“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.”
Ephesians 6:12
“We wrestle not against flesh and blood,” said the apostle, Paul. Yet, at times tempers flare up to where believers are at war with one another, and it becomes physical. Fighting over parking places, over food, and even clothing. Politeness and respect have gone out the door. Darkness seems to grow around our surroundings. The news hour is full of those who hate others, killings, and theft. Some are even rejoicing over what is happening. These actions are of the children of disobedience [see Ephesians 2:2]. These are those who are fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind.
The inner life of a believer is to walk worthy before the Lord and men. In Chapter six of Ephesians, Paul is addressing the warrior’s armor for the believer. Paul states the following.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11
We need to heed the scripture and put on the armour of God and pray to stand against the wiles of the devil. Wiles meaning to entice, deceive, and manipulate into doing something that is not right before God. We are to walk honestly, not in strife and envying. We are to put on the whole armor of God as is stated in Ephesians chapter six in order to withstand the evil that is happening every day.
We are to carry with us the truth of the Gospel. The breastplate of righteousness, which we have in Christ. Our feet shod for the preparation of the gospel of peace. Christ is our peace.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
Jesus said let not your heart be troubled or afraid.
“Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.” Psalms 107:13
It is the shield of faith that will bring us through our distresses and God will deliver us from destructions [ see verse 20 of Psalms 107].
Faith in Christ Jesus is our shield. This is how we quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. We have the helmet of salvation, which is our protective covering from harm, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We stand strong in the Lord when we read the word of God every day and mediate on its meaning. This is how we are sanctified. Jesus said, “the light of the body is the eye,” [Luke 11:35]. If your eye is single, it is full light and not darkness. We are to take heed what our own eye sees.
“Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.” Luke 11:35
Make sure that you yourself are not drawn to darkness. Stand firm in the foundation of the Lord. We wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Our resource is the word of God and prayer. We rebuke the evil spirits at work and cast down every imagination that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, [see 2 Corinthains 10:5].
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18
We pray in the Spirit and watch with perseverance God’s intervention. We give thanks to the Lord always for His protective care.
Listen to Pilgrims Journey taken from Ephesians chapter six or visit Inge Schultz Music and read the post about it.
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:15
Are you ready for the “Gospel of Peace?” Is peace in your heart and soul? It should be, for if you are a Christian, you have the “Gospel of Peace” residing within you. The “Gospel of Peace” is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God. “He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us,” Ephesians 2:14. Through the blood of Jesus we become a new man whereby we can have peace. There is no longer a barrier between man and God. Jesus reconciled both himself and man unto God.
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”
Ephesians 2:15
Our justification does not come through the law of commandments, it comes through faith in Jesus Christ. If your justification comes through the law, you will be under the curse of the law, for the law cannot save you and bring you peace. In Galatians 3, verse 10 states, “for it is written, cursed is everyone that continued not in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” The very next verse states that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, for the just shall live by faith. The law is not of faith. [See Galatians 3:10-12]. The law is not under the grace of God. If you are working to obtain righteousness you are under the curse. If you are working to be a good person, you nullify the gospel of Christ death on the cross. Many are placing themselves under the law instead of under God’s grace. If you want to be free of the demons in your own life, you must believe in Jesus as the son of God who died for our sins and has set us free from the curse of the law of sin and death. It is by the Holy Spirit that man is changed into a new creation in Christ Jesus.
“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Old things are passed away, all things become new. When Spring comes to the land the seed that was in the ground has died or become dormant through the winter. Now through the warmth of the sun and rain the seed will spring forth a new stem where a bud will blossom. The sun and rain are the word of God and the Holy Spirit working through man to bring forth a new creation in Christ. I am so relieved that I do not have to work in my flesh to become perfect, or to even work out those things in my character that are flawed. I asked God through prayer to work it out of me. I must die to self in order to allow the spirit of Christ to flow through me and change me. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness, then we must believe also. The promise was made to Abraham through the seed [Jesus Christ] that God would justify the Gentiles through faith, and not the law.
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is everyone that hanged on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
Galatians 3:13-14
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. No one is able to keep the law. We will fail the commandment of the law to sin, no matter how hard we try. The burden of the law is laid down at the cross where Jesus took it upon himself. The law concluded all under sin [see Galatians 3:22. The only way of escape was through faith in Christ Jesus. There is no ritual that can take away the sin of man.
Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein, which are offered by the law.”
Hebrews 10:8
God takes no pleasure in them since he only looks upon his son as the only sacrifice for the offering of sin. No flesh by the works of the law is justified. The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Christ is our peace between God and man. Christ became our righteousness and justification. We are under the new covenant of grace where the Spirit pours into our hearts and minds to make a new creation in Christ Jesus. Are you a new creation in Christ Jesus? Are you living in a new way? Have you let go your old nature for the new nature in Christ? Has Christ made you free from the yoke of bondage? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to produce in you the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control? It is time to put on Christ and let go the yoke of bondage of being under the law. We must put on our shoes for the Gospel of Peace. Shoes [Christ] are the protection and comfort of your walk in this life.
Christ who has redeemed you will give you the desire to testify of himself. Opportunities will come for you to speak about your own conversion or how you were saved. Are you ready to testify or even preach the Gospel of Christ? God will send out preachers, for how shall anyone believe in him without a preacher.
“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10:15
We need to hear about the peace that Christ brings and also the glad tidings of good things. It could be that He is preparing you to go and preach the gospel of peace. If God can send me, a woman to a men’s homeless mission to preach the gospel, he can send you too. No one is exempt from giving their testimony of what God has done. God will send people to you to give an answer for the reason of your hope and faith in Christ.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asked you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
1 Peter 3:15
Not everyone will believe what you preach, that is why we carry with us the word of God, the Holy Bible, for faith comes by hearing the word of God. It is God’s will that all would be saved from the curse of the law. Jesus said, “the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest, [Luke 10:2]. Pray that the laborers are sent forth but be ready to speak to anyone who asks you about your hope and faith in Christ. It is time to put on your shoes with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Shalom equals peace, wholeness and completeness. This is what Christ has done for us. Walk in peace and share the gospel of peace.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Ephesians 6:17
We are on the fifth week in the Armor of God series taken from Ephesians chapter 6. If you missed reading any of the first four segments, I would encourage you to do so. The armor of God is the apostle Paul’s way of describing the warrior’s armor that every Christian should be putting on to combat evil every day. We need understanding and wisdom more today in fighting off evil and lust. We need to stay under the protection of God. With the helmet of salvation as our identity in Christ, we now take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. I have not met a single Christian who does not have a personal battle to win. We are fighting the good fight of faith to lay hold of eternal life. We each have our own personal battle to win.
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6:12
We are fighting to keep the faith and not to let go of the author and finisher of our faith. Every Christian is called to have a good profession before witnesses. A good profession is based upon the word of God. We can be like Jesus and say, “it is written,” when we are tempted. Read about what Jesus did in Matthew chapter 4. If you were hungry, would you command the stones to become bread.
It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:4
The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, and it will cut right through the thoughts and the intents of men’s heart. The word of God is the final answer for all human beings since it is the last will and testament of God. The sole purpose is reconciliation to the father God, but also to your brother, sister, mother, father, husband and wife. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation,” [2 Corinthians 5:18]. This is the heart of God that we all be reconciled by Jesus Christ and then to each other. God’s love will cut through hate. Many churches are now observing Lent, a Christian religious observance of the 40 days that Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert and endured the temptation by Satan. Lent is observed by the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, and the Roman Catholic Church. The practice of Lent in earlier times was very ascetic, and to some extent it may still carry a mystical journey. The exercise can be helpful in understanding the weakness of our own body. We cannot work out our own demons or selfish ambitions. We need the Holy Spirits help in releasing those feelings and letting go of them. This is the work of God and the grace of God. That we would know the mercy of God through Christ Jesus.
Let us remember that Jesus Christ was without sin whereas sin is ever present with us every day. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It is through God’s grace that we can receive mercy and repentance through what Jesus did on the cross. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,’ [1 John 1:9-10]. Listen to what else John said.
