Our Armor and Protector
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Why Spiritual Warfare?!
Why Spiritual Warfare?!
Because it is October. No, that is not the only reason. Thinks have been tough the past week at least. Many of you know the different ones in our congregation who are battling various health issues. Have you noticed our church sign is out? so is the fridge in the kitchen and the copier in the Secretary’s office is not working properly. There is a window in the youth area that is getting fixed after it was broken somehow. The bus is now working. But there are other issues that are just little jabs, but they hurt or at least annoying. Tarah, our new secretary is doing very well. It is a very interesting time here at the church.
I have to admit to you that these things are like straight attacks from Satan. So, we need to develop a battle plan! As a child of God, you are a soldier in His kingdom. Yet we do not have weapons to fight with like our nations military. Our weapons are Praise, Prayer, and Study. Before we being, I am going to revel to you one of my personal weapons. I love to praise God by dancing. When I am stressed or anxious, I turn on some praise music and I dance. I feel so much better after I do that. I was told one time that spiritual chains are loosened when I dance. That is why I call it a spiritual weapon of mine. It may not seem like a real weapon, but how can memorizing scripture passages, or praying to God be a weapon? They are, all of these things are and that is what we are going to talk about today.
Pray and Read Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
That first verse is one that our kids should remember. I told them that if they memorize this verse and can quote it back to me, that I would given them this little toy dragon. All of them did and it was amazing for me to hear these kids say that they were going to be strong in the Lord and walk in His strength and power.
I want us today to real focus on Verse 12. Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
So now think about my dancing, or reading and memorizing scripture, or praying fervently. So if our enemies are not flesh and blood but supernatural, than our weapons needs to be supernatural or spiritual.
Evil does exist. There are people who are influenced by the Devil and they do evil things. Some people not only acknowledge that they do the work of Lucifer but even desire to do so and never worry about the consequences. There are things going on in the world that some of us would never understand or be able to process. The thing is, it is not the people that we need to worry about. It is the forces that have them that is our enemy.
So when this passage talks about putting on the whole armor of God, the armor pieces are spiritual in nature. Let’s go over them. The visual aid that Paul had a reference were the Roman guards who kept him prisoner. So each piece is different than what a solder would wear today. Yet each piece represents Jesus, His Word, the Gospel, Righteousness that is found in the Holy Spirit, our Commission to spread the gospel. In other words, God has given us every piece of armor that we could possibly need to defend ourselves against the Spiritual Forces of Evil.
Verse 18 tells us of another weapon we need. We need to pray, but not just talk to God, but to have a spiritual conversation with God. Open ourselves up to the power of the Holy Spirit. Just ask for the power of the Holy Spirit. Say, “God I am open to you. Anything you want to say, I will listen. Anything you want me to speak, I will say.” Pray boldly! Romans 8:26-27
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Also, I want to challenge you like I did the kids this summer. Memorize a scripture text that will help you in your spiritual battles. If you already have a scripture memorized, memorize another one.
I will give you a couple of suggestions: This passage in Ephesians is a good place to start. Just verse 10-13 would be great! Also the one we read Romans 8:26-27.
Also, I like this text and use it as a prayer. Declare these words over your life: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Ultimately, our biggest weapon is the very name of Jesus. When you can’t find the any other words to speak and life seems to overwhelming, say His name. JESUS
God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.
In His name, and the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen!