Armor Up!
“The more of God’s Word you know and love, the more of God’s Spirit you will experience.” – John Piper
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16, Ephesians 6:10-17, Psalm 119:114, Philippians 3:13-14
I have read Ephesians 6 a thousand times, although every time I get “hit”, I feel like I need to read it a zillion more times. Just about the time I relax and put down a piece of my armor, the enemy strikes! I truly know not to ever let my guard down, but as soon as things are smooth for a few weeks or months, it never fails. I get comfortable, letting down my shield and before I know it, I get kicked in the seat of my pants again. It never comes with a loud siren warning “prepare, for a storm is coming”! Nope, it usually comes when I’m basking in the sun, enjoying my day, all is calm and still, so I set aside my “breastplate” and BAM! I was totally not expecting that punch to the gut. Can anyone else relate?
Then I find myself limping or sometimes crawling back to the Great Physician, asking Him to heal my injuries and by His mighty Grace He restores me again. I wonder if I’ll ever get it though? He tells me in His word to stay on guard – stay alert – the enemy is prowling like a roaring lion seeking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
While I am so thankful for a gracious God who continues to restore me time and time again, I do desire to grow and to recognize when the storm is about to hit – to smell the enemy prowling around my house and to shoot that arrow through him before he gets me or my loved ones again!
How do I do that?
Memorize as much of God’s Word as I can! Never get slack! I need it to live and survive! Spend time each day in His Word and prayer! Just as I wouldn’t leave the house without my physical clothes, I need to clothe myself even more with spiritual clothes!
Protect my heart – be obedient to His Word! Don’t allow the influences of the world to affect what I know is right and wrong. Stand firm and don’t compromise!
Run from evil – keep it away from my eyes, ears, mind, and body. Don’t be involved in gossip, listening to music or watching movies that are not pure….just to name a few.
Use His Word – it is my sword to guard my heart, mind, and body from the lies, doubt, and fear that the devil wants to destroy me with. Words can crush our spirit – I have to filter what is spoken to me through the truth of God’s Word. If it’s nonsense, reject it and don’t allow it to sink into my heart and mind. If it’s truth, I must ask God for help to change or grow from what I have been told.
I was speaking to a friend the other day about this … The Bible says that the tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). We all know how hurtful words can be, but I think we often tend to skip over the part that says the tongue has the power of life!
When we protect our hearts and minds by speaking the truth in God’s Word, we can shield ourselves from the fiery darts that might be coming our way through other’s words or the devil’s lies that he is trying to embed into our minds. The enemy wants to destroy us – he will try whatever he can to get into our hearts and minds. But when we speak the life-giving words in God’s Word, we will not only overcome the lies, but hope, joy and power will rise up in us!
Please make a commitment with me today to saturate our hearts and minds with His Word – to armor up each and every day!
And then, ask Him to use our words today to breathe “life” into someone around us?
Because He is always faithful,
+Linda
