Dear Precious Friends,
It's a new day... a gift and a time to fill ourselves with the truth of who we are. I am sharing what I need to hear. This is not just for the ladies of our group, it's for our guys as well.
Scripture says if we are followers of Christ, 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" (Ephesians 6:12).
That tells me we are to be warriors… not men or women who cower in our wounds. Scripture exhorts us in Ephesians 6:10-11 to "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" and to "put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Then as we're given details in how to put on those pieces of armor, we're told to take the shield of faith "with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (verse 16).
I started thinking about how many of us fall prey to the flaming arrows or "fiery darts" of the enemy because we believe his lies:
If we can learn to recognize the voice of the Devil, then we can realize that every word he and his demons say is a lie, because he’s the father of lies (John 8:44). In fact, the only time we can believe the Devil is when he says he’s a liar. If you stay connected to the Word of God, you’ll be more able to discern Satan’s lies and know when to turn a deaf ear to him, especially knowing he’s a liar, and has been one from the beginning (Gen 3).
Regret, Defeat, lack of confidence, unworthiness, you'll never amount to anything, you can't make a difference, you won't pass that test, go ahead just this one time.. it won't hurt anything..
The list can go on and on!
Those fiery darts pierce our hearts, they stab our minds, they condition our thinking. They convince us that God's words are lies and the enemy's words (sometimes our thoughts and sometimes actual words spoken to us through other people) are true.
SO WHAT ARE WE TO DO???
First recognize the lies and armor up!!
But Scripture tells us to put on the armor of God as a defense against these lies, accusations and fiery darts.
For years, I wondered what the analogy meant and how to actually suit up in the armor of God. Then a Godly teacher shared the following: Every piece of armor symbolizes Christ in some way. And therefore, putting on the armor of God is synonymous with clothing yourself in the character of Jesus Christ, or simply abiding in Him.
Here is what that looks like:
We are to fasten the belt of truth around our waist, which means to know at the core of our being that Jesus is the truth. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
We are to wear the breastplate of righteousness, meaning we are to cover our hearts with Christ who is called "The Lord our Righteousness" in Jeremiah 23:6.
We are to take up the shield of faith in order to extinguish those fiery darts from the enemy. Psalm 84:11 tells us "The Lord is a sun and shield..." and Christ is the object of our faith.
We are to put on the helmet of salvation by guarding our heads and minds with Christ because Acts 4:12 says "Salvation is found in no one else."
We are to take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God – and John 1:14 tells us Jesus is the Word made flesh.
When the enemy starts shooting his fiery darts at your heart and mind, making you think you are defeated, don’t shrink from the attack. Don’t become a wounded man or woman, who falls prey to his lies, accusations, and schemes. Instead, be a warrior. Know the truth of who you are and the power of Christ in you. Stand firm, clothed in Christ by abiding in the character and identity of Jesus Christ.
The easiest way to remember to suit up each day is to pray through those pieces of armor we are getting dressed. As we put on our clothes, ask God to clothe us with His character, wrap us up in His truth, cover our heart with His righteousness, guard our mind with His salvation and so on. And to keep us focused on the war we are in, spend time in His presence, praising Him for who He is (a mental reminder that He is God and bigger than any problem or pain in my life), reading His Word (and getting His advice for the day instead of the world’s) and listening for His voice (which will remind me who my commanding officer is – the King of Kings, not my fears, doubts, wounds, or regrets).
This is how we face each day with the clear reminder and truth of who we are in Christ!!!
So, suit up. Sword on... And take on the world as a warrior! We already know who wins!!
AMEN!
