Spiritual Warfare II

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Today's Passage: Ephesians 6: 10-18
Memory Verses: Eph. 6: 11 and 13

The topic of spiritual warfare may seem to be one that is often talked about, but you'd be surprised to know how many believers actually go through their lives day in and day out, defeated with seemingly no answers.  Even totally devoted Christians who have a strong relationship with the Lord walk around "armed and dangerous" to all the host of heaven: but they themselves don't know it.  Our objective for this week is to activate your weapons, which have already been given to you.

In addition to standing firm in the strength of the Lord and knowing who your enemies are, you've got to put on your armor -- the whole armor-- if you want to be an effective prayer warrior.  The amazing thing about this armor is that it's one size fits all.  It's nothing like what David experienced when he was preparing to fight the giant.  Your armor could never be too big or small for you to wear.  It's invisible to all human eyes, but angels as well as demons can see it from miles away.

Part of the armor is the belt of TRUTH -- the truth of God's Word that never changes with situations.  If you want your prayers to be effective for the people you're praying for, remember that it does not matter what the problem is.  God's truth has a solution already in place.  There's nothing too big or small that the Word cannot be applied to.  You just have to apply it.  Another powerful part of your armor is the breastplate of righteousness, which only the blood of Jesus and the word of your testimony can activate.  If you've asked Jesus into your heart, and live for Him daily, the enemy cannot use people to get to your heart.  You will not be moved by every contrary wind, and the prayers you pray for yourself and others will be based on the Word, not emotions.

Next, don't forget that on your feet you must be wearing the shoes of the gospel of peace.  Remember our discussion last week about unity and being joined?  There's no way you can do that with power if you are walking in strife of any kind.  If you're praying for salvation for family members, or asking God to bring church members closer to Himself, God may be planning on using your walk to draw them.  But will He be able to trust your walk?  As a matter of fact, if any of us are holding iniquity (grudges, unforgiveness, anger, malice, etc.) in our hearts, those warfare prayers will go no higher than the ceiling.  As you can see so far, spiritual warfare goes hand in hand with a life and a heart of devotion to God as well as unity with our brothers and sisters.  Let's all pray that we do our best not to leave home without these parts of our armor.

Prayer:  Father, thank You for seeing how much I would need protection from the enemy long before I gave my heart to You.  I make a decision today to put on the whole armor so that I can stand against every scheme he has planned for me.  I also begin to lift up my sisters and brothers.  I declare that they, too, will begin to be "armed and dangerous" to the kingdom of darkness. I speak victory into all our lives today and everyday.  In Jesus' mighty Name, Amen.