Equipped to Stand
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. – Ephesians 6:11 NKJV
How does it make you feel when you think about someone manipulating circumstances in your life in an attempt to undermine every good thing you are trying to accomplish? I don’t know about you, but it makes me mad just thinking about it. Did you realize this very thing is happening in the spiritual realm all of the time? Satan is hard at work trying to get back at God for throwing him out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15) and Satan is trying to hurt God by “hitting” Him where it would hurt the most – through the people God loves…His children, you and me.
Have you felt defeated by self-doubt and guilt even when you have no apparent relevant sin in your life to cause you to feel this way? Guess who is probably the culprit? Satan, the accuser (Rev 12:10). Have you suddenly for no reason seen a good situation as bad because your emotions have taken control and affected your objectivity? Maybe Satan, the father of lies is responsible (John 8:44). Is something you’d previously rejected as “evil” suddenly appearing good to you? Are you overwhelmed with busyness in your life without having time to concentrate on the things of utmost importance to God? Perhaps that tricky little devil is being that “angel of light” again (2 Cor 11:14). Satan is a wily creature, and in my opinion the most intelligently dangerous being around. Just as God does, Satan also has a will for our lives (2 Tim 2:24-26), only with Satan, his will is not for our own good, but to fulfill his ultimate plan in defeating God.
Fortunately, God will not lose to and has not lost to Satan. He is bigger than that slippery serpent (1 John 4:4), and God has given us the tools to defeat our wily adversary. All we have to do is take advantage of those tools, God’s armor, and we will get the victory. Guaranteed. We can be equipped to accomplish all that God has for us to do because the Bible says that
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
When we put on that full armor of God (Eph 6:14-18) we can stand against Satan and get the victory. Do you want to live the life God intended you to live? Are you thoroughly equipped? Are you using the whole armor of God? If you aren’t using the whole armor of God (the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword (scripture) of the Spirit), what can you do today to learn how to use just one more piece for God’s glory? We can’t forget even one piece of our armor. Our enemy is too strong. We need all the help we can get. And most importantly, we can be equipped to stand.
Note: This post was not inspired by a single event in my life or in another’s around me, but merely by my continued heartfelt desire for all men and women of God to become all that they were intended to be. While I do not believe that every struggle is caused by spiritual warfare, I am painfully aware that it does exist. Please know also that I am not intending to be “preachy” in any way with my questions, but that I believe with my whole heart that when we become Christians, we have been given the key to a successful and rewarding life (Joshua 1:8) through the power of God’s word being actively applied to our lives. More Christians than we would like to admit, do not access this key. My prayer is that through my questions, more people may be encouraged to inspire others to delve into God’s Word more frequently.
Awesome Janna! This is exactly what has been on my mind and I love how you are able to get right to the heart of it through God’s Word. Last week I wasn’t going to return to a Bible study that had ‘triggered’ an episode in my sometimes fragile psyche…but instead of closing myself off, I reached out and was able to have someone help me ‘re-position’ my armor. I returned to the Bible study last evening and learned much that strengthened my faith walk….score…..God 1….Satan 0. But Satan was close. It took the encouragement of a fellow Christian….the body of Christ…to keep Satan at bay. This is so important also. We not only need the Word of God but we also need each other. Thanks again Janna for a wonderful post that provides a great learning tool and example as to how and why we need to ‘delve into God’s Word’. You rock 😉
Great point, Danielle, about how we also need our fellow Christians on this journey to “re-position” our armor. I remember thinking that – the fellow Christians part – as I wrote the post, but then got all caught up in calling Satan names, etc. 🙂
Thanks for your insights!
So wonderful message you share with me. Though I read it many times, but still have to keep it in my heart every minutes. Because every second, the Satan search the chance to attack us.
I still remember that before I told my shepherd” Why does Satan attcak me more when I feel that I am closer with God.” The answer is that Satan never attack those whose lives are useless…Because we are the Lord’s beloved Children, so the Satan want to attack us to attack the Lord. Thank the Lord, though he allow satan’s attacks, he also give us the whole armor to fight back Satan…The Lord is the final winner…we are the winners…
Janna,
We can’t forget even one piece of our armor. Our enemy is too strong. We need all the help we can get. And most importantly, we can be equipped to stand.
Wow, I am needed a refocus on my armor. This post caused me to look to see what is missing. Excellent!!
Wonderful post, such a blessing. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing such a powerful post about the armour of God.
Just studied Ephesian in the spring and I can remember how “convicted” I was that I need to be fully dressed everyday for battle. It’s now several months later and I often run out the door half dressed!! Thanks for the reminder Janna! I’m going back to read my notes and to remind myself of those pieces of armor that I consistly forget….blessings…
Dear Janna,
You are never preachy! Instead you offer wise counsel from the word of God. Thank you for the reminder on the many ways that the enemy of our souls seeks to discourage us and make us feel defeated. We are equipped in Christ alone.
Thank you dear one! Lord bless…may we all be strong in Christ alone.
Susan
Hm – this is the second time within 48 hours that I hear/read the Scripture passage of Ephesians 6…I think Someone wants to get my attention.
Thank you, Janna for the timely post on the amour of God. We need every single piece of it.