So, you’ve been drafted into this battle. What kind of soldier will you be? How do you prepare? How do you equip yourself?

Ephesians 6v10-17 says: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

We need the armor to stand firm.  Now tell me this, if you’re in battle, how can you stand firm, and not be running over the place, ducking, jumping, shooting?

Colossians 2v14-15 says:  Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

The victory is ours!!  (said in a Pastor Oliver voice :-), the war was already won at Calvary, we  just need to hold on to the territory that God has already conquered.

v13: Stand firm for when the evil day comes. Job had his day of spiritual warfare, but he stood firm. 1Corinthians 16v13 says: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; We don’t need to budge when our day of spiritual warfare comes, but be equipped. It is the Lord’s strength that will enable you to stand firm.

There are 6 pieces of armor:

1. The belt of truth which is our standard of reality. We need to have an objective standard of truth. We respect the truth of doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, but what about the truth of God. John 14v6a: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
2. The breastplate of righteousness means commit yourself to a holy life. 2 Corinthians 5v21 says: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. God took our sins and gave us his righteousness.
3. The gospel of peace. v15 says: and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. The Roman soldier had cleats on the bottom of his shoes so he wouldn’t slip around when he walked, he was sure footed. When you live on truth and live in righteousness the peace of God will guard your hearts.
4. Shield of Faith means acting on the truth that you said you believed.
5. Helmet of Salvation… when you face a conflict to take up your position in Christ, rather than the circumstance your facing.
6. Sword of the Spirit.. the word of God. Hebrews 4v12 says: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Truth refers to Scripture. Sword refers to the use of the dagger, it’s utterance. Jesus repeated his own words many times: “It is written”, “Thou shalt not”.  Our words have no power but there is power in the word of God. We have to use it so we won’t be defeated.

Today let’s practice praying God’s words back to him.