THE ARMOR OF GOD

For the Standing Man and Standing Woman

The battle is not with one another.  It is with the cosmic powers of evil that are over this present darkness.  God’s people are called to prepare, putting on the armor of God, so that we might STAND FIRM in the days to come.

What better time than Advent, as we prepare the way for Lord, to also prepare ourselves for the battle that will ensue at His coming.  Our call is to put on armor to protect us from the schemes of the devil, not gather an arsenal of weapons.  The battle is His, not ours; but we must be ready to protect ourselves from the powers of evil that run rampant in this world.

We are to fasten on us the belt of truth.  This is not the time for opinions or half baked ideas.  We need to stand strong in what we know to be true.  There are too many voices proclaiming words and ideas that may sounds good.  But it is truth that is needed; God’s Truth that He has revealed to us since the beginning of time; the truth that does not change with the times. Jesus said “I am the Truth” and that is what we have to fasten around us and not waiver.

We need to put on the breastplate of righteousness, right living.  God has shown us again and again what He expects of us and we must do as He says in order to protect our hearts from becoming distracted, cold, and hardened.

We will love the lord with all our mind, heart, and soul and be kept safe in His love.

We need to be ready to share the Gospel of peace, the work of Jesus Christ that reconciled us to God and freed us from sin.  In Him is peace, the only true way to peace of the mind, heart, and soul.  True peace will come no other way, and the world must hear that message from those who have experienced it.

We need to take up the shield of faith, especially in this world of logic, reasoning, and unbelief.  We cannot depend on our senses. We need to be people who look above and beyond what is in front of us.  There we will see God.

We need to take the helmet of salvation and put it on our head.  Our minds must be full of God and all He has done and continues to do for us as His children.  We must understand the depths of His love for us that caused Him to send His Son to earth, to live, die, and be raised from the dead for us.

We need to read, study, and know the Bible that contains the words of God centering on the Word of God, Jesus Christ.  The words are powerful and able to correct, reprove, and instruct us in righteousness, and most important point and lead us to the Word of God, Jesus Christ Himself.  This sword of the Spirit is the only weapon of offense and to be used only by the Holy Spirit by the words that we speak.

We are to keep alert and pray at all times.  This keeps us in tune with God’s will and ways so that we are not caught asleep or of guard.

The battle is not with one another.  It is with the cosmic powers of evil that are over this present darkness.  Thankfully we have the advantage.  God is fighting for us and we already know how it all turns out in the end.  But for now we must stand tall and walk through it, dressed in our armor and in the absolute knowledge that God is our God.