"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Eph 6:12
This week for me has been a wonderful experience of going to Liberty University and being a part of a small group of believers. During the class, we had an experience where we could share with each other and pray with each other and encourage each other. I drove away from the experience feeling renewed and encouraged. It was mentioned before we left that Satan likes to kick us back down when we are on a spiritual high. He doesn't want us to stay there and will try to attack us where we are vulnerable. So, it is important to put on the full armor of God.
The armor of God is mentioned in Ephesians 6. The first item that scripture tells us is a part of that is the "belt of truth". (Ephesians 4:16). This carries with it the idea of someone prepaing to do battle. The robe the person was wearing would be girded up so that they could move freely and fight. I think it is interesting that Paul uses the word "stand" three times in the NASV to indicate that we should be in a state of readiness. Because our true enemy as a believer is not other people, but spiritual forces that want to kick us back down.
How does the devil kick believers back down. I think there are several ways, but the first thing I want to point out is that the devil has had many years to observe us and know us. He knows us and knows what our weakness is. If your going into battle against a larger person and were told that while his chest is protected his knees are not you would go for the knees. Knock him down and hit him where he is vulnerable. Unfortunately, if we keep doing that the enemy keeps going back to the same area. Why change what has worked? So, I think the devil attacks us where we are individually vulnerable.
You notice that one of the things about the belt is that it is a belt of truth. I think this is a main indicator to us that we prepare ourselves by getting into the Word of God and allowing it to get into us. We meditate on us and apply it to our lives. We allow the truths of God to effect us. We allow the fact that God has forgiveness us, loves us and wants to have a relationship with us to change us. There is no replacing daily time in the Word to cause us to be in a state of readiness for battle.
One way that the devil has of attacking us is that he likes to steal our joy away. Sometimes it is through unresolved conflict where bitterness sets in. Sometimes it may be that he allows us to wallow in feelings of rejection or regret. Other times it may be that he allows us to experience rejection from peers or loved ones. Unforgiveness is a big area where the devil seeks to trap the believer and also feelings of failure. One thing is for sure, that if your on a spiritual high then the devil and his forces do not like it and will try and kick you back down. Don't be ignorant and uninformed. Protect your knees.
This week for me has been a wonderful experience of going to Liberty University and being a part of a small group of believers. During the class, we had an experience where we could share with each other and pray with each other and encourage each other. I drove away from the experience feeling renewed and encouraged. It was mentioned before we left that Satan likes to kick us back down when we are on a spiritual high. He doesn't want us to stay there and will try to attack us where we are vulnerable. So, it is important to put on the full armor of God.
The armor of God is mentioned in Ephesians 6. The first item that scripture tells us is a part of that is the "belt of truth". (Ephesians 4:16). This carries with it the idea of someone prepaing to do battle. The robe the person was wearing would be girded up so that they could move freely and fight. I think it is interesting that Paul uses the word "stand" three times in the NASV to indicate that we should be in a state of readiness. Because our true enemy as a believer is not other people, but spiritual forces that want to kick us back down.
How does the devil kick believers back down. I think there are several ways, but the first thing I want to point out is that the devil has had many years to observe us and know us. He knows us and knows what our weakness is. If your going into battle against a larger person and were told that while his chest is protected his knees are not you would go for the knees. Knock him down and hit him where he is vulnerable. Unfortunately, if we keep doing that the enemy keeps going back to the same area. Why change what has worked? So, I think the devil attacks us where we are individually vulnerable.
You notice that one of the things about the belt is that it is a belt of truth. I think this is a main indicator to us that we prepare ourselves by getting into the Word of God and allowing it to get into us. We meditate on us and apply it to our lives. We allow the truths of God to effect us. We allow the fact that God has forgiveness us, loves us and wants to have a relationship with us to change us. There is no replacing daily time in the Word to cause us to be in a state of readiness for battle.
One way that the devil has of attacking us is that he likes to steal our joy away. Sometimes it is through unresolved conflict where bitterness sets in. Sometimes it may be that he allows us to wallow in feelings of rejection or regret. Other times it may be that he allows us to experience rejection from peers or loved ones. Unforgiveness is a big area where the devil seeks to trap the believer and also feelings of failure. One thing is for sure, that if your on a spiritual high then the devil and his forces do not like it and will try and kick you back down. Don't be ignorant and uninformed. Protect your knees.
