PRAYER - being watchful to this end with all perseverance..
REFERENCE: Ephesians 6:10-19
- Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. (Matthew 26:41)
- Take ye head, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. (Mark 13:33)
- Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
-Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
If we equip ourselves with the armor of God, it is still imperative that we keep an ongoing connection to Him through prayer. We are to pray continuously and without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) so we can develop and maintain a connection with God.
Since we don't know how to pray as we should, we should always pray in the Spirit, so the Holy Spirit of God can make intercession for us (Romans 8:26).
REFERENCE: EPHESIANS 6:10-19
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT = WORD OF GOD
The world is subject to God's Word.
We should become experts in handling our swords. train for battle by reading, understanding, studying and committing to memory, the Word of God.
The sword is a defensive weapon, able to deflect the blows of the enemy. But it is also the only offensive weapon, capable of inflicting blows on the enemy.
The Word of God is "living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit." (Hebrews 4 12-13) Even Jesus used the Word of God against Satan (ref. Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). The all-powerful Word of God is able to cut through any and every thing the enemy has. When he Word is yielded by a servant of God, nothing can withstand its ability to cut straight to the core of a matter.
When you take the Scripture in your mouth and quote it directly, then it becomes a sword of the Spirit. When we take the sword in faith, then the Holy Spirit gives us the power and the wisdom to use it.
DON'T LET YOUR SWORD GET RUSTY AND DULL FROM UNUSE!
REFERENCE: EPHESIANS 6 10-19
Satan works to capture your mind. The actions of the body start from the mind. So your head is the prime target in warfare. If Satan can corrupt your mind, fill it with unbelief, and sinful thoughts, he can redirect you from the way of the Lord. So, in effect, we are talking about a helmet that protects our minds.
The protection for the heart is faith. The protection for the head is hope; hope in Christ. Hope is a steady expectation of good based on the promises of God's Word.
We are to cover our minds with the salvation of Christ, setting our minds on things eternal, not worldly. Satans blows to the head are to affect the believers security and assurance in Christ. Hope is an optimistic attitude that always chooses to see the best and will not give way to depression, doubt, and self pity.
"And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
We can receive tremendous hope and comfort if we focus on Christ's ultimare sacrifice for us that we are saved and now have an eternal home in the kingdom of heaven. This hope works like a helmet to protect our minds from the discouragement and despair in this world.
REFERENCE: EPHESIANS 6:10-19
A shield protects. So as a physical shield protects physically, the shield of fait protects us spiritually, even in the midst of trials.
Faith in the Blood of Jesus is our first defensive shield against the accuser of the bretheren (Zechariah 3:1-5).
Faith in Jesus Christ is our shield against the attacks of the enemy. When he tries to put doubt and unbelief, worry and anxiety in our minds, we can block it with our shield of faith! We must know the promises of God, which will increase our faith. Every flaming arrow of doubt, pride, despair, depressions, hatred, and fear from the enemy is to try to drive a wedge between the saints of God and the Savior.
When Satan tries to attach our minds, our hearts, our bodies and our finances, we need to have a shield that covers us. That is our faith/hope in God and all of His promises to us. Satan will attach any area he can reach and if he can't get to you, he will try your spouse, if you're married, and your children if you are a parent. You MUST have a shield big enough to protect everything that God has made you responsible for, including yourself, your family, your home, your finances, and everything God has committed to you.
