…be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10
This verse proceeds our instructions of putting on the full armor of God. Why? Because if you put on armor and then proceed to stand or fight in your natural strength (which is revealed as weakness against our true adversary— the devil) or understanding, you will be crushed. Yet, you were called to crush the head of the enemy through the power and might of God alone. Human zeal, fleshly justice, or trying to understand (discern) a situation apart from God will not be courageous but rather prove to be foolish.
One commentary says this,
Our natural courage is as perfect cowardice, and our natural strength as perfect weakness but all our sufficiency is of God.”
Earlier this week the Spirit of the Lord asked me to intercede for the all sufficiency of the Almighty to come upon His people. Self-sufficiency will not overcome the battles that come into the life of every believer. Your life, your testimony, your salvation, your prayers and your praise is an incredible threat to the enemy’s camp and he will do whatever he can to shut you down, turn you back and cause you harm.
This is why we need the power and might of the Lord. His power and might are your greatest strength. His power and might can slay giants and overcome enemies that seem too powerful for you to defeat. The Lord wants you to be wise as you face these enemies. To face them in your own strength will exhaust you and bring harm to you. You must lay down all self-sufficiency and receive His all-sufficient power and might.
Ephesians 6:11-18 goes on to further reveal how you can clothe yourself in Christ (His armor)— and fully rely on His all sufficiency— His power and might.
The Helmet of Salvation:
Did you know that the helmet of salvation not only guards your mind and the truth of Christ that you walk in but also protects and provides that all of the graces and heavenly blessings given to you through salvation are secured. It guards all of those amazing graces poured out upon you as a son or daughter of God.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transformation happens as we wear this helmet of salvation— which is our eternal hope.
Salvation comes by grace and also provides us with graces or promises that are bestowed upon every believer. There are Heavenly blessings and riches that the sons and daughters of salvation receive. The enemy is a thief and desires to rob you of these precious promises, graces, and blessings. By securing the helmet of salvation upon your head and keeping your mind renewed— you are kept from the wiles of the enemy that would allure you into deception.
The grace that was offered to bring you eternal salvation through Jesus Christ is not a one-time ticket to salvation, but it gives you ongoing access to God and all of His benefits and blessings.
Many allow their minds to be deceived into believing that God does not keep His promises, causing them to take off the helmet and allowing their minds to believe accusations and distorting their image of Him. You must keep your salvation on like a helmet that is protecting your very life.
The Belt of Truth:
In Biblical times men wore tunics and a belt (or girdle) so that when it was time to work or war, they would tuck their tunics into the belt in order to allow their legs to move freely (unobstructed). God’s truth (Word and revelation) is what you use to live a life unobstructed by lies.
The enemy is a deceiver and desires to alter men’s image of God. He is an accuser who desires to accuse the saints. You must tuck all vain imaginations and carnal thinking into the belt of truth that keeps us from stumbling.
Truth will keep you from stumbling!
The Breastplate of Righteousness:
A breastplate protects your vital organs in life and in battle. The blood of Jesus has purified your heart, but the enemy would love to harm your heart— causing it to become hardened, wounded, offended, and exposed to his fiery arrows.
The breastplate of righteousness is to put on the righteousness of Christ. There is power and authority in righteousness, as it gives victory in battles. Righteousness also keeps you near to God— just as unrighteousness (sin) creates a separation in hearts. People tend to hide from God (as Adam and Eve did when sin was brought into their lives through disobedience)when sin is present. His breastplate also keeps you safe from sin and helps you to resist temptation.
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace:
Your feet are the beautiful feet that bring the gospel of peace to a lost world. The gospel of peace are the shoes that you are to wear so that you are always ready to release truth and the peace of Christ wherever you go.
In a world filled with chaos and confusion, Jesus is the only true answer and His peace is an eternal peace. It is what we need to have peace and to bring peace to troubled and fearful hearts.
John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Shoes also protect your beautiful feet from pain and harm— thorns and rocks. Warriors in Biblical times wore iron shoes that could crush the head of their enemies and prevent them from harm. Having our feet shod with peace keeps us from sudden reactions and keeps us grounded and standing firm on the Rock of Christ.
The Sword of the Spirit:
You must remember to pick up the sword of the Spirit each day— this is the Word of God. But a dull sword is useless in battle; therefore, it is important to keep your sword sharpened though picking up the Word and sharpening your life with its truths and wisdom.
This weapon is an offensive weapon— putting enemies in a defensive position.
As you study and learn the Word of God, you will begin to believe it and apply it to your life. This makes your very life a sharp sword. You can declare it over your life and your family. It has the ability to pierce through your enemy with accuracy and precision. It also can pierce the darkness that seeks to blind you.
The Shield of Faith:
Ephesians 6:16 says that the shield of faith extinguishes the fiery darts (arrows) of the evil one.
The enemy continuously shoots fiery arrows at God’s people— hoping to find an exposed area that has not been protected by His armor.
This shield of faith keeps us in the faith by which we are saved. We remain under the protection and truth of Christ. It keeps us from the fiery darts of temptation, accusations, sin, deception, etc.
It can be likened to the “Shadow of His Wing” that you read of in Psalm 91. This amazing piece of your armor is literally God’s protection over you. I often hold it up over my family as well— to see the fiery darts aimed at them extinguished.
So Saints— be strong in the Lord and put on His powerful and mighty armor to give you a life of victories.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Inscribe Ministries
Featured Image by Joshua Hanks on Unsplash
[…] Open the full article on the kingdomwinds.com site […]