Sunday 8 February 2015

THE BELIEVER’S ARMOUR




THE BELIEVER’S ARMOUR
EPHESIANS 6:10-18

The Bible says we must fight the good fight of faith. The Christian race is a battle, it is warfare. As soldiers of Christ, we must equip ourselves with the spiritual weapons of warfare, in order to secure victory.
Victory in Christ is not secured on a platter of gold, the road to victory is full of trials temptations, tribulations, denials, persecution… (Acts 14:22).
Because we wrestle not against flesh and blood, our weapons must not be carnal, neither can we depend on tangible objects (2 Cor. 10:3-5).
Apostle Paul admonished us (Ephesians 6:12), to take up the full armour of God, so that we can stand firm against all the strategies (devices) of the devil.
Apostle Paul rightly sensed that wherever there was tremendous ministerial breakthrough, there seemed to be a high level of opposition and persecution of the Way (Acts 19).
As believers and children of God, we are soldiers of Christ (2 Tim. 2:3-4).
Armour - a protective covering that is used to prevent damage from being inflicted to an individual, object, etc….

What are the elements of the full armour of God?
1. Truth: Having your loins (waist) girded with the truth. The Word of God is the truth (John 17:17). We need to be established in the truth of God’s Word, so that we won’t be tossed around by every wind of doctrine.
2. Righteousness: It’s called the breastplate of righteousness. (It is simply God’s approval, not obtained by the works of men, but the righteousness of Christ, imputed upon us by God, received by faith). Through this, we have right-standing before God and men. Consequently, our hearts are guarded against the accusation and charges of the devil (Isaiah 59:17; 2 Cor. 5:21).
3. The Gospel of peace: As Christians, we are treading on a narrow path, which is filled with thorns and other dangerous elements. We must always put on our spiritual footwear, which is the Gospel of peace. This involves soul winning; reaching out to a lost world with the good news (Isaiah 52:7).
4. The shield of Faith: More than any other thing, the devil desires to suppress and kill our faith. Through the shield of faith (whose Author and Finisher is Christ), we extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one, such as unbelief, immorality, hatred, anger, covetousness, pride, envy, fear, despair, etc (1 John 5:4-5).
5. The helmet of Salvation: This involves working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Put on your spiritual helmet always! (Matt. 24:13; Hebrews 3:14).
6. The sword of the Spirit: This is the Word of God. It is offensive in nature. It is alive (it also quickens), powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12-13). The Word of God makes you wiser than the enemy (Psalm 119:98). The Word of God must become your sword of the Spirit; it must become your sword of excellency; it must become the Word of your testimony.
7. Prayer (praying in the Spirit): This is praying according to the will of God (Rom. 8:26-27). Prayer is the means through which we draw spiritual strength from God.
This also involves intercessory prayer. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16).
Pray without ceasing (Luke 18:1-7; 1 Thess. 5:17).
Watch and pray (Matt. 26:41).
Brethren, it’s time to rise up! Let’s put this formidable spiritual skillset to use as we continually advance the kingdom of God and put the devil to flight…



PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA
      Resident  Pastor
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