PRAYER

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).

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

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!

HELMET OF SALVATION

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.

SHOES OF THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

REFERENCE: EPHESIANS 6:10 -19

PREPARATION REFERS TO READINESS

FEET ARE A SYMBOL FOR "THE WALK" OF A PERSON'S LIFE



The boots that Roman soldiers wore for battle were fitted with metal studs like the cleats on football players shoes. They were designed to stand/maintain ground in battle.

If your feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace you will have strength while spreading the Good News of Christ. Shoes allow us to step freely and without fear while spreading God's Word, which brings more peace to the world. As Christians we are called to go out and tell the world about Jesus. If we have our shoes on we are ready, prepared, and at peace to go out.

Preparation includes study and memorization of Scripture, and the ability to communicate intelligently the Gospel Message.

BELT OF TRUTH

The belt of truth is the first piece of equipment we are instructed to use. The belt stands for the truth of God's Word, the Holy Bible. Knowing the truth of God is essential for all believers in order to battle successfully against the devils schemes.

The belt held all the other equipment in place during a physical battle in ancient Roman. The same as the truth of God holds our spiritual weapons in place today.

As Christians we are to test all things and hold on to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21) -- the truth -- discarding all else.

The belt used in Roman armor held the soldier's sword. The belt of truth is needed in order for us to use our sword (the Word of God) effectively.

ARMOR FOR...? WHAT BATTLE!?!?

REFERENCE: Ephesians 6:10-19


Paul wrote a letter to the church at Ephesus to give them instruction while he was away. In his conclusion he commanded the church to put on he full armor of God.

We need this armor to fight the battle against Satan and his demons.

We are had pressed on every side, yet not crushed we are perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).



We as Christians are at war against the spiritual forces of wickedness. Whether we want to be in the battle or not, we do not have a choice. As Christians we are involved in a life and death struggle with a highly organized kingdom populated by evil, rebellious spirit beings, headquartered in the heavenly realm.

Satan is our enemy and he has waged war on God's kingdom for the souls of humanity. He tries to keep the unsaved blinded to God's Word and he tries to stop the work and progress of those of us already saved. 

And the battle ground is in the realm of the mind!

IMAGINATIONS
REASONING
SPECULATIONS                                   THE REALM OF THE MIND
ARGUMENTS
KNOWLEDGE
THOUGHTS

God tells us through His Word that this battle is real even though the battle is a spiritual war, taking place in the spiritual realm, which differs from our physical realm. However, much of the evil we see in the world is a direct result of this unseen war.

Since you are a part of this battle anyway, you should know how to use the armor of God. And just like Paul told the church of Ephesus, we must also put on the full armor of God.