Put On The Full Armor Of God, So That You Can Take Your Stand Against The Devil's Schemes

EPHESIANS 6:10-18
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-18‬ ‭NKJV‬

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We believers will continue to battle against evil rulers and authorities, the powers of fallen angels headed by the devil, who is a vicious fighter (see 1 PETER 5:8).
To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God's strength and use every piece of his armor.
Paul was not giving this counsel only to the church of his day, but to all of us today, individually within the whole body of Christ.
As you battle against the mighty powers in this dark world, fight in the strength of the Holy Spirit who empowers the whole body, the church, both individually and together in unity, because Christ is the head.
These are not flesh-and-blood enemies, they are evil spirits and demons that the devil uses to control the people if this world.
They are not mere fantasies, they are very real.
We face a real army who's purpose is to steal and to kill, and destroy Christ’s church (JOHN 10:10), every individual of the whole body, and when we become believers in Christ, these beings become our enemies.
My brethren they will stop at nothing to take us captive and turn us back to sin.
Their purpose is to steal and to kill and to destroy.
They are cold and ruthless; they won’t stop kicking you when you’re down, but rather if allowed, they will totally devour you.
Therefore, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭5:8-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Even though we Spirit filled believers are assured of the ultimate victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord's side.
We can't defeat Satan by our own power, but God has sent His Holy Spirit to help us all the way and has given us His armor to protect us.
Therefore gird your waist with truth, the truth of Jesus Christ, who came to give you life, that you may have it more abundantly ( JOHN 10:10). Furthermore, walk in truth, not being willing to live a lie, but rather see everything as it is, not willing to compromise the truth in any situation.
We all need to know the truth, for the truth shall set you free (JOHN 8:32).
My beloved, there’s but one truth, that is Jesus Christ.
He the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only way to our Father in heaven (JOHN 14:6).
Their is no place for lies in God’s kingdom, not even those little white lies that we justify in our hearts to keep the peace, or get us through a situation, or please people.
Having made the decision to walk in truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, live right with God, come to Him in repentance and sin no more.
My beloved, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and every provision will be added to you (MATHEW 6:33).
Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel. Take in God’s Word and ask for understanding and receive His peace in every situation, believing on Christ which is the shield of faith that protects us from the fiery darts of the devil, his evil schemes he has cumbered up to cause us harm, all knowing that these things are temporary because you’re salvation is secure.
And finally, take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”, for the word of God is victorious in all things, it always accomplishes what it was sent to do and never returns to God void (ISAIAH 55:11).
The truth is, God’s word combined with the law of love, is your weapon of mass destruction against the enemy.
Jesus said, ““If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:15-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Many people are baptised by water, but must also be baptised with the holy Spirit and fire (MATHEW 3:11).
It is when you receive the gift of the holy Spirit one’s salvation is sealed (EPHESIANS 1:13-14; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:22), and one is led aand empowered by the holy Spirit, and the the demonic become subject to you (LUKE 10:17).
Do you have the Holy Spirit in you? You cannot fight this battle without Him, nor is your salvation secure.
Ask God in prayer for His Holy Spirit; “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:10-13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My brothers and sisters, when you feel discouraged, remember Peter's words. "Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it (MATHEW 16:18)”
We are not fighting flesh and blood enemies, but rather, we are battling Satan and his army who are trying to turn us against each other.
He wants to divide us, destroying the church and ability to pray. He wants to break our relationships, our marriages, and family life by any means at his disposal. He uses fear, temptation, false accusations, jealousy, finance, even ones past hurts and scars of life, and many other strategies and temptations.
Over the past few years the devil has used fear to destroy our economies, our health systems, to close our churches and to ultimately bring poverty and division.
His plans and strategies are taking us to the cashless society of revelation 13:16-18.
The devil is pushing fear through the nations to control the way we think; he has an evil agenda and is using his corrupt people, including many in government, the media, the medical profession, scientists, and many more to do it.
But we have a powerful weapon, it is called prayer.
Therefore, when we fight, we fight on our knees and give praise to God.
Rather than fighting each other, pray for one another; and in every situation, give it to God, move the battle ground out of the physical into the spiritual.
Of course, we cannot stop what is written, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:37-39‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Therefore, my brethren, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:23-25‬ NKJV
Finally, yes we are in this battle, and the world has never experienced such dark days as these. “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭5:10-11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.