For the past few weeks God has been speaking to me about Holy warfare. Holy warfare is not a political agenda; the location on any particular land, or country; Holy warfare is set on the battlefield of your own mind and circumstances.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” Ephesians 6:10
First, we must recognize that we cannot rely on our own strength and intelligence, but it is God’s power, intellect, and unfailing love for us that we must lean on. We cannot even begin to understand the infinite wisdom of God, or His ways with our mind. We must allow the Holy Spirit to instruct, chastise, and encourage so that we can become totally submitted and useable for His plans and purposes. Allowing ourselves to be led by the Spirit and not by our own passions and desires is the first step to becoming the warrior of God that He has called us all to be.
” Put on the whole armor 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.” Ephesians 6:11-12
Ask and Listen
So often we allow our personalities to conflict with others, we are hurt, or so angered by someone we want to strike back, get even, or crush the one who has seemingly rose up against us. We allow emotions to dictate our action and our words and push aside the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit urging us to pray. I am not saying to allow yourself to become a doormat, there is a time and place to make a stand against injustices, but what I am suggesting is that…first wait..LISTEN for the word of the Lord to speak into your heart and mind, ASK for direction and peace, and believe that no matter the outcome at that moment, God’s grace and power are sufficient to get you through ANYTHING.
At other times, we shut out a person who has hurt us, using silence and rejection as a wall of protection we raise up in our defense. But God wants to be your DEFENSE, your Protector. God never raises walls, but He IS our fortress. What is the difference? A wall blocks all light, entrance and exits. Imagine a room that only has 4 walls, no windows, no doors. Doesn’t that sound more like a prison? A wall is used to separate, to keep anything from going in, or going out; it not only prevents the bad, it also prohibits any good to penetrate.
But if we recognize that God is our fortress, our place of security, rescue, and safety; we have peace; even though we do not understand how we have it, we do.
Psalms 46:1-7
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Put on the Whole Armor of God
It is so important that we abide in Him, for it is a vital necessity for our success. When we hide ourselves IN HIM, and refrain from building our own defenses; we become mighty warriors for God. When we saturate ourselves with the His Word we are strengthened and nurtured with faith. Faith is a mighty resource! Without it, we cannot please God, we stumble, we are discouraged, and we fall into dangerous territories of our enemy, Satan. We are vulnerable to our own lusts and desires, and become open for attack.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor 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.” Ephesians 6:13-18
It is important to note that Paul instructs us to put on the WHOLE armor, not just an article or two. And after putting it on to stand! The term “Stand to” is often used in the Armed forces. It is the act of immediately occupying your assigned position to defend against an attack. Each soldier would be assigned a place around the perimeter of the army’s position. This was known as your “stand to” position and in the event of an attack this is where you would go. It is worthy of note that the soldier is not alone; just as we are not alone. The body of Christ is standing with you; each a different part of the body, but each is essential to success. No wonder Satan tries to bring division and confusion to the church body. For where there is division nothing will stand or be effective. When we become disgruntled with one another, we cannot see beyond the circumstance we strive to plead our causes, or exalt ourselves. We then become vulnerable to discouragement, frustration, disillusionment and anger.
Each piece of the armor is of vital importance; and strategy for our victory. His first instruction is…To STAND with our loins girt about with truth. Loins refer to the pelvic region of the body, which is very vulnerable. Girding the loins in the Roman era was a common practice not only for the Roman soldiers, but also for the people living in this area. It meant to draw-up and tie the lower garment between your legs to increase your mobility and agility. This prevented the loose ends of the tunic from becoming snagged or entangled with your feet which would cause you to stumble or fall down. Paul was telling us to secure anything that would cause us to stumble or fall down when moving quickly in the Christian daily battle. To be spiritually sharp and aware, alert, ready to respond with spiritual mobility and agility. The truth is God’s word; the battlefield is your mind. So when you are standing in the battlefield, draw-up from the word you have hid in your heart, so you are quick and agile in the battle to cast down any imagination or anything that would exalt itself against your knowledge in God.….”having on the breastplate of righteousness” the breastplate covered the body of the Roman soldier from the neck to the thighs. Its purpose was to protect the heart. Our focus must be on the Lord Jesus Christ and His righteousness, and that focus must be protected. When we receive Christ into our hearts, God counts us as righteous. However a soldier must PROTECT his heart. Protecting your heart is living righteously, with integrity, holiness and purity of life. Righteousness keeps the heart from ever being wounded and losing focus. The Christian soldier must strive after the righteousness of Jesus Christ and to live righteously in this present world. When we are clothed in righteousness we are impregnable.
