Why do Christians need armour ?
We are in a battle.
All who have chosen to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins, and
have decided to follow Him, are in a battle. (The luke warm, who are not labouring to enter into His rest, who are not working out their own salvation with fear and trembling, are nor really bothered by the enemy; but once
disciples are pressing into the Lord's presence and labouring to rest in Him, and who are striving to enter in at the Strait Gate, and walk in the Narrow Way, and live in
the Light of His presence, and submit ourselves unto God, we are attacked: and the defence is to don the armour of God, learn the Sword of the Spirit, and use it
to resist the enemy, and labour harder to enter, and remain in His presence, and stand in His victory. For therein lies our defence
and victory.)
Isaiah 28:5a In that day shall the Lord of hosts be .... 6b for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
Ps.91.1 He that dwelleth (Heb. ya shab'; to sit down, to remain) in the secret place of the most high shall abide (Heb. liyn; to stop, to stay permantly) under the shadow of the
Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. 3 Surely He shall deliver thee from
the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and
ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most high,
thy habitation: 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because
he hath set his love upon Me, therefore I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and honour him. 16
With long life will I satisify him, and show him My salvation. Hallelujah!
These promises are not for those who do not dwell or abide, or remain in,
the Spiritual presence of the Lord, in Spirit and in Truth. (see study on 'Resting in the Lord').
Immediately afterJesus'
baptism, He was attacked by the devil: so are we.
Unlike Jesus, who defeated the enemy in all areas of temptation; 'the lust of the flesh', 'the lust of
the eyes' and 'the pride of life'; many of us fall short of that victory, and so are in an on-going battle, and dependent upon God's goodness in leading us unto repentance, and His grace
and long-suffering and mercy in forgiving us in times of need.
Heb.4.15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time
of need.
1Jn.1:7 But if we walk in the light (in His presence), as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins (to Him), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.
Eph.6.10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of
His might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all,
taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the firey darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, watching thereunto with all perserverance and supplication for all saints.
1Thes.5.8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
The
whole armour of God consists of Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love, living Faith, Hope, the Word of God,
Prayer, Supplication (in the Spirit), Watchfullness, with all Perseverance, and Supplication for all saints.
We can not just pray,
and say, Lord, I put on the girth of truth; and the breastplate of righteousness; and the shoes of the gospel of peace; and take the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
We
must have all these pieces of armour on in truth.
When we are walking in awareness of the presence of God, knowing that He is with us
and in us, that it is His life that is in us and not our life; we are walking in the light of truth. (for He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you). When we are walking
according to His Word, we are walking in the light of truth.
When we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with Him, and He
with us: and as we confess our sins to Him, and forgive others, we are forgiven and walking in righteousness, and have on the breast plate of righteousness.(2Cor.6.7).
1Jn1.7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Beware! Many sins, transgressions and iniquities are committed unknowingly, and so are never confessed to God. It is good to pray and apologize to the Father for all committed and unconfessed sins, transgressions,
trespasses, and iniquities, and omissions; so that we might be sure of our righteousness in Him. We must remember to thank Him, that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Thankfulness
is a part of God's will for us.
1Thess.5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
When
we are in constant awareness of His presence, that He is in us and we are in Him, and our minds are still; knowing that He is God, and our hearts are
set upon Him, we are resting in Him, in His peace, in His love, and trusting in Him with all of our heart, and so are walking in the shoes of the gospel of peace.
When we walking in obedience
to Him, and trusting in Him with all of our heart, and not following our own understanding, we are walking in living faith, and have the shield of faith.
When we speak the Word of God, and proclaim His Lordship, and victory, and our authority in Him, we are weilding the sword of the Spirit.
When we walk in the assurance of our redeemption through His blood, and the hope of
our salvation through living faith, we have upon us, the helmet of salvation.
Then, fully armed and armoured, we watch and pray with all supplication without ceasing for all saints: and stand and see the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ro.13.11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off
the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not
in strife and envying. 14 But, put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
To put on the whole armour of God; to put on the armour of light; we must be resting in the ever-presence of the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ; walking in
the Light; abiding in Him; dwelling in Him; waiting upon Him. (see study on "Resting in the Lord").
