The Armor of God

Yesterday's lesson mentioned the armor of God. There's so much I wanted to say that I decided I would devote today to it. Follow the link below and read the passage or read it in your own Bible. Let God's word speak to you and then come back and read what I have to share.

Ephesians 6:10-18

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Paul is wrapping up his letter here with a final exhortation. We're to be strong in his mighty power. And to put on his armor to stand up against the devil. Who's armor? GOD'S armor. We have not been left to deal with the devil on our own. He has given us tools to work with so we are not to rely on our own strength.

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
The full armor. Not part of it. We don't pick and choose. For us to stand we must use everything God has given us to succeed. As you read the parts of the armor you will notice the armor only protects from the front. We're to stand facing the enemy. To turn and flee will expose our backs to attack.

14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,

Belt of truth. What truth? God's truth.

• We, that believe in Christ, are saved. John 3:16-18


• We are more than conquerors and can never lose God's love. Romans 8:37-39


• We will have trouble by Jesus has overcome the world. John 16:33

These are just a few of the truths you must know and believe if you are to stand. If we know the enemy is already a defeated foe than will will not fear him. John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

with the breastplate of righteousness in place,


The soldiers breastplate guards the heart and vital organs. This is the breastplate of God's righteousness. Romans 3:22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

When we put on this breastplate our heart is covered with God's righteousness. It's not what we do, it's what he has done.

15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

We've all lacked peace at one time or another. When our nerves are shot it effects every aspect of our being and we don't "move out" with confidence. The gospel (1Corinthians 15:2-5) brings peace to those who have accepted Christ. We can then move out for him.


16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Dodging one arrow may be possible if you know it's coming, but multiple arrows makes the task impossible. That's when a soldier would tuck under his shield.

When the devil or the world or our own doubts attack us we can tuck under our faith. Though we may not be having a good time now we have our faith in Christ and know that the situation will work out for our good. (Romans 8:28)

17Take the helmet of salvation

Protect your mind. How you think and how you believe will effect how you act.

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Our only offensive weapon is the word of God. Follow Jesus example when he was tempted. Each time the devil offered him what he knew was wrong, Jesus responded quoting scripture.
Matthew 4:1-11 Luke 4:1-13 Learn the word of God. It never ceases to amaze me how much scripture is brought to my heart when I need it.

18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

The Holy Spirit is here to help us. We are promised in Romans 8:25-27 that the spirit will intercede for us in our prayers. We're to pray about everything. Nothing is too small for God. If it's on your heart bring it to him.

Also pray for you fellow believers. Pastors and church leaders come to mind first, but do not neglect spouses, children, parents and siblings. All of us need prayer.

I hope this study has been of some benefit to you. I know it has been a challenge for me.

God's grace. Stewardship. Edurance. Soldiering.

2 Timothy 2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.


1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Paul prayed 3 times for the "thorn" in his flesh to be removed and the answer he received was "my grace is sufficient for you". (2 Corinthians 12:9) God has given us His grace and we rarely bother to use it.

What is grace? It is God's umerited favor. We were sinners when Christ died for us(Romans 5:8). We deserved death Romans 6:23. Yet God provided a way for our sins to be paid for. THAT is God's grace.

We who have accepted Christ work on the cross are no longer sinners. We are a new creation. 2 Corinthian 5:17. Yes we can still sin, but 1 John 1:9 promises us that we can restore that relationship with God at anytime we chose. There is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ. Romans 8:1

THAT is grace. If you are a child of God be strong in that grace.

2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

I've learned so much by men just like me who obeyed this verse and taught me what they know. That's why I write this blog. God is teaching me so much that I HAVE to let it out.

3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

We are in a battle. God has given us what we need. Ephesians 6:10-18 There is so much in this passage that it deserves it's own blog.

4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.

This world has many distractions. So many toys, activities, family and jobs that take us away from what Christ really wants us to do. That does not mean we abandon our families and quit our jobs. It means we put those things into perspective and serve God through them. Too often our jobs and activites replace God.

I'll close with the verse below. This does not promise us a smooth road. It promises us the road that God has for us. And experience has taught me His path, even in the midst of a battle field, is safer than my own bed if that is outside His will.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

I pray you have been blessed by what God has taught me today.

How we deal with one another.

I have a few accountablity partners. Why? Because the Christian walk is not easy and going it alone is impossible. That's why God gave us the church.

Heb 10:24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

So we are to get together to encourage each other.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

We sharpen one another as we struggle together.

One of the men in my accountablity circle had issues with me. He wrote, "I am trying to figure out how to say these things without offending you. But we are brothers... so I am trusting the Spririt to translate and filter out my crap and keep the truth of it in..." (He was a bit more specific and it's not important to this blog.) He closes with this, "I just need someone that will be a little more listening, and encouraging..."

