Put on Your Armor

Weights?

God wants you to be able to speak the truth in love and not give in to the devil’s schemes. So put on your armor.

Canvas

The Challenge of Being Capable - Going up against the devil

Paganism - gods don’t love you but can be manipulated to like you

Story about being converted

We live in a world where we can be controlled fairly easily

Ephesians 3:8–12 ESV

8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Schemes of the Devil

Has God said? Listen to other voices.

Will God love? Pursue other loves.

You don’t matter. You’re not enough. - Don’t try. / Be bigger than you are.

Busyness - Never enough

“Having done all”

The Purpose of Being Capable - Speaking the Truth in Love

To stand in the evil day

Speaking the truth in love with confidence

Freedom of speech, openness to truth, regardless of opposition

Speaking out of knowing God loves you, knowing God’s plan, and knowing His plan is better

Martin Luther - Here I stand I can do no other.

other examples - story

How do you talk about your marriage? How do you talk about your family? How do you talk about work?

The Prayer for Being Capable - Putting on the Armor

Know who I am and what my purpose is

Know who God is and what He is doing in grace

Praying that for yourself and others so that you can have boldness when you need to

Are you capable of speaking the truth in love when you need to? Are you putting on the armor this week? Are you praying for your brothers and sisters that they will have their armor on this week?