Armor of God

The Christian Soldier Ephesians 6:10-19 Rev. Esther R. Scott-New Birth Ministries 3/18/09 I. Be strong in the Lord. A. How do we get spiritual power? Fasting and praying, (vs. 5:19,6:18, Matthew 17:20-21.) B. Vs 11: God is your strength against the wiles of the devil. A beguiling trick entended to ensnare. Beguiling behavior. 1. 'Wile' E. Coyote on the cartoon, always had methods, antics and corny schemes to try to get the Roadrunner. So does the devil always have antics for you. 2. 2 Thess. 2:9 satan's wiles. Satan's powers, lying wonders. Deceit. Unrighteousness. God's Word is despised. a. God will destroy this evil with His overpowering presence. 2:8 C. Spiritual Warfare: Every day that we arise spirits are wrestling with us. This means that they are trying to 'hinder' us from getting anything done.. .correctly. If you could see what you are battling hi the spiritual realm, you'd pass out. Those ugly demons are t rying to kill you because if you've accepted Jesus as your Savior, you have favor in Him. They lost theirs! They absolutely hate us. We have what they used to have. Heaven, beauty and life more abundantly. 1. Principalities: "A state/country ruled by a Prince." (Demons.) a. Daniel 10:12-13 -Prince of Persia (old Iran) wrestled the angel that was delivering the answers to Daniel's prayers. 21 days! (Iraq is Babylon.) b. Ephesians 2:2 satan is called "The Prince of the Power of the Air." The spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. 2. Powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, wickedness in high places. a. There are evil spirits even in our governments. There are things going on that would shock us if we found out about them. Demons ruling over armies. Soon to battle Israel in unison. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for Israel. D. The Armor: 1. Stand with your girdle of truth around your loins. Loins are usually the sign of life. Your private area. Life force. Regarded as the seat of strength and generative power. Let your life force be driven by God's truth. Don't let the devil speak to your loins. He's a deceiver. Guard your future! Do things in your life God's way and you can't lose. Girdles squeeze. Be full of truth so that when you are under the "squeeze" (pressure,) you blurt out only truth. Truth sets people free. "My body is a temple of the Lord."2. Breastplate of righteousness: The breastplate guards your heart. Watch for wickedness of the heart. Evil intent. Lies. Bewitchment. "Oh foolish Galatians! Who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" Many new generations have been born out of sad, deceived hearts. a. Adam and Eve didn't guard their hearts and satan brought murder, envy and jealousy into their lives. They listened to that "unrighteous whisper." Who are you listening to? b. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What are you speaking? 3. New gospel shoes: Have your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. a. Shod: 1. To furnish with a shoe or shoes; to put a shoe or shoes on; as, to shoe a horse, a sled, an anchor. 2. To protect or ornament with something which serves the purpose of a shoe; to tip. Protect your feet with Peace. Jehovah Shalom. Let Peace follow you wherever you go. Walk ye therefore in it. Satan should be the only hell-raiser. 4. The shield of Faith: Shields guard you from all of the fiery darts of the wicked that come your way each day. They are movable by our hands and arms. How you move them and how resilient you are to the enemy's attacks depends on how well you study the Word of God. 5. The Helmet of Salvation: It covers your head. Keeps you from "stinkin' thinkin'". This helmet keeps your mind from hearing the whispers of the enemy. Keeps the good thoughts in and the bad ones out. It stops the pressure from the outside world from squeezing your brain. Keeps your head intact. If you happen to wreck or something wrecks into you, your head and mind is saved. Occupational hazards hi life. That happens being a Christian. 6. The Sword of the Spirit: The Mighty, Protective, Loving, Chastizing, Correcting, Wise Word of God. A. Read the Word on a daily basis until scripture automatically flows out of your mouth and you understand what you are saying. Pop off the Word of God like an Uzi pops off bullets. Every time the devil approaches you with something you can say, (Pow!) "But it is written!" Punch the devil in the eye with the Word. 7. Praying always: Prayer is enjoined. Be watchful. Pray for the church. Persevere throughout all of your personal storms. ***end.