COMPLETE PROTECTION(3)
In v.12 Paul tells us the conflict is serious and he lists 4 groups that contend against us and the Church. 1. Principalities
2. Powers
3. Rulers of the darkness of this world
4. Spiritual wickedness in high places
We are not shadowboxing in this battle, the enemy is real, even though they do not consist of bodies made of flesh and blood. The day we were born again we were enlisted into God’s army, and we are to join His wrestling team. History tells us that often losers in a Greek wrestling team had their eyes gouged out with resulting blindness, this emphasises the reality of our enemies.
So because of this we must PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, only then will we stand our ground, and having done all the crisis demands we stand firmly in victory.
Paul now begins listing the pieces of armour. When a soldier went off duty he would loosen his armour, but when on duty the belt must be tightened, so the soldier was ready for battle. This was a wide belt that covered the loins area Girding your loins was the opposite of self- indulgence, ease and carelessness. We must stand literally in the realm of the truth of God’s Word. The psalmist said “Your Word have I hid in my heart that I will not sin against you. Oh that we would saturate our hearts and lives with the WORD OF GOD. Have you heard the saying? This book will keep me from sin, but sin will keep me from this book.
WE MUST BE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
Solomon the wisest man in the world said (Prov:3.3-4) Let not mercy and truth forsake you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favour and high esteem in the sight of God and man.
Error will put us out of the battle, and make you vulnerable to the enemy’s attack. Jesus said “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”.
Peter (2 Peter 1.12) continues to encourage us to be established in present truth. The Holy Spirit wants to continue to reveal truth to us, that is why we must, read, study and meditate constantly in the Word of God. See it as your daily food and drink. Many believers complain they are not being fed well in church! How can we expect to grow if we listen to one or 2 sermons a week, My Christian brother & sister YOU MUST LEARN TO FEED YOURSELF.
I love Church History especially from the Reformation, basically all truth was lost during the “Dark Ages” but God began to restore truth. From the reformation we see the progressive restoration of Truth.
Martin Luther The Just shall live by faith
Anabaptists Baptism by immersion
John Calvin The Sovereignty of God
The Wesleys Holy Living/Small groups and so much more
William Booth Dynamic evangelism and social Justice
J.N.Darby The Local Church/ second Coming truth
A.B.Simpson Missions & Divine Healing
Pentecostals The Power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
GOD IS STILL RESTORING AND REAFFIRMING TRUTH
There have been various revivals since the beginning of the 20th Century which have emphasised Prayer
Praise & Worship
The Ministry Gifts of Christ and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Discipleship
Deliverance from demonic influences in believers lives.
The Grace of God.
Sadly, every time a truth is restored two things happen
An overemphasis of the truth
A rejection of the truth.
TRUTH MUST BE HELD IN BALANCE
It was Martin Luther that coined the phrase “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water”
Many believers look at the overemphasis and extremes (the dirty bath water) and throw out and reject the glorious truth the Lord is seeking to restore to His church.
Paul tells us in Eph. 1.17, we need both Revelation & Wisdom.
In further blogs we will give much attention to this piece of Armour.
Please let me hear from you and let me receive your questions and comments.