Satan often attacks our hearts-the seat of our emotions, self-worth, and trust…God’s righteousness is the breastplate that protects our hearts and ensures approval, not man’s approval but His. He approves of us because He loves us and sent His Son to die for us. The lack of integrity or some defect in character will leave us exposed to the assaults of the enemy. A point of corruption in integrity or character flaw will be that unguarded point of attack by Satan or his demons. Just as a soldier’s breastplate protected his heart, chest and vital organs from an enemy’s attack, so holy and righteous living guards a believer’s heart against the assaults of the devil.
“Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 1 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:13-14
Then he instructs us to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; to me that means you are prepared to be a witness of Jesus everywhere you go. To walk in confidence of whom you are in Christ, and what He is able to do in not only your own life, but others. That God wants us to share the good news of salvation, and the hope of Jesus Christ. Again, this is emphasizing the importance of the Word of God.
Next, to take the shield of faith which enables us to “quench the fiery darts of the wicked” Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God. It is crucial to know God’s word in order to lift it up as a shield in an attack. If you do not know, or are unaware of your position you are vulnerable to attack and defeat in an area. God’s people perish for the lack of knowledge. Faith in God and His word over our lives is our defense, protection, and victory.
Next is the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. When our mind is covered with the blood of Jesus and the acceptance of Him into our heart and life by the Word of God we have heard to bring us to repentance, we are able to lift up His word in the stance of a warrior armed for battle. He has already gone before us, preparing a way of victory! Knowing this, as we face a trial, temptation, discouragement, attacks against us of any sort, GOD IS OUR REAR GUARD, and with God standing behind you protecting your position, what enemy could stand against you? In every part of the armor, God’s word is the substance.
Then Paul instructs us to PRAY always with all kinds of prayers and requests, not only for ourselves, but for all of His saints; His people.Prayer is vitally important; it is communication with the Father. He desires to speak with us; He wants us to call upon Him for; and in all things. He wants to speak personal things to us, He wants to deposit good things into our lives, and prepare us for what lies ahead. Prayer the atmosphere around you, prayer changes you.
When we come to the knowledge of God’s power and strength, when we become steadfast and determined to stand in the storms of life, when we acknowledge our weaknesses and frailty on our own might, but realize that through Christ we can do anything, when we rely on, and depend on Him that is when we become mighty warriors. That is when we become effective tools in the Kingdom of God; when we can be offensive warriors bringing light to a kingdom of darkness, and shining in the glory of our Savior. When we arm ourselves with His armor, and fight not against each other, but against those powers, principalities and ruler of darkness that come against us, and our loved ones with and by the WORD of God, we will be victorious, we will be strong, and we will be fulfilled.
He is Defeated Already
Sometimes the evidence of victory is not quickly accomplished, sometimes it appears that we have failed, or we have lost a battle; but the Lord would have you be encouraged in Him. You see, Jesus defeated the enemy already. The end for him has been already determined. Our enemy Satan wants to devour our faith with his lies and subterfuge, he wants to destroy our salvation, our witness, our hope, to weary us with struggles and temptations so that we are ineffective, unreliable, and even make us give up in defeat. BUT our God is our fortress, if we resist the temptation to build up a wall in defense, and run to our fortress the Lord; He will strengthen, protect, encourage and give us boldness. When our eyes are truly open to see, we will see that enemy defeated and the shining glory of the Lord’s victory surrounding us. His word in our hand, a mighty weapon; a weapon that defeats and destroys wickedness; yet brings healing and deliverance. His word dividing the evil intent of our own hearts, and delivering us from the evil one. Clothed in His armor of righteousness; standing firm in our faith, and waiting expectantly for God to move on our behalf we will be that armed and dangerous Army of the Living God.
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31