Ephesians 6:
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
When Daniel was speaking to the angel in order to know the meaning of his visions, the angel told him that he'd been detained because he battled with a spirit over a particular realm of the earth. I don't know if the spirit affects where it chooses or if the spirit is drawn to where the people are receptive to it. Regardless, if you have ever had a thought in your mind that wasn't yours and you KNEW it wasn't like you to think that way, then you might understand how spirits work. The scripture says to take every thought captive. I'm not expert in this seeing as how I have yet to be able to redirect my mind when I'm feeling bad about myself or life. The gist is, sometimes alone time with the Lord and praying without ceasing in conversation with the Lord is how you get to know the mind of the Lord.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Whether we like it or not, these are the days this scripture was prophesying about, these are the evil days. The Lord has been silent for some time now, only speaking through those that belong to him and there are so many who say they belong to him that discernment is key to the knowledge of who belongs to him and who doesn't. I have given up the fight of trying to lead people to Jesus because the Mormons taught me too. I had a heart for those people who were in bondage to religious teachings of behavior modification. You can get so caught up in that type of teaching that you miss Jesus entirely and he said he was the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the father but through him. I wanted to tell them that Jesus wouldn't have died on the cross if men were able to be sinless enough to get to heaven on their own. The rebuke I received from a leadership that makes enough money from their congregation to invest in the stock market set me way back on my heels. I decided that there were enough bibles laying around and if they cared they would pick one up. Worse, I decided that heaven would be a better place without some people in it. As a christian, that is not a good place to be mentally. I encountered hatred in it's purest form and I've largely been silent ever since.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Truth is something that most people don't adhere to these days because really, doesn't truth begin with each of us examining ourselves to face the truth about ourselves. That's also where repentance comes in. So many people are eager to tell the truth as they know it about their neighbors and co-workers and friends and family but then they draw a blank when it comes to themselves. The scripture says to work out your OWN salvation with fear and trembling. Repent, people. Repent of your sins and ask the Lord into your heart. We are living in the last days before the rapture and if you think 2020 has been bad, you ain't seen nothing yet. The devil is just warming up. He will have the same amount of time for his ministry as what Jesus had and my guess is that he will make the most of it.
I used to suit up for the Lord but the breastplate of righteousness was not on the top of my list seeing as how Jesus lived a righteous life for me and died for my sins. To be truthful, once my first husband forced me to kill my child I didn't really think trying to be righteous after that would be anything less than hypocritical. Later in life I realized that these feelings kept me from wanting to share the gospel with some people because who was I to talk about religion even though my bragging rights weren't based on what I did, but what Jesus did for me. The breastplate of righteousness is to protect your heart so the devil will not be able to limit your witness to other people. When you are busy accusing yourself of wrong doing you're way less likely to try to lead others to Christ and if you dare to try to do that, then you risk them accusing you of hypocrisy. No one is perfect. The scripture says all our righteousness is as filthy rags. You just have to remember it isn't about you. Plant the seed of salvation and hope someone waters it later. If you do as Jesus said and treat others as you want to be treated, then that's the best you can do. If you reject God because of people who wear the mantle called "christian" who are hypocritical, then you're just looking for an excuse to reject God. Don't judge the Lord based on the people who call themselves by his name. Read your Bible.
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
The gospel of peace is all about Jesus and his virgin birth, his sinless life, his death on the cross and his resurrection. This means peace with God the Father and if you follow the teachings of Christ, peace with one another. If I gave the life of my child so that someone could have eternal life and they rejected that, well, how can anyone reject that?
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The helmet of salvation is the knowledge of Christ and the gospel of Christ which leads to your salvation. Always be mindful that you can't do it yourself and that he has done it already for us. The Bible is a sword. It is the only offensive weapon we have and it cuts both ways. It will convict you and it will convict others as well. Like a sword, you should read and study it in order to be skilled in your knowledge of what it says, who it's saying it to, and the context in which you find your scriptures. Satan quoted scripture to Jesus to tempt him, but Jesus knew the scriptures well enough to know when they were being mishandled. Once my husband scolded me for listening to sermons all day. He said, "Why are you so afraid to die?!" I was astonished and I told him, "I won't need this once I die, I need this in order to know how to live." Don't treat your salvation like it's an insurance policy in case you die.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Paul was a prisoner but he witnessed to everyone who would listen and because they carried him to many places he was able to plant many seeds. Had it been me, I'd probably have been too upset about my circumstances to be so gracious with my captors. I thank the Lord for Paul because his letters expounded on the old testament with the veil removed from Christ and the law. I wonder what he would think if he realized how far reaching those letters would someday be.
Put on your armor and hold your ground for we are living in the end times and it's going to get worse before it gets better.
Comments