I usually post in the mornings but today has been one distraction after another. My car had to go 2 hours away for a dealer to fix the “recall” issues on it. My poor servicer’s response to any question posed was “I have to find out for you”. Anyway, that was five hours spent to end up with “we have to have a project manager look at the car to determine what to do”. No use complaining right? I know, rambling again!
So let us look at what Paul says we must have or wear for the battle ever before us. Once you see that the real world is this unseen world, and every issue you have stems from here, you have to realize the weapons you have learned to use in the physical world will not work for you in this realm. Paul says to put on all of these—-not one, two or a few of these as gear. All of them must be on your person for your life’s duration.
The first piece of armor is the belt of truth. Truth will cover your loins (that is your region of sextual organs, the source of erotic or procreative power). What comes to mind here are the strong erotic sextual thoughts that land in the mind from time to time. Pornography, human trafficking, prostitution, adultery and fornication are only the tip of the iceberg used by the enemy to cripple our society. The enemy knows how human can be bound using sexuality. The word of God delves into what is clean and unclean sextually, so be fortified with that information.
The second piece consists of your preparation of the gospel of peace that you move in. Simply put, wherever you may go, always study and be prepared to speak the word. Season your speech with the word of God. At times it may be to inform, and at others it will be for your defense. Nothing is more powerful than the word of God, no matter what it looks like. Be prepared.
The third piece, the most important piece, is your shield made up of your faith. You will put out all fires ignited against you, all fiery darts (missiles)aimed to take your faith down. Know instead of ignore your weaknesses, your vulnerabilities. Face them. There is nothing worse than being hit on your blind side. The enemy is not playing patty cake with you– he has come to steal, kill and destroy. That is his end game.
Fourth, the helmet. A helmet is used to reduce the risk of serious injuries or death. Helmets absorb any impact when you are hit, they protect the brain from trauma. Yes, the snicky devil will traumatize you to stop you. How often do we hear these days how trauma has highjacked people’s lives. It even leaves some damaged beyond repair for life (mental well- being). So, what you think is paramount in the battlefield, you have to know who you are. Our salvation gave us a new identity. This is what we pull out to absorb the nonsense that is thrown at us to get us off balance; to manipulate us, or to make us delusional. Your identity has to be intact at all times, at all times know who you are!
Sixth is the one weapon we wield fiercely, our sword of the Spirit. What is this powerful weapon that is quick, powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart? The Word of God. It cuts those unseen enemies that dare attack you.
I had always wondered if speaking the word hit its target. I now see that it does every time, quick, power -filled, and sharply. These enemies hurt like I do – how satisfying!
From just the effort and admonition that Paul sees fit to prefix the identity of these enemies; we have to emphasize the importance of learning all we can about these enemies.
Next, we will look at who the principalities are and their function.
Problem: no armor on, or how is it on?
Solution: know each part, secure it on your person
See you on the next post!
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