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March 1998
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We as Christians are bound to face struggles in our life such as conflict in relationships,
financial pressures, time demands, illness, personality conflicts, job loss, or even death.
In these and other situations we are to draw nearer to God and wait on Him.
However, the enemy would have us do just
the opposite: to complain and run away from God.
The Bible urges us to realize that God is certainly never to blame for anything, for God
is "perfect and blameless" and everything He does is "good"
(Genesis 1:31).
By waiting upon the Lord, he will renew our
strength so we will mount up with wings as eagles, so we will run and not be weary, and so we will walk and
not faint. (Isaiah 40:31). You see an eagle uses storms for his benefit. He carefully discerns
the strong wind patterns and gains their advantage so he actually soars to greater heights. We as Christians need
to learn from the eagle's example. We need to use trials and tribulations to our advantage. We
need to recognize where the storms are coming from and why they are occuring so we can soar
over them and achieve patience and
spiritual growth.
We need to recognize that as joint-heirs with
Christ,
"All things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28
). By being tested and tried,
we enter into a deeper walk and relationship with the Lord.
We also need to recognize that ultimately people are not our enemy either, but sin and
Satan are. John 10:10 says that "the thief
(Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; but Jesus came
so that we might have life and have it more abundantly."
Certainly there is a place for human responsibility; God has given us a free will to make our
own choices whether they be good or bad. It is important to note that many of the problems
we face today are a result of our own doing. We do not always follow
Galatians 5:16
as a guideline which tells us to walk in the Spirit. As a result,
the lusts of the flesh (greed, selfishness, lust, pride, etc.) often take over due to our
inherited sinful nature.
However, (Romans 13:12) tells us to put on our spiritual "armor of light"
so we can stand up to the onslaught of these powerful adversaries which try to influence us. We must fight principalities on our
own turf -- by walking in the Spirit on the spiritual level -- with weapons appropriate to the conflict.
Peter tells us in I Peter 5:8 that we must "be sober (not intoxicated), be vigilant (alert), because
your adversary the devil, walketh about, as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
You see the devil is very cunning. He will use FEAR (false evidence appearing real) to
combat against our FAITH (forsaking all, I trust Him [Jesus]). If the devil who acts
as a roaring lion (but of course he is only pretending to be) can get our faith to waver,
he gains temporary victory in our lives. For the Bible says in Romans 14:23 that "whatsoever is
not of faith is sin."
However, Romans 10:17 says that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by
the Word of God. Thus by reading the Word of God (the Bible), we can increase our faith.
This, in turn,
will enlighten us to the devil's schemes and storms. For "faith works in love (Galatians 5:6) and "perfect love
casteth out all fear" (I John 1:18). Thus faith casts out fear!
The Bible mentions in John 8:44 that the devil is "the father of all lies and that there
is no truth in him." You see, Satan uses deception and darkness to confuse the believer.
Jesus, on the other hand, uses truth and light to direct us and guide us. Jesus is "the Word" (John 1:1) and He is "the Way, the
Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6). By reading and meditating on the Word of God, the clouds
of deception are removed, and we see the light!
God has graciously given us spiritual weapons and spiritual armor so we
can see the light and combat this "roaring lion." Paul writes in II Corinthians 10:4 that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strongholds." Furthermore, II Corinthians 10:5 says, "Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought unto the
obedience of Christ."
We cannot fight the  in the flesh! |
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We cannot fight the devil in the flesh,
but we can in the spirit! By praying and reading the Bible daily,
we not only can bring every thought into the captivity of the knowledge of the Word of God
that we have within us, but we can also become mighty warriors for
the Kingdom of God!
James 5:7 says "Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you." By putting on our spiritual armaments, we are submitting ourselves
to God. Thus if we submit ourselves to God, the devil will then flee from us. For the Bible says
in II Peter 2:9 that "the Lord knoweth how to
deliver the godly out of temptations."
Therefore the victory is ours when the battle is the Lord's! The battle is the Lord's when we abide in His
Word. When we abide in God's Word, "we shall know the truth, and the truth shall make us
free!" (John 8:31-32).
As you are reading this teaching, you might be asking yourself, "Where does the Bible
mention spiritual armor and spiritual weapons?" Well, the apostle Paul write to
the church of Ephesus in Ephesians 6:10-18
to: "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His
might. Put on the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in
high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth, and having on
the breastplate of righteousness.
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Above all, taking the shield
of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in
the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
In the passage above, Paul mentions two spiritual weapons and five pieces of spiritual
armor that God has given us
so we can stand against the devil. The sword and prayer (considered the two offensive weapons)
are often used as defensive weapons however. Offensive weapons are needed for an invasion, but defensive
weapons are used by warriors to defend conquered ground. Satan has been driven out already,
and God has given you the territory. The battle is over and the victory is won.
God has called His children to liberty. Hold your ground. God does not ask you and me
to invade any territory for Him or march into new grounds. The ground is yours;
all you have to do is stand fast and hold it. Don't let the enemy intimidate
you or steal from you. Jesus Christ gained the victory, and all you have to do
is maintain it.
Jesus died so we wouldn't have to be afraid and run from difficult situations. The spiritual armor (mentioned in Ephesians 6)
God has provided us can help us withstand all the fiery darts of the enemy. However, there is no armor
for the backside, which means God never intended for us to run from the enemy! So choose to be bold and fight. Hold
your ground saints!
Below is a summary of each of the seven armaments:
By learning to wear and wield these powerful armaments, we can resist the carefully
laid plans of the devil and, when the fight is over, still be standing.
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This teaching was written by David Holt Boshart, Jr.
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