But the subject of this is a direct result of what has been going on with me this past week. And by the looks of things it may be 2 weeks worth of reading rolled into one!
For any of you who may not think Satan is real, that the devil is just an idea or a caricature with horns, a tail and a pitch fork, read your bible.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
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. Ephesians 6:12
He is as real today as the slippery serpent in the garden of Eden. Genesis 3
And from that very first encounter...he didn't strike when things were difficult or chaotic or people were in despair. Things were good, Adam and Eve were in the beautiful garden, they had everything the could need, they had open communication with God. Satan does not like it when things are going well...when we are in a right relationship with our God.
So he begins to look for breakpoints in our armor.
Now don't jump right to the mind set..."so every time things are going well I will just wait for Satan to attack...just wait for it to go wrong" because that is just the mind set that puts that chink in your armor and gives Satan an "in".
Don't let this sound overwhelming or scary...we have hope! We have a God who has given us all we need stand firm against this devil...
Put on all of God's armor...
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17
I just heard Pricilla Shirer speak about the belt of truth being the first part of the armor..and it makes sense...God's truth..the truth about who Christ is and what He did for us is our salvation, when we believe it. It is the helmet of salvation that covers us. We need to put on the breast plate of righteousness ..doing right...not "I am right you are wrong"..but Christ's right. It covers our hearts..directs our motives. The shield of faith protects us...it is in our hand because it is moving and fluid...it shields us from the devils flaming arrows...no matter which direction they come from..our strong faith protects. Our sword goes before us and gives us a direction and an aim in battle! A sword is held in your hand...it can not do any good out of your hand. Just as the Word of God must be a part of us, in our hand, and mind and hearts.
Once you believe the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done for you...and you have His salvation ..you receive His Holy Spirit ...
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— John 14:16
And the Holy Spirit fights for you...intercedes for you!
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
I didn't forget the shoes...shoes of readiness...readiness that comes from the gospel of PEACE..isn't that what we desire? Peace...God's peace....in our hearts and in our lives!
So are you ready?!
Ready to step forward into battle?
Okay!
Hit...the ....ground....
...on your face!!!
Not what you expected...maybe "CHARGE" or " hit the ground running!"
No...the next verse after all the armor is PRAY.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. . Ephesians 6:18
That is the battlefield!
I have been in battle...more strongly recently than I have in a long time....and so have many around me.
It can be overwhelming, discouraging, exhausting, frightening...all the things Satan wants it to be.
First of all, I look at it this way...something must have Satan scared to step up his game like this. People are drawing closer to God, building a stronger relationship in Him, following in His direction. And people must be strapping on the Armor for Satan to be shooting arrows looking for holes, chinks or weak spots. And part of this past week's battle is that Satan has found some holes and was having a field day.
I heard something a long time ago and I come back to it often..."Satan only has as much power as WE allow him"
Satan is NOT God...or equal to God. He is not all knowing or all powerful, only God is. But Satan sees only what we reveal.
"I am not good enough to do that." I am not worthy of this persons love...or Gods love"
"They really hurt me, I am justified in my anger" "they lied..I can't trust them"
And many more....that Satan will pick up and run with.
Just a FEW examples;
Satan's lie:
" I am not good enough"...he wants to keep that up, build on it...to keep you from stepping out in faith, fulfilling God's plan for you.
God's truth:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Satan's lie:
"I am not worthy of love, even God's love." if he perpetuates this lie he can keep you from knowing the power of God's love.
God's truth:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17
Satan's lies:
"They really hurt me, I can not ever forgive them." "They lied I can not trust them ever again."
God's truth:
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Matthew 11:25
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22
Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” Luke 17:4
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
If you are feeling beaten down, or distant from God. You need to search God's word, spend time there and find His truth. Recognized the need to do battle with the Great Deceiver. God's word will tell you if it is Satan attacking and trying to get you to believe his lies. I understand "life happens" but we must remember... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:7-11
Sin entered this world from the very beginning with the lies of Satan, and he will continue those lies as long as he can steal and destroy the things in this life that draw us closer to God.
Let's not give him that satisfaction!...let's suit up and get ready to battle!
Every morning gird yourself in God's Truth! Claim your Salvation! Cover your heart in Righteousness! Shield yourself in your Faith! Grab your Word of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to do battle for you! And Step onto the battle field.....and PRAY! When we are this prepared Satan doesn't stand a chance!
that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
AND don't be discouraged...we have a God who has already won the War! Trust in Him and His word and you will win this battle, and any more that come!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
No comments:
Post a Comment