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself; he that believeth not God hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”
1 John 5:10
If you do not believe, you have no witness, and you will not have the sword of the Spirit. Christ temptation in the wilderness by Satan was the test of his obedience to the Father. Would Christ act independently from his Father? No, Christ was dependent on the Father God, and so should we be dependent on the Father God. That dependence is through the word of God. The word of God becomes the sword of the Spirit. Christ combated Satan by saying “it is written,” thus using the written word of God as the final authority. The spiritual journey is through the word of God. It is the word that teaches us how we should walk in the world today. The word becomes our spiritual lifestyle. We should take the word with us everywhere we go, for it will instruct us how to live a Christian life.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
If you are not spending time in the word of God, you have lost one powerful weapon, the sword of the Spirit. The word of God is described sharper than any two-edged sword. Why? It is because of the Holy Spirit. We can only gain understanding of the word of God through the Spirit. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth,” [ John 16:13]. If you are a believer, then you have His spirit living with you, for He has promised not to leave you comfortless, [see John 14:18]. Just look at verse 20 of chapter 14 of John, “I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” What mystery is this conveying? Is this not a relationship? We never walk alone, for the Holy Spirit is with us at all times. This is the mystery of the body of Christ. We belong to Christ for He has bought us with a price. Christ prayed to the Father to send the Comforter to abide with us. In John chapter 14, verse 26, Jesus said, “But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance.” As you read the word of God the Spirit is teaching you and reminding you of things that pertain to you personally. Dividing and discerning what is in your own heart and to change that heart of stone into the heart of love.
Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
Ephesians 5:2
Walk in love as Christ has loved us. Christ who has willingly atoned for our sins. We are not to serve sin, for our old man was crucified with Christ that sin might be destroyed. This is how we became a new creation in Christ Jesus. Sin is ever present in the world today. Therefore, we need the word of God to discern our heart and mind so that we can be changed into image of Christ. This will build up our faith in God, for faith comes by hearing the word of God, [see Romans 10:17]. We must hold the word as truth in our lives. We must experience God through his word by the Holy Spirit. You must have a hunger for the word in order to receive its revelations. I have read that Smith Wigglesworth stated that the Bible was the only book he would read. He did not allow newspapers into his home. How astonishing and surprised I was to read about this. Wigglesworth sole learning was from the Bible as the word of God. Can we see its importance when we read what God said to Joshua after the death of Moses.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Joshua 1:8
Meditate in the word day and night, so that your soul and heart may be changed into the image of Christ. As you observe the word of God, your way will become prosperous. I have always loved going on spiritual retreats, for it was the opportunity of spending more time in the word of God to learn, grow, and have our eyes opened to new revelations. These revelations were not always joyful, sometimes it was painful due to personal demons that an individual had to deal with. As you spend time in the word, God will reveal your weaknesses in your own life. As he reveals it, we then repent. This is putting to death the deeds of the body that would allow sin to reign in our life. We learn also to bear on one another’s burden by praying for healing and for the Spirits intervention to fulfill the law of Christ. As God told Joshua not to depart from the book of the law, so shall we not depart from the Holy Bible, which is the sword of the Spirit. This sword of the Spirit will pierce our heart for it reveals the weaknesses of humanity and the way it can be saved. Continue in the word of God and hold it close to your heart.
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Ephesians 6:16
The shield of faith is what you will use to be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. The wicked are those who are against what you stand for. They are those who stand against Christ and who are cruel and bent on warfare. Those who bully and oppress others and worship themself, these are the ones who are wicked. We see the physical evidence in our environment or hear about it every day in the news. Some form of violence is being lashed out among humanity today. What is a Christian to do under such circumstances? The apostle Paul tells us first of all that we should be praying always. The second thing while praying we should be asking God to help us be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Do you have the faith to lift up your shield or stand strong behind your shield? Have you fully put your trust in God? Is God your hiding place and your shield? Holding the shield up is based upon trust. Just look at the two verses below at who is the shield.
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
Proverbs 30:5
“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.”
Psalms 119:114
What did David do under an environment of violence. He prayed and played his harp but stood strong in the Lord. He was not ashamed of his hope, for his hope was in God and He learned about the importance of keeping the commandments of God. Can we stand on the word of God alone?
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live and let me not be ashamed of my hope.”