Ouch! But that is the beauty of two men agreeing to hold one another accountable. He had not only the RIGHT to say this, he had the OBLIGATION to say it.

Them that know me personally, know I am a talker. My wife jokes and tells me I could "have a 45 minute conversation with at rock". The Lord has also been working on the WAY I say things. It's getting better, but I'm not there yet. (See my Freedom in Christ blog from Monday and my comments on the fruit of the Spirit.)

This incident made me think. And pray. How are we to interact with our Christian brothers and sisters? Since the contect of mutual accountability was my thought pattern this is what came to me.

Galations 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness ; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

Sometimes we can real good at the correcting, but the restoring and the gentleness, we're not so good at. Remember the Holy Spirit works differently in eveyone. Each person growth will be at God's pace, not yours. Be gentle with them. Also don't think that you have arrived in any area. Except for the grace of God, any one of us is capable of ANY sin.

Galations 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

We're bear the burden together. The image that come to my mind is that of two oxen pulling a cart. They have to work together. If one pulls harder or not at all no progress is made.

Philipians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

It's easy to be prideful when someone comes to you for help. Remember that it's not about you. It's about them and God's glory.

Philipians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

Once again our standard is Christ. He is God yet He gave up everything. He did it humbly.

I hope the Lord has blessed you with His Word.

Focus on God, not your situation.

I was wondering what or if I was going to blog today. Somedays the ideas come fast and furious and somedays I have nothing to say. There I even days I have something I should say, but I am too wrapped up in myself to actually type them out.

Today's personal Bible study dealt with discouragement. I won't reproduce the devotional here this time. I only wish to point out the first half of step 7 of his "nine specific steps" in overcoming discouragement.

"7. Focus on God, not your situation. " - Dr Charles Stanley

The first thing the popped into my brain when I read this was Peter walking on water when Jesus called him. Let's look at the text.

22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray ; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves ; for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost !" And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." 28 Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 And He said, "Come !" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt ?"

So Peter called out to Jesus and was told to, "Come!", and he did. Peter walked on water toward Jesus. Let's give him a little credit here. He, a fisherman familiar with the sea, stepped out of the boat. Not very smart on human terms, but when done in obedience to Christ it was the ONLY thing to do.

Then Peter looked around him at the storm he started to sink. Are the storms in your life right now? Have you taken your eyes off the Savior and started worrying about the world around you? Has anxiety replaced the peace you had when you trusted God?

Cry out to Jesus. He's still there, right where He was when you took your eyes off Him. When Peter cried out Jesus reached out his hand and saved him. He will do the same for you.

How strong is your faith? Call out to the Jesus today.

Freedom in Christ.

Click the link below and let the Holy Spirit talk to you. Then come back here and read what I have to share.

Galations 5


1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Why do we, if free, go back to the old ways? One reason is we don't really believe that we are free. I believe that if I jump off a cliff I will fall. Therefore I do not jump off a cliff. Simple. So, I must not truely believe in my heart of hearts that I am free. I'm working on that part.

A second reason is sin is fun. Hebrews 11:25 speaks of Moses choice He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. Sin is fun. However it does not last forever like pleasures from the Lord. Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

You have the freedom to choose.

2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

A few days or hours after my birth, I was circumcised. So according to these verses Christ is of no value to me and I am obligated to obey the whole law. No, that is NOT what it is saying. There were people spreading lies in the early church convincing new Gentile Christians that they could accept Christ, but they needed to be circumcised also. This is adding to what Christ did on the cross. By adding to Christ's work, one nullifies His work as NOT ENOUGH. This is an evil lie. The outward physical appearance of a man is irrelevant. Vs 6 tell us that faith expressing itself through love is what is important.

7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."

No one cares how a person started the race. They want to know who won and with marathons, they want to know who finished. If you have been sidetracked it did not come from God. Vs 9 gives a hint of where it come from. As yeast will work it's way through the entire loaf of bread, so will sin work it's way through out our lives. If you tolerate it, eventually it will take over.

10I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.

Be careful what you teach. Is your lesson from the Lord? I pray that you read the scripture as much more important than my words. If I ever post a falsehood, please let me know. I claim no corner on Biblical discernment.

11Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Paul was still being persecuted by the Jewish leaders. Therefore his message was NOT the same as theirs. He is quite discriptive in what he wishes these false teachers to do. At least this way they would not breed.

13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Use your freedom to serve. Love eachother.

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

This is the how. You walk in the Spirit by doing what you know to be right. We make it harder than it is because we want an excuse.

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

I won't break this down, you can read. Has the Holy Spirit spoken to you of one or more of these that need to be removed from your life?

