THE COMPLETE ARMOR OF GOD
Equip the body.
Win the battle.
Advance the kingdom.
Authority
Matthew 28:18-20 and John 14:10
The question of authority is a hot button topic during our time. Authority is challenged everywhere we turn – homes, schools, churches, community, government.
Authority is permission, the access or right to do something. In order to function every kingdom needs a king, every ship a captain, every business a boss, every school a principal, every team a coach, every home a head of household, every church a pastor, so on so forth. Without some form of central authority, society will crumble into chaos and anarchy.
Jesus puts us under His authority because He is Lord of all. Spiritual authority and power are obtained through submission to the lordship of Christ.
Are you willing to surrender to and obey?
The Holy Spirit
John 14:26 and Romans 14:17
The kingdom of God and the Holy Spirit are inseparable.
The Holy Spirit’s role in your life is that of transformation. God has to do work in you, before He can do work through you. He wants to change who you are from the inside out – your thoughts, your desires, your will, your relationships, your purpose. This transformation isn’t just for you, it’s so that the Lord can bear fruit through you, making you a good steward of His grace.
The Holy Spirit’s authority and power is the rule of God on earth through you, making the kingdom of God a spiritual reality in your life. It isn’t centered on external matters, but on your relationship with God and with others.
Prayer
Hebrews 6:19 and Matthew 6:5-15
Prayer is talking and communing with God, an open dialogue where we speak to God and listen to what He says. A life without prayer lacks spiritual activity.
Conversation is how relationships are formed. It’s also the way they’re lost. When you spend time with someone you love, you get to know them intimately. As you spend time with the Lord, whether a quiet space at home, driving to work, lying in bed, an evening walk, doing chores, running errands – speaking to Him and listening to what He has to say strengthens your relationship with Him.
You have access to the Father through Christ. He wants to grow in relationship with you. And you should want the same.
The Belt of Truth
John 14:6 and John 18:37
What is truth? Many today ask this same question Pilate asked Jesus, but from a different perspective; relative truth, absolute truth, objective truth, subjective truth, etc.
Truth is the first piece of armor and the most important. The belt of truth is a reminder that Jesus is the foundation as we enter into spiritual battles. He is the truth that stands against the lies, accusation, and deception of Satan. Winning your battle starts with a fight anchored in Biblical truth, a truth found in Jesus.
John 18:37-38
For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Romans 5:17 and Matthew 6:33
Righteousness is a choice, a fundamental choice you made when you first repented and became a Soldier for Christ. Every day since then, your Christian life reinforces that decision or denies it.
Our own righteousness is worthless in battle. We have no righteousness apart from that which has been given us by Christ. If you start to believe that your own righteousness, efforts, or good works can make you worthy of God’s protection, you are sadly mistaken. The advantage will quickly shift to benefit the enemy.
The Shoes with the Gospel of Peace
Romans 5:1 and Philippians 4:6-7
Peace is an awesome weapon! It enables you to smile in the face of intimidation or fear, because you are secure in what Jesus has done for you.
It’s important to remember that we are fighting a defeated foe. The perfect peace of Jesus will calm you in every circumstance, giving you the courage and strength for every challenge.
The battle for peace begins and ends in your mind – your thoughts. What you are thinking on, will determine what your feet are standing in.
Worldview
1 John 2:15-17 and Colossians 2:8
Our worldview defines what reality is. It is a set of assumptions that we hold, consciously or subconsciously, biased or unbiased, about the makeup of our world. Our worldview examines the nature of reality, through it we determine what’s real and what isn’t.
Our worldview paints a picture that we use to process visual and audible input received. Through this painting, we form an understanding of what has happened and why. Our worldview is mostly subconscious which makes it hard to identify because we assume that our perception of reality corresponds directly to that reality.
Do you have a biblical worldview? Because we filter biblical content through the ways in which we see the world.
The Shield of Faith
Hebrews 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 5:7
God is our shield, He is our refuge. You can’t rely on your own abilities during battle.
When you flee to Him and hide in Him, that’s what it means to walk by faith. You put trust in the one that protects you. When you walk in faith you’re saying God is trustworthy. Trusting in God’s power and protection is imperative in remaining steadfast. As the battle rages remember that God works all things for good. He is always true to His promises.
Helmet of Salvation
1 John 5:11-13 and Romans 12:2
The very moment you trusted Christ, when you gave your life to Him, the enemy placed a target on your back.
Our salvation, just like a helmet, needs to be fitted around your mind. If not, you’re opening yourself up to the world and fleshly desires. When you put on the helmet of salvation, you avoid sinful thoughts, abandon pleasures, possessions, and status.
Followers of Jesus don’t live how the rest of the world lives. We exercise self-discipline and self-control. We break free from the “me-first” pattern of the world. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we understand what God wants and know exactly how to live.
Sword of the Spirit
Hebrews 4:12 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God doesn’t want you to shoulder the burden. He wants you to rely on Him so you can overcome hardships and tribulation.
Paul tells us that the sword represents the Word of God, the written picture of Jesus. He is the living version of everything God wants to say to you.
God’s Word is a powerful weapon against the enemy when it’s used under the Spirit’s power and direction. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.