Ephesians 6:10-13
The Christian’s Armor
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The whole passage of the Christians armor and our spiritual warfare is extensive and rather detailed. We will take segments of it with each devotional. If this is the first time you have read these verses they can be somewhat alarming. An eye opener for sure. The other challenge could be its application. How do I take what I am reading and apply it to my daily life? I want to review these passages therefore and look to the application of them.
In the last devotion I made a point about hearing The Lord’s voice above all the other voices. Let’s define these voices, or better put “the noise in our head.” It can come from within (our self image) or from without (the opinions of others). In either case they reside within our mind which is our processor and determines whether to accept and confirm, or deny and reject the “voice”. Some of the most common voices deal with whether I am accepted or liked, whether I am pretty enough or likable enough, whether I dress right, whether I can hold my own, or if I am “ok in my own skin.” Beyond that there are relational concerns we carry. We may not forgive ourselves for something we have done in the past. Be it last year or 30 years ago. Also we may have concerns forgiving others or receiving forgiveness from others. We may believe our intelligence is lacking. I know that I was the smartest dummy in my dumbed down math class in high school. I didn’t get math until a senior and by then all my friends were dividing molecules. I learned that I couldn’t win them all and to be OK with that was an important truth to learn.
How we were raised or not raised has so much to do with our internal voice. These “home grown” insecurities can last a lifetime if allowed to. All parents make mistakes in raising their kids. Some just make more and much of that depends on how they were raised. So this is the loudest voice we hear, our own voice. The outside voices only have influence over us because they play on or enhance our own insecurities. T.V. infomercials are designed for this. They expose our insecurities. Unfortunately that is what makes for good advertising. You hear it, you believe it and of course you buy it – goal accomplished. At least for them. For us unless the inside changes these quick outside fixes are at best temporary. The change has to be inside to outside, not outside to inside. It’s CRITICAL that we understand this.
The caterpillar is still a caterpillar until it metamorphosis and becomes a butterfly. Even if you put him in a butterfly outfit and change his outer appearance, he is still a caterpillar. The change occurs internally and once a butterfly it will never be a caterpillar. By God’s Grace and the work of the Holy Spirit we must metamorphosis from thinking, feeling and hearing with our carnal mind and start inputting spiritual truth. God’s Word is the foundation for this. Change the voice, whether it be the repeated tape we’ve heard from childhood or negative input from others, and change will occur.
I diagramed this truth to a high school Bible study group. I drew upon the whiteboard their life, via a stick figure. On one side of my stick figure I listed all the secular voices they heard. Their peers, secular music, carnal movies, T.V shows, and sexual pictures etc., this was their daily “food.” Then on the other side of the stick figure I wrote church and basically Thursday night bible study. Some went to church on Sunday but most slept in. Then I posed the question based on the input which side is going to influence your decisions the most? My next statement shocked them. “So if you girls end up pregnant you will know why. If you boys fail to reign over your sexual drive and become a slave to them, you’ll know why. If you don’t want this scenario then you must change your input.” They were very quiet after that message. I don’t think they ever saw their life from that perspective. However the same truth applies to us as well. List the secular voices you hear. Putting yours at the top. Then list the Godly input you hear and how often. Based on that look at your life. If you struggle and feel overwhelmed or ruled over by outside voices now you know why. If Godly freedom is what you want as a bright light growing in you, then God’s Word must be your source. Christ wants to be the voice in your head. Only he has proven absolute love and forgiveness and possess the power to change us. Why should you or I give control of our life to a lesser passion or influence?
How do we change this? What does Paul say? “Finally brethren (summing up everything) be strong in The Lord, and in the power of His might (how?). Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” This will be our topic for several weeks to come. For now make time for reading the Bible. If you’re not a reader turn to AM 710 via your radio or smart phone, or do both. They have some great teaching.
Father God,
Thank you for letting me understand that not only is change possible, but how to accomplish it. Understanding the influences in my life and their affect on me makes me so much more aware of how I need to guard my input. If I allow junk in junk will come out. Let me not do that but rather the truth of Your Word. Thank you and Amen.
Move Forward in His Grace,
Arthur