Psalms 119:114
Is God your hiding place and shield? Do we hope in His word? I pray that we do have a hiding place and shield in God and that He is our hope. That we do believe in His word because if we do not, we are in danger of losing our soul to the devil. We must remember that we have all fall short of the glory of God because of sin. Whatever is not of faith is sin. In the latter days the apostle Paul warns in 1 Timothy chapter four, verse one, that some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. It is hard to believe that some will depart from the faith we have in Christ, especially to seducing spirits and other doctrines of demons. Other doctrines that sound good but do not follow the character of Christ, or who he is. Jesus said in Matthew 15:9, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” The doctrines of men who would turn you away from the truth of the gospel. That is why it is important not to lay hands on those who are not seasoned in the Lord. In 1 Timothy chapter five, verse 22, it states to “lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partakers of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” Keep thyself pure and ask God for wisdom into all circumstances so that you do not partake in another’s men’s sins.
Keep yourself pure and beware of alterior motives. A hidden purpose that is behind an organization to change current social positions to a new one due to new policies. It has been said that all too frequently immature and inexperienced Christians are placed in positions of responsibility. I remember how certain denominations forced elderly pastors to resign their position to make room for the young students who have graduated seminary school. I witnessed how these young pastors were compromised in their own faith and many ended up being disillusioned in their own position as a pastor. Today, this position has taken on a world view for employment rather than a spiritual view of feeding the sheep. We must remember that the ministry of the Gospel is a ministry of reconciliation. It is in believing in the Gospel of Christ that we have rest and peace in our life. We cannot enter into rest any other way but by faith in the son of God.
If we have unbelief in our life, then we do not have the shield of faith to ward off the fiery darts of the wicked. We fall under the oppression of the wicked. Our hope is gone. We must remember to whom we placed our hope in.
faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.“
Hebrews 11:1
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
Hebrews 11:3
Our hope must be in God the maker of heaven and earth. Our hope must be in God who love the world that He gave us His only son, for it is Christ who gives us everlasting life. It is Jesus who will finish the work of God in our life. How profound is that! That things not seen would come into being under the power of God. Our example is Jesus since he is the author and finisher of our faith. In Hebrews chapter 12 verses one and two, says that we should run with patience the race that is set before us and to look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. As a human being we can so easily lose patience over difficult circumstances. We must have hope that God will intervene at the right moment on our behalf, for it is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man,” [Psalms 118:8]. Man will fail us, but the Lord’s compassions will never fail us.
“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”
Lamentations 3:22
We act upon the conviction of our faith, we will achieve its end result, which is the will of God. This is our confidence that we have in God. We cannot trust ourselves, but we can trust God to move on our behalf. We can trust God to be our shield of faith because we believe in his son who became the author and finisher of our faith. Help us Lord to run with patience the race that is set before us and to hold up the shield of faith that is Jesus. Hold me Lord according to thy word, that I may live and let me not be ashamed of my hope in thee. Give us the boldness to speak of thy love and compassion and let our faith grow everyday as we take up the shield of faith so the fiery darts of the wicked fall to the ground. Let us see that this is the evidence of things not seen at present but will come to pass in the end.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
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.”
1 Thessalonians 5:8
Let us put on the helmet of salvation, stated the apostle Paul, along with the breastplate of faith and love. What does it mean to put on the helmet of salvation. The apostle Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, and he knew all about the importance of citizenship and protection. Did you know that the Roman helmet has two purposes? I have read that the Roman Centurion Soldier who put on their helmet was distinct in that it not only protected the head, but that the helmet identified who the soldier belonged to. The crests of plumes made from horsehair, was dyed red. This gave the Roman soldier their identity and during battle they were recognized by the color of their plumes. When we put on the helmet of salvation, we are not only identified with Christ, but we are citizens also with the saints, and of the household of God, [see Ephesians 2:19]. Everyone has a lineal descent from a single ancestor, but for some their citizenship has been taken away by a specific law. Those who struggle with some kind of an identity crisis will understand how the truth of their identity is linked to their parents as far as nationality. Inherited traits come from our parents and the desire of knowing where they came from is the link to the past to their ancestry. The apostle Paul knew who he was in that he stated that he was a Roman citizen and a Jew. Besides being a Roman citizen and a Jew, Paul was now also a Christian. Do you know who you are? Are you a citizen of the household of God?
