The Armor of God

Our battle is not a physical fight, it is a struggle for the mind.

because we are not wrestling facing blood and flesh, but facing rulers, facing authorities, facing the world rulers of the darkness of this age, facing the spiritual  from the malignantly evil in the heavens, Ephesians 6:12

Satan’s Methods in Battle

Independence from God is when we seek to gain from or do something to please God through our own works, or seek to fulfill desires that are contrary to what God has given us.

A good example of this type of mindset is found with Lucifer, who fell because of his pride. Rather than being content with where God placed him, he sought to move his throne from the earth to the third heaven to be like God. Isaiah 14:14

Christians are to do all things unto the glory of God, 1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you all eat, whether you all drink, whatever you all do, do all unto the proper opinion of God.

Failing to seek God’s desirous will in our life.

If we know to do what is properly (the desirous will of God) and do not do it, this is sin, James 4:17 Therefore is we intuitively know to do good (that which is proper) and do not do it, this is sin.

Doubt comes from a mindset that lacks the ability to discern good and evil and therefore lacks hope, which is what faith is based upon. This type of doubt questions whether or not God’s promise is true.

The word itself comes from the concept of thoroughly judging; however, the doubt element is from not being able when thoroughly judging to determine what is good (beneficial) and what is evil (lacking in character).  This inability comes from a lack of exercising discernment, Hebrews 5:14

One who doubts is described as a wave that is driven by the wind and tossed. They are ones who are double souled (thorn between emotions) and not able to properly discern God’s will for them, James 1:6

Doing something while doubting is sin, Romans 14:23.

Resentment in the way one is treated to the point of being angry and having a deep-seated ill will.

Ceasing to share or speak the truth out of fear of reprisal.

Being puffed up; high minded.

The use of crude or obscene language. The type of speech that is rotten and seeks to affect others in the same way.

Spreading information about others in a way that seeks to warp the true meaning.

A mindset where a person thinks they deserve better and are therefore objecting to what they have been provided or the conditions in which they are placed.

Comes from a mindset that God has forgotten or is not concerned about a person. Losing courage in doing what is right due to not seeing the results or facing persecution.

Not speaking the truth.

Refusing to forgive someone who has repented.

Note: Repentance means to change the mind, it is a true change that affects a person’s actions. One who has repented of an action will no longer do it.

Taking another person’s property without permission or the legal right as one’s own.

Allowing worldly matters to take precedence over Spiritual matters such as assembling with the saints.

Getting involved with other’s business when you do not belong.

Defense Against an Attack

Finally, my brethren, be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of His strength. Clothe yourself with the whole armor from God, facing your inherent ability to stand facing the methodologies of the devil, because we are not wrestling facing blood and flesh, but facing rulers, facing authorities, facing the world rulers of the darkness of this age, facing the spiritual from the malignantly evil in the heavens. – Ephesians 6:10-12

The battle is within the mind, so the defense is also within the mind. Paul uses the example of Roman armor to explain the different defenses we have against Satan’s methods to get us to think in a way that will ultimately lead us to doing his desirous will rather than God’s.

The battle is not fought in your own strength – my brethren, be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of His strength, Ephesians 6:10.

The Armor from God is our heavy armor, not our daily light armor (Romans 13:12). It is only put on when in battle with Satan, or one of his demons.

When putting on the Armor of God it is important to put on the entire armor and once you have done so to then stand against Satan’s attack – Clothe yourself with the whole armor from God, facing your inherent ability to stand facing the methodologies of the devil, … Because of this take up the whole armor from God, in order that you should have a natural ability to stand in the malignantly evil day, and after working out all to stand. Ephesians 6:11, 13

Loins Girded with Truth

Truth is seeing things as they really are.

In 1 Peter 1:13 we are given a clearer understanding that loins refer to the mind. – Wherefore, after girding the loins of your mind…

We are to protect the sensitive part of our mind, which is the thoughts. What we allow to remain in our mind, the focus we place our mind on, or the desires we seek to fulfill all can affect what we do. If Satan can persuade us that we are less than what God says we are, we will be easier to manipulate to follow him rather than God.

This part of the armor protects us against lying and gossiping since both of these are contrary to the truth.

Breastplate of Righteousness

In Christ we are righteous before God.

For the One not knowing sin, He was made sin on our behalf in order that we should become a righteousness of God in Him, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Because our righteousness is positional, we do not lose it when we sin or maintain it by works. The attacks from Satan in this area will seek to get us to go after our own righteousness through works rather than God’s righteousness. Since there is no place for self-effort when it comes to being righteous before God this part of the armor defends against Independence from God and Pride.

Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace

The Gospel of peace is the message that brings peace between God and men.

Now I made known to you, brethren, the gospel which I brought to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, through which also you are saved, by which good word I brought to you, since you hold fast, except if you believed without an object. For I delivered to you at first that which also I received, that Christ died concerning our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:4

The gospel message is to be preached without charge, for we received it freely and are to give it freely. Having a mindset that is always ready to give the Gospel will defend against attacks of stealing, laziness, and even bitterness. When we are focused on giving we are not going to take what does not belong to us. When we are ready to give the truth at any opportunity we will not be spiritually lazy when it is time to share, and we certain will not be bitter if we truly understand that salvation was a gift to us that could not be earned and regardless of what this world brings we will never lose it.

Shield of Faith

Satan uses many different means to influence a Christian with the intent to prevent them from living out a godly life. The shield of faith will protect against these since it counters doubt. If Satan can get us to do something while we are doubting – while we doubt that God permits us to do it, he can influence us to sin.

Now faith is the substance of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen, Hebrews 11:1.

God has given us promises related to our life and future. Taking Him at His Word prevents Satan from negatively influencing our actions through his trickery and methodologies..

Helmet of Salvation

What salvation is based upon is very important. If it not based upon faith, when Satan attacks the foundation of belief will crumble. We are saved by believing that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. We do not accept Jesus into our hearts, feel remorse for our sins, ask for forgiveness of our sins, or make Jesus the Lord of our lives; although these are predominate teachings today they are false. We offer nothing, He provides all.

Not only does God provide salvation by faith through grace, He even guarantees it. Which means we cannot lose our salvation. Properly understanding this will protect against discouragement, spiritual cowardice, an unforgiving spirit, and disappointment.

Sword of the Spirit

This sword belongs to the Spirit. Since it is not the entire Bible, rather it is individual utterance from God, the focus is on specific statements that God has give the saint in regard to his or her life.

This sword will deal with any stray temptations that the other parts of the armor may miss. It is used by applying specific passages of Scripture to lusts coming from an attack from Satan.

When the battle is over, take time to communicate with God on behalf of other saints still in the midst of battle. – through all worship and supplication, communicating at all times in Spirit, and unto yourselves watch in all perseverance and supplication concerning all saints, Ephesians 6:18

Know Your Enemy

Satan is a fallen Cherub whose name is Lucifer (Sinning One of the Dawn), Isaiah 14:12

Cherubim are higher in the creation scale than angels (messengers).

Lucifer was the pinnacle of God’s creation before his fall, Ezekiel 28:14.

Lucifer is a created being:

He is not omniscience: he does not know everything.

He is not omnipresent: he cannot be in more than one place at a time.

He has a natural musical ability, Ezekiel 28:13 the workmanship of his settings and sockets were in him when he was created. setting and sockets (or pipes and tabrets) refer to musical instruments. Why is this significant to note? No other spirit being has the ability to make music naturally. e.g. Angels do not sing, they shout. Although inherently there is no evil in music, it can be used maliciously to effect people and influence their actions.

He has the ability to appear as a message (angel) of light, 2 Corinthians 11:14.

He is a spirit being; therefore, any battle with him is fought in the rational part of the mind (human spirit), Ephesians 6:12.

The Age of Lucifer’s Kingdom

As the anointed Cherub, Lucifer ruled over the entire universe, Ezekiel 28:14 – You are the anointed cherub, the one that covers and I placed you in the Holy Mountain of God. You came to walk in the midst of the stones of fire.

The mountain of God refers to His governmental system. As an anointed cherub, Lucifer covered over all others in the mountain – He was the highest ruler of the spirit beings.

His throne was placed upon the earth (Eden), prior to mankind being created., Ezekiel 28:13 – You were in Eden a garden of God… . Lucifer ruled from earth, which was a garden of precious stones.

The Present Evil Age

Satan usurped authority over the earth from Adam. He currently is the creator and maintainer of the world system. In the current age, God is showing His character in contrast to Satan’s to intelligent beings (the spirit beings and humans).

When Satan offered the Kingdoms of the world to Jesus to tempt him, it would not have been a temptation if he did not have authority over the nations, Luke 4:5.

We currently live in the present malignantly evil age which is governed by the prince of the authority of the air (Satan), Ephesians 2:2; Galatians 1:4; however, Christians are not under his authority, Colossians 1:13 – Who rescued us out from the authority of darkness, and transferred us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son.