before the throne in Christ. I have every reason to feel more precious than gold. WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO FEEL MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD but we don’t. Why? How would every decision and choice be impacted if we truly lived out our true identity? What keeps us from doing so? Let’s go into this next series with these questions.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” The Greek word for strong is endunamoo. A compound word from “en” meaning “in or and” and dunamoo ” make strong, vigorous, to strengthen, or become strong. Synonyms are “to enable, to strengthen fully, strengthen so as to establish.” A neat word. The Greek for power is equally significant “Kratos.” It’s meanings are “manifested power,” meaning power that can be seen, not necessarily employed but because of that power it has “dominion (rule).” It emphasizes the presence and significance of force or strength rather than its use.
It combining the two we have “Finally brethren conquer and rule (over the sin nature) because of the overwhelming power of God that lies within you.” Since this is true why then are we not experiencing spiritual rulership in our lives? Faith in the Lord brings the indwelling Holy Spirit. Faith Is like an extension cord. When the extension cord is plugged in it can run very powerful and heavy duty equipment. However unplugged it powers nothing. Faith is our cord to God’s power. Faith is built (or comes) by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). However ignoring this, prioritizing other things before our devotions to The Lord, and our power cord becomes unplugged. To prioritize means we chose to put God first. I am not talking about days when the choice is not available.
He says “come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28), or “Trust in The Lord with all your heart lean not unto your own understanding and I will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5&6, my all time favorite). To take matters into our own hands is to live as though we have no Heavenly Father. It brings injury and sin to our soul. Before sin is ever an action it starts with a thought go my own way. This is to become unplugged. The act creates the consequences “you shall reap what you sow.” Therefore to say no to God when He calls us to fellowship, or choosing not to do so “pulls the cord.”
I took a couple weeks of horsemanship classes. I loved horses at the time (I was 13). I was hoping to own one someday. In class they taught you how to properly guide your horse. It was not necessary to pull the reins so that the horse felt the bit in its mouth. Their mouths are very sensitive, and that was poor if not bad guidance. Rather you were simply to lay the reign across the horse’s neck emphasizing with gentle pressure to the side in which you wanted the horse to turn. Boy what a difference. Instead of the horse fighting me and raising up its head wanting freedom from my improper steering, he simply went in the direction I emphasized. There is a neat scripture that speaks of this in Psalms 32:8-9
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they (will not) come near unto thee.” (referring to His promise to guide). He simply wants to impress our spirits with his will and we turn. “He will not yank on the reins.” If we want to go in the opposite direction He will let us go.
Father God,
Give us a heart to love Your Word, because it represents fellowship with You. Let us do it because you invite us to come to you, not because we are trying to earn your favor. We are already favored. As you move in us touch those areas in our life that need healing. Thank you and Amen
Move Forward in His Grace – Arthur