2Tim.2:4
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
This battle is not for luke-warm
believers, but for warriours of living faith; who must be seperate from the affairs of this life, who watch, and persevere in suplication
for all saints.
(When David and his six hundred men persued the Amalekites. who had burned Ziklag, and taken their families captive; two hundred of the men remained at the brook Besor, for
they were faint and unable to go on; David and four hundred men defeated the Amalekites, recovered their families, and all the spoil that was taken, and returned to the brook Besor.
Then the wicked men among the
four hundred, said of the two hundred who had remained behind with the stuff, that they should not share in the spoil, but reveive their wives and children only.
1Sam.30.23 Then said David, You shall not do so,
my brethren, with that which the Lord has given us, who has preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. 24 For who will harken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle,
so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. 25 And it was so from that day foward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.)
Thus shall the warriors of faith pray and persevere in supplication for all saints.
Below is some of the sword of the Spirit.
2Jn.7b Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.
1Jn.3.8b For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Heb.2.14b (Jesus himself was flesh and blood;) that through
death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Col.2.15
(Jesus) spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Lu.10.19 (Jesus) has give me power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all
the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt me.
Ps.91.13 (Jesus has given me power) to tread upon the lion and adders: the young lion and the dragon shall I trample under
feet.
Ps.91.2 The Lord is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. 3 Surely He shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Much of Ps. 91 can be used as sword of the Spirit.
Is.54.17a No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper.
Eph.6.16 (I have) the shield of faith with which I am able to quench all the firey darts of the wicked.
(IJn.4:3b,4) I am of God,
and have overcome spirits of antichrist: because greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.
Ps.107.2 (I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God.) He has redeemed
me from the hand of the enemy;
Mt.18.18b Whatsoever I bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever I loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Ps.149.6 With the high praises of God in my mouth, and a two edged sword in my hand: 8 (I can) bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
Songs of high praise are powerful weapons of warfare. Especially songs of thanksgiving; songs of the beauty of holiness, of God's goodness,
and of God's mercy. (Please consider 2Chr.20.1-30. Especially v.21-24).
Ps.107.1; 118.29; 136. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy
endureth forever.
Ps.106.47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto Thy holy name, and to triumph in Thy praise.
2Chr.20.15b thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
When we are walking righteously, in awareness of His presence, we are abiding in His Holy Spirit, and are safe in Him.
Ps.91.1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my
fortress: my God: in Him will I trust. 3 Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
The secret place of the most High, the unseen, hidden, Spiritual Presence; is only secret from those who do not understand the ever-presence of the Holy Spirit of the Lord (see study on 'Resting in the Lord'),
and abiding in the vine (Jn.15.1.10). in awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
To dwell, live, stay constantly, to remain
in Christ Jesus, in the ever present Holy Spirit of God, to abide in the Vine, to walk in the Light, to wait upon the Lord, to rest in Him, to dwell
in the secret place of the most high, is what is required of us by our heavenly Father.
Psalm 91 applies to all who will do this.
Ps.91.1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge
and my fortress: my God: in Him will I trust. 3 Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His
truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt be not afraid of the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which
is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation: 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For He shall give His angels charge over thee,
to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tred upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisy him, and show him My salvation.
Wow!!!
Hallelujah!!! God is good, His mercy endures forever!!!
2Cor.10.3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after ther flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not
carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds:) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
I pray, Heavenly Father, in the wonderful name of Your beloved Son Jesus, our Redeemer, Lord and Saviour, for all saints everywhere, that we will all come
to the full knowledge of Your Way, and that we will submit ourselves unto You, and live continually in Your presence, in the obedience of living faith, and victory; loving You with all of our heart, soul, mind and strenght, loving our neighbour as we love
ourself, and loving one another as You have loved us, in Christ Jesus. Amen. Amen?
Thank You Heaveny Father,
Thank You Lord Jesus.
To God be the Glory.