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Fruit does not happen over night. First is the seed, then the root followed by the plant. A flower soon follows and eventually fruit. All during the tree's life are good days and bad, storms and fair weather. The fruit comes in time.

It's the same way in our Christian walk. So many want INSTANT fruit and when it does not happen they quit. Let the Spirit work and you will see fruit.

24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

Our sinful nature is dead. Do we live that way?

25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

When the fruit does appear, remember it is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of the believer. He gets the credit. And don't look down on others that are taking longer to grow. Again, it's the Spirits work. Let Him work.

Marriage is not a fairy tale, however you can live Happily Ever After.

Television, movies, books, pop culture and the American dream all speak of settling down and getting married. Then comes the house and the kids and they all live happily ever after. Right? WRONG! I paraphrase Gary Thomas. When you take an imperfect spouse and they marry an imperfect spouse and they have imperfect children, you do not get a perfect marriage.

So where do we turn when our marriage is in the dumps...when our relationship is at the point that you want to throw in the towel? The world goes to divorce court. Christians are supposed to go to scripture. Far too often Christians are more like the world and just throw in the towel.

What does scripture have to say about marriage?

Gen 2:20 The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." 24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

So we see that God instituted marriage in the very beginning. It started with the very first man and woman.

But how does marriage work? We find that in Ephesians 5.

22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing ; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHERAND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

There is some pretty unpopular thoughts here. Especially in our american culture with women's lib and the fact that so many men have misused this portion of scripture to be a tyrannical jerk. Let's try and get through our own personal filters and take a look at what God has to say.

22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

This clearly places the wife under the husband. But how does it do it? In the same way that the church is under Christ. Therefore the woman is NOT a door mat. She is NOT a slave. She does however need to follow her husband's lead. Even when she does not agree or understand. I'm not saying that you need obey if your husband tells you to rob a bank. I am saying that if your husband is leading and his leadership is moral and legal you must follow him. Will he mess up. Yup. But that is when he needs his wife right there holding him up in prayer, thought and deed. You will answer to God for how you obey Him by the way you obey your husband.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing ; but that she would be holy and blameless.

How are we to love our wive's? As Christ loved the church. How did he do that? He gave himself up for her. He had every right and all the power, yet he willingly surrendered it for the benefit of the church, so the church (His bride) would be presented in glory with no spot or wrinkle. THAT is our standard guys. How are you measuring up? What would your wife say if you were to ask this question of her? When out with they guys how do you present your wife? Is she blameless and perfect or do the guys all know every offense she's committed of late?

28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body.

We all eat. We get enough rest. Sometimes we even go to the gym. We shower and brush our hair. These are daily events. What kind of daily maintenance do you do on your marriage? If you go two or three day without a shower or deodorant you will stink. When marriage goes two or three days without active maintenance it stinks. Each spouse will become offensive to the other.

Again I want to point out to you that the standard is Christ. One of us may be better at this marriage thing than the other, but we're not to look around to see how we're doing. We're to look at what Christ has done for the church and what he is doing for her everyday. Our wive's actions or inactions are irrelevant as well. We constantly sin yet Christ is still right there no matter what. Hebrews 5:13b for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL IEVER FORSAKE YOU,"

31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHERAND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

The two shall become one flesh. The illustration once given to me was tissue paper. Glue two pieces together and let it dry. Then try pulling them apart. You cannot do it without destroying both.

Keep your parents out of it. No running home to mama when things are not going well. Cling to one another.

The mystery Paul refers to is the church being the bride of Christ. Marriage is supposed to be a reflection of our relationship with Christ. Therefore divorce is not supposed to happen. Let's look a Jesus words in Mathew 19.

1 When Jesus had finished these words, He departed from Galilee and came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan; 2 and large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there. 3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" 4 And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, 5 and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH '? 6 "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY?" 8 He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. 9 "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." 10 The disciples said to Him, "If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry." 11 But He said to them, "Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 "For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb ; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it."

"Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives ; but from the beginning it has not been this way. "

Divorce was NEVER part of the plan. Hardheaded humans demanded it and Moses a human leader permitted it. Jesus does give the "except for immorality" statement and I would never argue with Christ. I would however say that since marriage is a picture of our relationship with Christ and will never abandon us for any sin we commit, I encourage any of you that are victims of an unfaithful spouse to consider reconciliation not separation and divorce.

33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

Again we are commanded to love our wives and wive's are commanded to respect their husbands. Is it easy? No. Does it get easier? Yes, but ONLY when you submit to God and walk in the Spirit.

This study was done for marriage as there is some maintenance that needs to be done. I hope one of you readers are blessed by it.