HAVE YOU CHECKED INTO BOOT CAMP YET?
I have just written a blog on “addiction” you will need to read it to know what I was talking about, except to say we have an enemy and we need to recognise his “wiles” (Eph.6:11) and his his strategies. He is very subtle and will use what “appears” to be cool and ok, to cause us to stumble.
In over 700 blogs that I have written there has been little mention of our enemy, I don’t like to talk about him, or put the spotlight on him, but the Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
I often say and it is true that I am my biggest enemy, but we have an external enemy and the Bible calls him the devil. Did you realise the day you were born again you were enlisted in God’s army, may we check into “boot camp” and learn to be a good soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1.WE MUST KNOW OUR ENEMY. In Ephesians 6:10-18 we have our MANUAL FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
2.WE MUST KNOW OUR WEAPONARY (all 7 pieces listed are listed in these verses).
3.WE MUST KNOW OUR AUTHORITY.
This knowing is not just embracing mental information, this is knowing by revelation a personal RHEMA WORD
So we will unpack these verses in Ephesians 6, I trust it may be a strong word to you to lift you to a new level of victory and purity and power in your life.
Firstly, let me remind you that the devil WAS DEFEATED when Jesus died on the Cross, he literally has NO POWER, but Believers are often ignorant of this fact and unwittingly give him power that is not his to take, He loves to deceive and blind the Believer’s eyes that is why we need to know what our armoury is and how to use it.
In verse 10 Paul tells to be STRONG (not in our own strength) but in all that the Lord has made available to us that is written here in the WILL, and we need to claim it as our own,
Basically the 2 key words in the manual is PUT ON (v.11) The day we were born again, we were given a whole wardrobe of armour, this is why Biblical Discipleship is so important, we must learn as soon as possible certain things:
What is the Armour?
How to put it on
How to use it.
If we don’t the devil will start tripping us up from day 1, he is not happy, he does not want to lose you, and will try all his strategies to get you back (if he can).
Paul tells us in v: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. When we got saved we joined the “wrestling team” and Paul spells out the 4 different spiritual forces that want to contend against the Believer.
As parents we have to tell our children more than once to do something, Paul repeats himself in verse 13 and says TAKE UP (or put on) the WHOLE armour of God, not one piece or two but all 7 pieces., and only then will we be able to stand against this imposter (who has no power) and continue to stand.
In verses 14-18 Paul spells out the 7 pieces of armour, the first 6 pieces are all related to a Roman soldier, and he then changes the analogy for the 7th and very important piece of armour.
- The Belt of truth
- The Breastplate of Righteousness
- The Footwear of Peace
- The Shield of faith
- The Helmet of Salvation
- The Sword of the Spirit
- Prayer
I may write about the pieces of armour in a different order in the following blogs.
I have said enough about knowing our enemy, I will spend much time, knowing our armoury, and learning to put it in and knowing how to use it, and then finally, highlight the Believer’s authority, in this battle with the enemy.
I do trust this series will be a blessing to you, and help you to become the VICTORIOUS SOLDIER OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
