ARE YOU READY FOR THE BATTLE OF YOUR LIFE?

Matthew 24:6 “And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.“

The wars: ethnic and territorial conflicts, famines, epidemics, and wide spread earthquakes that Jesus mentions will not signal the end; they will merely be the beginning of sorrows. We‘ve already witnessed or heard some of these things happening throughout our world today. These troubles form the backdrop for what will come and will increase in intensity when Christ‘s return draws near. BUT none of these things, although terrible in themselves, should trouble God‘s people, for we know these things are to take place before His return. We must however pray for those in strife and conflict. Pray for the world leaders, not for what they are doing but for their souls, that they might change their ways.

PUT ON YOUR ARMOUR

“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.“ Ephesians 6:11

The newest innovation to body armour for soldiers and police officers is liquid gel. Developers have invented a super gel that‘s lighter to wear than traditional bulletproof vests, yet more effective. The fluid has special particles that collide and lock together when disturbed, forming a hard surface that absorbs and stops projectiles. And, it is cooler and more flexible to wear.

The believer‘s armour is also flexible and strong and in this hostile world it‘s never safe for a Christian to leave home without it.  As described in Ephesians 6:12–18, we need the utility belt of truth, the vest of righteousness, the shield of faith, the shoes of evangelism, the Sword of Scripture, and the helmet of salvation.  Spiritual battles must be fought with spiritual weapons, which God has equipped us with, through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

“We as Christians do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

The belt of truth (6:14). The soldier‘s belt served as the foundation of his armour, holding his sword and breastplate. Because Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), he can‘t handle the truth.  Jesus said, “I am the truth“ (John 14:6). Victory in spiritual warfare starts with TRUTH.

The breastplate of righteousness (6:14).  The breastplate guards the heart, the source of the soldier‘s life.  The same way righteousness protects the spiritual life of the Christian.  Our righteousness comes from Christ, not ourselves. (Philipians 3:9)

Feet protected by the gospel of peace (6:15).  The soldier‘s heavy armoured boots give him traction and security in the heat of battle.  Our peace with God through Jesus gives us security in the face of Satan‘s accusations. (Philippians 4:7)

The shield of faith (6:16).  In bible days the soldier‘s shield was leather–covered and would be soaked with water to extinguish flaming arrows of the enemy.  Faith in God‘s promises deflects and extinguishes the lies of Satan. (Proverbs 30:5; 1 John 5:4)

The helmet of salvation (6:17).  The helmet protects the soldier‘s brain. Because the primary battlefield in spiritual warfare is the Christian‘s mind, assurances of salvation defeats the doubts Satan uses to attack us. (John 10:28)

The sword of the Spirit, the word of God (6:17).  In bible days the only offensive weapon was the soldier‘s sword.  Of course today we have guns with bayonets, hand–grenades, SAM‘s.  For the Christian, the sword is the Word of God – the Bible as a whole.

Thankfully, our spiritual armour is to be used in a war that has already been won, as of this moment we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  Jesus is our armour.

It‘s never safe for a Christian to leave home without our armour on.

CONSCIOUSLY PUT ON EACH PIECE DAILY AND GUARD AGAINST THE DEVIL‘S WILES.