“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11 NIV).
Once upon a time, long, long ago, I played football. After my playing days were over, I coached for several years. We had top of the line pads and equipment and did everything we could to protect our players from injury. Nevertheless, we still suffered many injuries during the course of the season. I could never imagine sending a player out to play in gym shorts and a T-shirt when everyone else was wearing a full set of protective equipment. It would be suicide to do such a crazy thing. Not long ago, I did something even crazier than that. I went out to play the game of life in my gym shorts and a T-shirt. I did not take time to put on my protective equipment…. the armor of God.
Now a football player who is not carrying the ball may avoid getting hurt for a few plays, but never a ball carrier. Eleven hostile players with different color jerseys are all zeroed in on the one carrying the ball. Their mission is to hit the ball carrier so hard that he fumbles the ball, or at least impede his progress toward the goal line. Get the picture?
We are on God’s team trying to make positive yardage, score points, and win the game. satan and his demons are doing everything they can to thwart us and to dislodge us from our relationship with Jesus… the Ball, if you will. God knows that we cannot compete efficiently if we do not have the proper protective equipment. Therefore, He has provided for us the whole armor of God. You will find them all mentioned in Ephesians chapter six. Once we have donned our armor, we are ready for the game. The battle. The warfare. God calls it prayer. We wear armor so we can pray. Trying to pray without armor is like trying to play football in gym shorts. Crazy. Just plain crazy.
Let me explain what the armor does for us. The helmet of salvation protects our mind so that satan cannot knock us off track in our thought life while we pray. Ever been distracted by weird thoughts while you were trying to pray? That’s why we need the helmet of salvation.
The breastplate of righteousness covers our heart and vital organs. It keeps the devil from bombarding us with the lie about how unworthy we are to talk to the God of the universe. The breastplate of righteousness assures us that we have been made the righteousness of Christ and that’s the way God looks at us. Believe it!
The belt of truth covers our bowels. Long ago people believed that our emotions were in our bowels, the seat of our emotions. The KJV of the Bible speaks of “bowels of mercy.” The belt of truth filters all of our emotions through the truth of God’s Word and weeds out “lying emotions” such as fear, dread, discouragement, and depression. For example, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind,” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV). See how it works?
Our feet are shod with shoes of peace. Wherever we go, we go in His peace. No matter what the circumstances, Jesus is with us. And because He is our Peace, we carry His peace wherever we go and to whomever we meet. Neat, isn’t it?
Paul tells us, “Above all, take up the shield of faith…” The shield of a Roman soldier from whom Paul gleaned this analogy covered the entire body. Many were made of wood and soaked in a substance (spiritually speaking, the Holy Spirit) that would quench the fiery arrows and spears of the enemy. The shield is vital if we are to engage the enemy successfully. When the enemy shoots a fiery dart of deception, temptation, lies, etc., we simply raise our shield of faith and quench it. When the battle gets tough, many become discouraged and lay down their shields. That is more disastrous than playing football without a helmet. Keep that shield up, Beloved!
Finally, we have the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. It is both an offensive and defensive weapon. It is the weapon Jesus used against the devil when He was tempted in the wilderness. You must keep your Sword sharp and ready through study, memorization, and meditation. You never know when the enemy will attack, and you will need your Sword. Keep it sheathed in your heart and be ready to draw It at a moment’s notice.
Have I convinced you of your need for the WHOLE armor of God? I hope so. Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get dressed. Tape this prayer on your mirror and pray it every morning. You must be prepared for the day’s battle. Ready? Here we go….
Lord Jesus, I am strong in You and the power of Your might. I put on the whole armor of God and do stand against the plans of the devil. In the Name of the Lord Jesus, I bind Satan and the principalities, the powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world. I bind and cast down spiritual wickedness in high places and render them harmless and ineffective against me and my loved ones. I resist you, devil, in the Name of Jesus, and I stand my ground.
I have the belt of truth buckled around my waist—the truth of God sets me free! I have on the breastplate of righteousness that covers my body, my heart and my vital organs and shows me that I am in right standing with my God! My feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and I take those feet and tread on serpents and scorpions, for I have been given authority over all their power. I take the helmet of salvation and cover my head securely, for I have the mind of Christ. The only spirit I will follow is the Spirit of the living God that lives inside me and speaks to me from within.
I take the shield of faith and quench every arrow you throw at me, satan! I take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and pierce through your wicked plans, for it is written that all I have to do is submit myself to God, and tell you to flee, and you have to go. Now, GO! in the Name of Jesus.
I place the blood of Jesus over me, my family, my home, my ministry, my place of employment, my bank account, my debts, my car, my possessions—all of which belong to God—and I serve notice that your power is broken, satan, over me and mine, in Jesus’ Name.
Thank You, Father. Send people my way today that need a touch from You. In Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Blessings,
Kenny
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