Are You Dressed?

April 12, 2013 “For we are not contending only with physical opponents, but against the master spirits who are the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the supernatural sphere. Therefore, put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day of danger, and having done all the crisis demands, to stand, firmly planted in your place.” (Ephesians 6: 12-13 Amp.) We who are patriotic Americans, and especially those of you who are in the military, are very aware that we are at war, not with any particular country but with those who are following the ideologies of those in the world who want to destroy us. These enemies want to change our very souls (minds, wills, and emotions) to following their damnable ideologies. They try to take control so very subtly and sometimes even violently. Their ideologies are filled with darkness, deceit and eventual destruction. We think we are impervious to their tactics, but if we are not aware of their battle strategy and forever vigilant we can be duped and become their pawns to carry out their diabolical plans. Because of this “new kind of enemy” our military is being trained not only physically but psychologically how to fight this ideological adversary. We who are true Christians are fighting a war against an enemy who wants to steal from us, kill us, and destroy us. So we recognize the importance, urgency and necessity to be educated who our enemy is, his strategies and his goals. Our enemy is Satan, the devil. He is a deceiver and the father of lies. His strategies are subtle and he works in darkness and deceit. He tries to “divide and conquer,” knowing that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” His goals are to “steal, kill and destroy us.” He comes clothed in “light, goodness and beauty,” when all the time he is the god of darkness, evil and destruction. The only way Christians can fight him is by educating ourselves to our enemy and his battle plan, and by learning, memorizing and appropriating our “war manual” – the Bible – God’s Word, our Sword of the Spirit. God’s Word is the only offensive weapon in our armor. We resist the enemy with the Word of God, just as Jesus did in His temptations. Ephesians six has a vital exposé on the Christian’s spiritual “armor” by which we can “stand” against this enemy of our soul, and be victorious. All of the pieces of armor are vitally important to be able to stand against this enemy, but in verse fourteen we are admonished to hold our ground, having tightened the Belt of Truth around our loins. Without the Belt of Truth we couldn’t use or fight with all the other pieces of armor. Truth binds everything else together and makes it effective. Truth is a most wonderful thing. It is the cornerstone of all our Christian faith, because Jesus is Truth. Truth means “honesty, trustworthy, exact and genuine.” We choose each day to walk in honesty, with ourself and others, no matter the cost. Abraham Lincoln had many nick-names but the most famous is, “Honest Abe.” What a wonderful character quality! Because of this character quality, Abraham Lincoln was known to be trustworthy, genuine, exact and factual in all he said. Each of these synonyms of Truth is what he became known for. He girded himself with Truth every day, as we should. Truth is one of the names of Jesus. He said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” He spoke truly and lived truly. Truth was part of His essence, His DNA. Though all might deny Him, He could not deny Himself. We must wear Jesus as our belt that holds together all the rest of our armor; otherwise we are not dressed for battle and will lose the battle. Our head is a vital part of our body, without it we are dead. Our head houses our thinking (our intellect), choices (our will) and our feelings (emotions). It houses the central nervous system which controls and keeps alive all other parts of the body. Therefore, it must be protected above all other parts. Ephesians 6:17 tells us to protect and “save” the soul (mind, will & emotions), we must put on the “Helmet of Salvation.” We must choose the “Helmet of Salvation” in order that our spirits and souls will live eternally. If we do not have the Helmet of Salvation when we die, the body dies but the soul and spirit will live forever, but without God or hope – eternally lost. We stand having shod our feet in preparation to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news of the Gospel of peace (v.15 Amp.). We must live in peace, speak peace and rest in the peace that only comes from the Prince of Peace (Isa.9:6). What good news that all who receive the Prince of Peace can also have this peace. Then we must lift up over all the covering Shield of Saving Faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one (all those temptations, doubts and fears) (v.16). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb.11:6). Now faith is the assurance, the confirmation, the title deed of the things we hope for, being the proof of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality. Faith perceives as real fact what is not revealed to the senses (Heb.11: 1 Amp.). The Shield of Faith will cause us to overcome the evil one when he comes in like a flood. Standing in God’s armor we then are to pray at all times, on every occasion, in every season in the Spirit of God, with all manner of prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the other consecrated people of God (v.18). Remember, we are an “army marching forth to war with the cross of Jesus going on before.” We are not alone in this battle but as a Christian soldier we must not only put on the complete armor of God, but we must pray for our fellow soldiers – there is overcoming strength in the power of prayer. Onward Christian Soldiers Sabine Baring-Gould Onward, Christian soldiers marching as to war with the cross of Jesus going on before! Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see His banners go! At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee. On then Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise; brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise! Like a mighty army moves the Church of God. Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod. We are not divided, all one body we – one in hope and doctrine, one in charity. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war with the cross of Jesus going on before!