For the Battle is Not Yours, But God's Pt. 5

FOCUS, TRUST & STAND

^“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:13

In my Christian faith I have found that 99 percent of the battle is keeping our focus and trust in God, the other 1 percent is standing.

ARMoR of GOD

Before we tune out, thinking we have heard about the Armor of God all before, let’s take a fresh look at these scriptures.  Their purposes are to edify and encourage our focus so we don’t lose heart, become weary, anxious.   They are written for us so we don’t become overcome by what we see, experience, or get entrapped in a destructive or paralyzing thought.  And they are recorded to remind us how important it is to have a relationship with God  

We know the armor of God is NOT worn in pride and arrogance but grace and humility and all godly conviction and sincerity.   

 For the word of God says:

  “Pride goes before destruction,
    and haughtiness before a fall.”  Proverbs 16:18 (NLT)

It also says:

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:14 NKJV

No provision for doubt, fear, dread and no provision for pride and self-conceit.  Two very different faces but just as caustic.  Sometimes one even comes right after the other.   

The armor of God scriptures, as all scriptures in the bible, are to enable us to STAND in battle. 

The Armor of God is all about GOD the man/woman believes in.  IT is NOT about a level of trust one has in his or herself. 

We read: Jesus: “On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name. ‘But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s law.’” Matthew 7:22

We read about the seven sons of Sceva trying to cast out a demon from a man and the evil spirit residing in the man says to them, “I know Jesus and I know Paul but who are you?”  Then they are overpowered and brutally attacked by the man with the evil spirit and flee the house naked.  (Note Acts 19:13-16)

What was the state of their mind and heart?  Was it in themselves or God?

^“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”  Zechariah 4:6

The Armor of God is the Holy Spirit in control not us.  It is God in control.

“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Here there is no conflict with the law.” Galatians 5:22-23

What causes a person who is persecuted, disowned, beaten, raped, tortured, and facing death to continue in the faith of Jesus Christ?  It is certainly not the will of the flesh but the Armor of God protecting the soul.

 

In the movie called “For Greater Glory” which depicts the Cristero War in Mexico in the 1920’s, were thousands were brutally killed for their faith - causing many to take up arms against their own government, a boy named Jose Sanchez Del Rio is captured, tortured and killed for his faith in Jesus Christ.  Jose could had saved his life several times by just renouncing his faith in Jesus Christ but he did not instead he is quoted as saying, “I will never give in.  Viva Cristo Rey!”  Which means “Long live Christ the King!”  To this day, in Mexico, Jose Sanchez Del Rio is known as one of the martyred in Christ.

 

Even when severely beaten and forced to walk on bleeding tortured cut open feet through the streets to his own grave, Jose did not renounce Christ but found strength in Christ instead.

 

 Strength comes when we realize we are not our own.  We are not keepers of our life.  The body is temporary the soul is forever.  God’s armor protects the soul while as it abides here on earth.  These pieces of armor that cloth the Christian soul; speak not of us, but of our God. (We are not our own.)

“Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.”  Ephesians 6:14

God wants us to remember the certainty of Himself.  What are MY ATTRIBUTES God asks? God is our Father, He is our Savior, and He is our Comforter and Counselor.  He is our friend.  He is abounding in faithfulness and love for us.  He is merciful and gracious.  He is goodness without measure.  He is life, truth, and righteousness.   He saves those who cry out to Him.  He carries out justice to those who trust in him.  He is trustworthy.   He is unchanging.   He cannot lie.  These truths allow us to grow and flourish in our God.

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Ephesians 6:15

God wants to remind us that he has given us his peace.  Jesus said he gives us his peace so our heart will not be troubled nor will it be afraid. (John 14:27)  Jesus’ peace is a lasting peace because we know to whom we belong and where our citizenship resides.   When people ask where do we get such peace we can tell them it through God and our LORD Jesus Christ.

In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Ephesians 6:16

Faith is the confidence we have in God even when we cannot see what is going to happen.  Satan and his army shoot their fiery arrows of lies and deceit hoping to burn and destroy our confidence we have in God.   A shield that stops such arrows of lies and deceit is the knowing God has made provision.  He is with us.  He already knows our needs and what is going to happen.  He is all-powerful; nothing stops the will of God and his promises in our life.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

God always want us to be mindful of our salvation.  He is the one who saved us and continues to save us.  He is with us continually.  He does not retreat nor does he leave anyone in the battlefields of life behind.  (2 Corinthians 4:9) He does not forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8).  As we turn to God, He gives us and reminds us of his words to counter the enemy’s strikes and discern truth from fiction.  None of this armor will work for us unless we have a relationship and trust in God.

Remember the Armor of God is not about us but all about HIM.  Knowing this we are able to focus, trust and stand.