Our armour for defence

Foundations of Christian living – Bob Gordon

How we overcome Satan

Our strategy for warfare

• recognise his activities (2 Corinthians 2:11).

• Reject his advances (Ephesians 4:27).

• Resist his attacks (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8–9).

• Recognise where God is at work and do as God wants you to do in that situation.

Jesus said that in His name His disciples will drive out demons (Mark 16:16–17) as part of their work for Him.

Our armour for defence (begin 07/12/23)

The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin as long as we confess any sin to God and receive His forgiveness (1 John 1:7–9). If we live in the good of this provision of God, Satan will not be able to get a foothold into our life (Ephesians 4:27). We need to know where we stand in God. The blood of Jesus enables us to live in victory over Satan (Revelation 12:11; Colossians 2:15).

We also need to put on the full armour of God in order to stand our ground, whatever the enemy throws at us (Ephesians 6:10–18). Putting on this armour is like putting on the Lord Jesus (Romans 13:14). We will then be abiding in Christ and staying close to Him always. Jesus knows what we go through because, although He is God, He became a man and was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sinning (Hebrews 4:15). When Satan came to Him to tempt Him, He was able to stand and overcome. He did this, not in His authority as God, but as a man in the power of the Holy Spirit.

As disciples of Jesus, we have this same power available to us (Philippians 4:13; Acts 10:38). The armour of God is divided into a number of items. We need to run through these in our minds to make sure that we are living as we should in Christ, in the victory available to us and so not have any point where the enemy can come and attack us successfully.

• Are we living with the belt of truth on? Do we live in the truth and in God’s reality? (Jesus is the truth, dwelling in us and inspiring us to live truthful lives – John 14:6.)

• Have we put on the breastplate of righteousness? Are we living righteously before God as we should? (Jesus is our righteousness which should inspire us to righteous living – 2 Corinthians 5:21.)

• Are our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace? Are we fulfilling the great commission of Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations? (Jesus is the Prince of peace and it is His gospel we carry – Isaiah 9:6.)

• Have we taken up the shield of faith? Are we living a life of faith, trusting in God and knowing our victory over the enemy and our flesh life? (Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith – Hebrews 12:2.)

• Have we put on the helmet of salvation? Do we know that we are born again and are children of God? (Jesus is the captain and author of our salvation – Hebrews 2:10.)

• Have we taken up the sword of the Spirit? Do we know the Word of God and what it says about who we are in Christ? (Jesus is the living Word and He has given us His Word to be an active weapon in our mouths – Hebrews 4:12; John 1:14.)

• Do we pray in the Spirit on all occasions? Are we open to the Holy Spirit’s leading and prompting and do we know how to pray effectively? Jesus gives us access to our heavenly Father and we can therefore present things to Him in Jesus’ name (Hebrews 4:16; John 14:13).

Remember that we must be self-controlled and alert (1 Peter 5:8) and we must live lives submitted to God (James 4:7). Also we must not give Satan an opportunity to get a foothold in our lives (Ephesians 4:27).

(end 07/12/2023)

Our weapons for attack

When Satan has a grip on someone’s life, or comes against us as disciples of Jesus, then we have the authority in God to not only defend ourselves but to go on the offensive against Satan.

We can use:

• the name of Jesus (Acts 16:18; Philippians 2:9–10).

• The Word of God (1 John 2:14; Ephesians 6:17).

• The power of the Spirit (Acts 10:38).

Our assurance of victory

Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Everything is placed under the feet of Jesus Christ because He rules over all for God (Ephesians 1:21–23) and He gives us His authority as believers (Matthew 10:1; Romans 16:20; Luke 10:19; Matthew 28:18–20).

• Those born of God are kept safe (1 John 5:18; Romans 8:37–39).

• He who is in us (Christ Jesus) is greater than he who is in the world (Satan) (1 John 4:4).

• There is overcoming power in the blood of Jesus and in our testimony of Him (Revelation 12:11).

• When we resist the devil, with a life submitted to God, he will flee from us (James 4:7).

Jesus promised,

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)

How to lead a victorious Christian life

• By knowing and living in our authority and position in Jesus. We have been redeemed out of Satan’s hand. We stand in the total victory of Jesus (Revelation 12:11).

• Be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit and walk in the Spirit, not after the lusts of the flesh (Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:5; 1 John 2:15–17).

• Stay away from occult practices. If you have already dabbled in these, then renounce them and ask God to forgive you for each thing you have done that has dishonoured God.

• Keep the sinful nature crucified (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:11).

• Wear a garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3).

• Fellowship with other Christians regularly (Hebrews 10:25; 1 John 1:7).

• Cut any association with those who would draw you back into sinful or occult activities (2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 5:11).

• Actively resist Satan and whatever he tries to get you to do, i.e. reject his influence (James 4:7; Colossians 3:8).

• Wear the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:10–18).