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 firm. Ephesians 6:13 (ESV).
Paul calls us to take up the spiritual armor God has given us for a spiritual battle. We are to use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil so that after the battle, we will still be standing firm, standing clothed in Christ, advancing the kingdom of God on earth. The battle has already been won, Jesus has already given us the victory (Colossians 2:15), and the power of the Holy Spirit to enforce and maintain the territory God has already given to us in Christ Jesus.
Everything about God’s Armor is engaging and active; stand your ground, fasten your heart and mind in the truth of His Word, put on righteousness, put on the peace that comes from the good news, take up faith, stand strong in the Lord and the power of His might, put on salvation, pulling down every high thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, Glory to God! Take up the sword of the spoken Word of God and pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit, stay alert and persistent in your prayers, and stand firm in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrection power.
Where is your battle right now? It is time to occupy the land God has given you – if it is in your mind, take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ; is it fear, anxiety, doubt, deception, lift up your shield of faith, stand firm in the full power of God’s strength and the truth of His Word, (2 Corinthians 1:5. 2 Timothy 1:7), be it temptation, lust, pride take up the sword of the Spirit and declare God’s Word over your situation, (Luke 4:4). The Lord Jesus Christ has even given us the victory, we are to live from the finished work of the cross and the power of salvation, our position and strength are in abiding in Christ – that is how we able to withstand, and stand!
Father of Glory, Lord of Hosts, we ask that You clothe us in Your Armor today according to Ephesians 6:13-18. We take up the whole armor of God and resist the works of the enemy in Jesus’ Name, standing against every wile, trick or trap of the devil; we lay claim of the victory Jesus won over the enemy, Lord Jesus, You disarmed principalities, powers and authorities, You made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). Today we securely fasten our heart and minds with the truth of Your Word, let Your truth rule our hearts, be in our minds and proceed from our mouths. We cover our hearts with the Righteousness of Christ, Lord Jesus. You are our righteousness; Your Blood has made us righteous, that we can declare, “We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, we are in You, and You are in us.” We put on Peace, Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of peace, the good news, our hope of glory, that we would be peacemakers wherever we go. We take up the shield of faith to quench every dart of the enemy, and we resist fear, doubt and deception; we are strong in the Lord and the power of His might; we stand firm in the resurrection power of God’s strength and the truth of His Word. We live in the finished work of the cross and the power of salvation. We take up the spoken Word of God against temptation (Luke 4:12), against all lust of the body (Luke 4:4), and pride (Luke 4:8). We will worship the Lord our God and Him only will we serve. We will pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all prayer and supplication, being alert with all perseverance for the saints, that words may be given to us in opening our mouths boldly to proclaim the mystery of the hope-filled gospel in Jesus Name. Amen & Amen
