Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
The Armor of God
Ephesians 6:11
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
One thing that is certain, we know that adjusting to change can be challenging. Be it planned or unplanned, gradual, or sudden, change is inevitable and very much part of being human. Over the past few years, we have experienced an unprecedented shift in our way of life due to covid.
We took precautions and protection to guard against the covid virus and its variants.
There’s something much more dangerous and deadly than a virus going around. As St. Peter puts it, “Be alert and sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. That’s more dangerous than the virus but I don’t think people are concerned about this threat as they are about the virus.
The Armor of God, described by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:10 -18, is our spiritual defense against attacks by Satan. Paul urges us to guard against “the schemes of the devil, and “the spiritual forces of the evil.
How can we do this?
Put on the Whole Armor of God. Let’s take a brief look at them:
The Belt of Truth: This is the first element of the armor of God. The soldiers’ belts or harnesses held all of their weapons and armor together. For the believer truth holds our spiritual armor together.
Remember- Satan is the father of lies. He disguises himself and manipulates your perspective.
He wants to destroy you, but he cannot stand against the truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6). If you want victory you need to know the truth and the truth begins by understanding who you are in Christ Jesus.
The Breastplate of Righteousness: The breastplate of righteousness guards our heart. A wound to the chest can be fatal. Without a solid breastplate, a soldier would easily be killed with one blow from the enemy’s sword or arrow. The breastplate protects the soldier’s heart and lungs.
Our heart is susceptible to the wickedness of this world, but our protection is the righteousness that comes from Jesus Christ. Being righteous is being right, perfect, or without sin. Jesus died to take away our sin. We put on the breastplate of righteousness when we put our faith in Jesus. Let it cover and protect you, keep your heart strong and pure for God: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Footwear of the Gospel of Peace: Boots protect soldiers from injuries on the battlefield. The Gospel of peace is our protection, reminding us that it is by grace that our souls are saved. Peace is needed for spiritual warfare. Satan wants to rob believers of peace by placing doubts in our minds. He knows if we doubt God’s power or promises, we will surely slip, and he will gain ground. We must remain firmly planted in the peace that Jesus gives us.
Shield of Faith: The Soldier’s shield is a defensive weapon that protects him from the enemy’s attack. If the enemy shoots arrows at him he holds the shield to keep the arrows from hitting his body. The Bible says that our shield of faith can put out the flaming arrows that the devil fires at us. Faith keeps us safe from all these attacks.
The Helmet of Salvation: The helmet is the most important piece of armor. A blow to the head will kill or disable the first responders (soldiers, police, firefighters, etc.) The protection for the believer’s head is “the helmet of salvation.” Salvation is being saved from death and separation from God. The only way for us to have salvation is by placing our hearts in Jesus’ payment for our sin on the cross.
The Sword of Spirit: Which is the word of God. While all the other pieces of spiritual armor are defensive in nature, the sword of the spirit is the only offensive weapon in the armor of God. The word that God utters is powerful and active, sharper than a two-edged sword. Every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord strikes down the devil. Pray in spirit with all prayers and requests. Prayer completes our gospel armor.
We took precautions and protection to guard against the covid virus and its variants.
There’s something much more dangerous and deadly than a virus going around. As St. Peter puts it, “Be alert and sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. That’s more dangerous than the virus but I don’t think people are concerned about this threat as they are about the virus.
The Armor of God, described by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:10 -18, is our spiritual defense against attacks by Satan. Paul urges us to guard against “the schemes of the devil, and “the spiritual forces of the evil.
How can we do this?
Put on the Whole Armor of God. Let’s take a brief look at them:
The Belt of Truth: This is the first element of the armor of God. The soldiers’ belts or harnesses held all of their weapons and armor together. For the believer truth holds our spiritual armor together.
Remember- Satan is the father of lies. He disguises himself and manipulates your perspective.
He wants to destroy you, but he cannot stand against the truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6). If you want victory you need to know the truth and the truth begins by understanding who you are in Christ Jesus.
The Breastplate of Righteousness: The breastplate of righteousness guards our heart. A wound to the chest can be fatal. Without a solid breastplate, a soldier would easily be killed with one blow from the enemy’s sword or arrow. The breastplate protects the soldier’s heart and lungs.
Our heart is susceptible to the wickedness of this world, but our protection is the righteousness that comes from Jesus Christ. Being righteous is being right, perfect, or without sin. Jesus died to take away our sin. We put on the breastplate of righteousness when we put our faith in Jesus. Let it cover and protect you, keep your heart strong and pure for God: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Footwear of the Gospel of Peace: Boots protect soldiers from injuries on the battlefield. The Gospel of peace is our protection, reminding us that it is by grace that our souls are saved. Peace is needed for spiritual warfare. Satan wants to rob believers of peace by placing doubts in our minds. He knows if we doubt God’s power or promises, we will surely slip, and he will gain ground. We must remain firmly planted in the peace that Jesus gives us.
Shield of Faith: The Soldier’s shield is a defensive weapon that protects him from the enemy’s attack. If the enemy shoots arrows at him he holds the shield to keep the arrows from hitting his body. The Bible says that our shield of faith can put out the flaming arrows that the devil fires at us. Faith keeps us safe from all these attacks.
The Helmet of Salvation: The helmet is the most important piece of armor. A blow to the head will kill or disable the first responders (soldiers, police, firefighters, etc.) The protection for the believer’s head is “the helmet of salvation.” Salvation is being saved from death and separation from God. The only way for us to have salvation is by placing our hearts in Jesus’ payment for our sin on the cross.
The Sword of Spirit: Which is the word of God. While all the other pieces of spiritual armor are defensive in nature, the sword of the spirit is the only offensive weapon in the armor of God. The word that God utters is powerful and active, sharper than a two-edged sword. Every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord strikes down the devil. Pray in spirit with all prayers and requests. Prayer completes our gospel armor.
Prayer
Dear God thank you for showing us in your word, how to overcome our spiritual warfare. I pray that we would put on the armor and be able to stand firm. Help us to pray in spirit and remain grounded in your word. Thank you for being our strength and always being with us in our times of trial. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen
Thought of the day
Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power so we can stand against the devil’s plans.
Ms. Ria Roy
EPIPHANY MARTHOMA CHURCH, NEW YORK
Dear God thank you for showing us in your word, how to overcome our spiritual warfare. I pray that we would put on the armor and be able to stand firm. Help us to pray in spirit and remain grounded in your word. Thank you for being our strength and always being with us in our times of trial. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen
Thought of the day
Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power so we can stand against the devil’s plans.
Ms. Ria Roy
EPIPHANY MARTHOMA CHURCH, NEW YORK