Lifestyle warfare II
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (What does this mean? We can fool people, but we can’t fool spirits) 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- (NKJ)
Prayer is the beginning of Spiritual warfare, but it cannot end there. The fact is I can resist the devil and he will flee! Right? What good would it do to pray for everyone in this city and then treat each person we met like garbage? What good would it do to pray for those in authority and at the same time talk bad about those in office?
There has to be a walk to our talk, zb.. Sonya and Bar room evangelism.
v The goal of our spiritual warfare is not to only protect ourselves, But to protect our ability to effect those around us! If I lose my testimony, I lose my right to speak into your life! This is about how we protect ourselves so that we can be effective in doing this!
v This is relationship Armour!
The Belt of Truth – transparency (Get Real)
Telling and living the truth is like wearing a belt. They both keep important things in our lives in the right place, and keep us from being embarassed. Honesty, Living by the motto “There is no such thing as a secret!”
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
o We cannot wear masks and have a double life. We have to live open and honest before all men.
The Breastplate of Righteousness (Get Right relationships)
The breastplate protects our vital organs. This a lifestyle that protects our hearts and the hearts of others. Thats how important this part of our armor is. There is a standard (The Love walk) set by God that if we live by we will have rightstanding with him. Innocence, Faultless, and Guiltless before God and Man. But Righteousness is not only rightstanding with God only, but rightstanding with others. We do not live alone. Our actions affect others. If I do not live a life of Righteousness within my relationships with others my rightstanding with God is also broken! I remove my breastplate when I offend others. Sin and Unforgiveness will remove your breastplate!
· Doing what is right before God! Not only what you can get away with before men.
Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Get going)
keeps us on track with God and off the track with the Devil.
Your feet should take you to the places that your purpose in Christ demands that you go.
Thoughtfully considering where our feet take us is spiritual warfare.
There is an old saying “Let you feet do the talking” It is amazing how much the bible has to say about our WALK! Your walk will reflect what you really believe! zb. man in the porno shop praying and binding the devil!
Eph 2:1-2 + 10
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (NKJ)
v If I am walking where I am supposed to be I won´t be walking where I am not supposed to be!
The shield of Faith (Get to the Goal)
Love believes the Best
What are the firery darts? Most of them are things that you can see! This shield is so big that they can´t see you and you cannot see them! You are holding the purposes of God before you so that you will not be distracted and drawn away.
DARTS OF TEMPTATION
James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (NKJ)
James 4:1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (NKJ)
The Helmet of Salvation (Get your head straight)
Protect your head!
Matt 22:37 Jesus said to him," 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' (NKJ)
Giving God our minds and filling them with God´s thoughts is a protection for our heads.
n Whoever gets your head gets your body! (Ro.8,5-7)
Phil 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-- meditate on these things. (NKJ)
and... The Sword of the Spirit (Get to the point)
The word of God has a major role in our defense/Offensive system in our relationships!
James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe-- and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit
What is our view point? Are we praying from Heavens point of view or from the earth?
Yes I believe in praying in the spirit! I believe that the primary point here is to Pray!
But I want to take another view of this if I may. In the Spirit! What does that mean?
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (KJV)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
The goal of the armor is to have a lifestyle and prayer life to be of maximum influence to others