Wearing Our Survival Gear

Vine of Life News, your premier Christian news source.

With the world economies clashing all around us and the devastation’s of earthquakes and bombings, that lately seem to be rampant. I couldn’t help but write a post about wearing our ‘survival gear.’ It seems that every year that passes things get worse, not better. People everywhere are losing their jobs, their finances, their homes, and so much more. But the truth is, the real battle is taking place in the spiritual realm.

“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 heavenlyplaces.” Ephesians 6:11-12

Did you hear that? We don’t fight against flesh and blood, but rather against principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness. Sound creepy doesn’t it? But the truth is, if we really took this Scripture to heart, there’d be alot more praying going on in our lives. Not only that but we need to start doing some serious spiritual battling.  One way we can do that is by wearing the ‘armor of God,’ which is our ‘Survival Gear!’

“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might….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; and 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 6:13-18

In order to fight the spiritual battle we must take up the whole armor of God. Now, does that mean physically dressing like a solider? Heavens No! It’s not quite my style if you ask me. Rather it is referring to wearing it spiritually. Let me explain.

For starters Paul was likely to have written the epistle during the time he was under house arrest and chained to a Roman guard. With that in mind, he likened the spiritual battle to that of a Roman solider who prepares himself for battle. Roman soldiers would often put on various items to protect themselves in a flesh and blood battle. In the same manner, spiritually speaking, Christians needs to prepare themselves for war by putting on various items to protect themselves. And here is how we prepare for that spiritual battle…

1.  “Be Strong in the Lord” (vs.10). It is only in the power of His might that we can win against sin and Satan. We have God Almighty to lean on in times of trouble, when we believe and seek Him.

2. “Gird Your Waist with Truth” (vs.14). We must have a committed relationship with Christ first and foremost. Not just using Him when we need Him, but developing a relationship of truth starting from our innermost being.

3. “Wear the Breastplate of Righteousness” (vs.14). Ultimately living righteously, will protect us from the evil one. When we are not living the way we should be, we are left vulnerable to the enemies attacks. We must keep our lives holy and pure before the Lord. And this can only be done, by making sure we have a daily relationship with Him.

4. “Shod your feet with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace” (vs.15). Peace gives us the strength to stand against the evil one. Don’t be prone to fights, quarrels, and arguments; rather show gentleness and long-suffering to all people. Be full of peace, which will keep you from temptations.

5. “Above all, Take the Shield of Faith” (vs.16). With this shield we can ward off attacks of the enemy and resist any darts that the evil one throws our way. Darts of temptations, darts of sin, darts of greed, pride, jealousy, guilt, etc. Keep the shield at all times, and above all remember the power in faith. With it, we can move mountains and accomplish any task with God’s help.

6.  “Take the Helmet of Salvation” (vs.17). If we don’t wear our helmet, then we don’t have anything protecting our heads, and our minds are an open target for Satan to entice. Bad thinking and distressful thoughts can target you and get you down. Don’t let Satan get a foothold in this area. Be on guard. Wear the helmet of Salvation. This helmet is our Salvation. When we truly give our lives over to Lord, we can rest in Him and the gift that he has given us.

7.  “Take the Sword of the Spirit” (vs.17). Our sword is the Word of God. This is a weapon that we need to get skillful at using. It is the weapon that Jesus used against the devil when he was tempted after a forty day fast. We need to be reading it and understanding it in order to use it for our survival. Get acquainted with the Book!

8.  “Praying Always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit” (vs.18). Not only are we told what armor to wear, but we are also told what our attitude should be. Part of our survival depends on our praying with sensitivity to the Spirit, which can only come about by living holy lives.

9.  “Be Watchful to this End with all Perseverance and Supplication for all the Saints” (vs.18). We cannot survive alone. Our survival is entangled with other Christians. We should look out for other Christians, fellowship with them, and keep them in prayer.

Far too often many Christians leave the house ‘naked’ and unprepared for battle. Think if a Roman solider left for war without wearing a piece of his garment. Chances are, he would die in the battle field, and so to it is with many Christians today. They are dying in the battle field because they fail to wear their spiritual armor. My friends, we are in a spiritual war! And we need to be prepared!

In addition I want to encourage you to pray the spiritual armor over yourself each day. Pray these Scriptures when you wake up. Pray them as a reminder, and pray them in preparation for the battle ahead. Be ready for anything, and most of all, put on that ’survival gear.’ 

Lord, we need you now more than ever. Strengthen and protect us with your armor. Teach us to use each piece appropriately. Help us to pray for America and our self. Reveal yourself to the world that they may be saved. In Jesus’ name AMEN! 

Filed under: BIBLICAL ANSWERS, DEVOTIONS Tagged: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, Christian, Christianity, God, gospel of peace, helmet of salvation, Jesus Christ, Prayer, shield of faith, spiritual battle, spiritual warfare, sword of spirit, the armor of God

Vine of Life News, your premier Christian news source.