Let us take note how Paul identifies himself in chapter 3, verse one of Ephesians, “I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.” A prisoner of Jesus Christ! Paul was captured by Christ. Paul’s conversion was such a reality of truth that Paul himself was astonished. Let us remember that Paul was persecuting Christians and the voice he heard from heaven said, “I am Jesus, whom thou persecuted,” [Acts 9:5]. Persecution takes on all kinds of shapes for it is linked to physical, social, mental, and spiritual hostility and the ill-treatment of others. It is the constant badgering and poking holes into someone’s identity. Yet, God had a purpose for Paul. Paul was God’s chosen vessel to teach who Christ is to the Gentiles and to the Children of Israel. Jesus Christ is the son of God, thus maintaining the Deity of Jesus [Acts 9:20]. They did not know that they had crucified the Lord of glory. Paul who had the scales fall from his eyes was filled with the Holy Spirit, received his sight and was baptized. Paul began to preach Christ in the synagogues. This was God’s plan and not Paul’s plan and it gave us the message of the gospel of Christ.
We may wonder what plan we are following. Is it God’s or our own plan?
Ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy ways be established.“
Proverbs 4:26
As we look straight before us, we should ponder the path we are on. We should be removing the foot of evil as is stated in Proverbs 4:27. Our path is one of truth and righteousness as children of God. No matter what our environment may be, there are those who are being harassed into doing something that they rather not do. Be careful you do not lose your soul by what you are being forced to do. We must have our eyes open to see the truth of any situation and not fall prey to the situation we find ourselves in. God’s love is deep, and he really does care for each of us. He sent his son to prove his love toward us in that we can be freed from the bondage of sin. Salvation means death to and freedom from sin. This is restoration. Can you believe that he has predestine us to adoption as children through Jesus Christ himself? God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself.”
Ephesians 1:4-5
Christ was made sin for us in that he took our sins to the cross in order that we might be reconciled to God. Have you seen the salvation of God? Do you have the knowledge of salvation for the remission of your sins?
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all of them that obey him.”
Hebrews 5:9
Christ being made perfect became the author of eternal salvation because he obeyed God. Eternal salvation means deliverance, preservation and healing for all those who believe in Christ as the son of God. Eternal salvation through the death of Christ gives us the power of God to have our own guilt from sin removed. We also are being saved from the habit of sin and its dominion. This I find extortionary and yet many Christians have not seen the reality of this in their own life. However, Paul had this reality of truth in his own life in that he was changed by the power of God and become an apostle and no longer persecuted Christians. Listen to what he states to the Roman Christians.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Romans 1:16
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for he himself experienced the power of God unto salvation. Have you experienced the power of God unto salvation? This is an experience and is not to be taken lightly. When I was lost in the city of Perth in Western Australia, I did not know how to get back home. I truly was lost. At one point I had stopped walking and heard his voice telling me that I had to go back home. I told God that I was lost and could not find my way back home. I was standing on a sidewalk not knowing where I was and praying to God with my eyes closed. I was a teenager who was running away from home. The power of God translated me to another place, or at least I thought this is what happened. Only God knows for sure. When I opened my eyes, I knew where I was and made my way home. This was the power of God unto salvation. This was the purpose of God that I would someday find salvation. It took two years after this incident that I found Christ, the son of God who was crucified for my sins. The power of God came upon me again when I asked him for forgiveness of my own sins. The burden of guilt was removed from my heart. A Christian is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin. It is the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that hath set me free from the law of sin and death [see Romans 8:2]. Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed stated James 1:14. We are being tempted almost every day and Paul tell us the following:
There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
God is faithful when we put on the helmet of salvation, for Jesus is the author of eternal salvation. Our identity is in Christ Jesus and God is faithful to those who believe. God knows our heart and is even faithful to those who have not heard who Jesus is. This is the grace of God that He will help us through in our time of need. As children of light, let us watch and be sober-minded and put on the helmet of salvation every day for the power of God to keep us from the evil one and from being drawn away by our own lust.
Stand, therefore, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.
Ephesians 6:14
The breastplate of righteousness is to guard our heart against vise, evil, and sin. For an evil man will have a criminal behavior and will practice hypocrisy. The truth of who we are as a person is revealed in that we are imperfect in some way because we tend to gravitate towards evil instead of having a pure mind and heart before God and man. We cannot be truthful to our self, or our neighbor. That is why it is important to put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. There are so many books today that expose human beings as anything but truthful and righteous. Any kind of law proves how humans desire to follow lawlessness rather than the established rules of the law. The political battle is ongoing to establish what the human race believes in. The apostle Paul remarks and informs those in Ephesus that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against power, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, [Ephesians 6:12]. Does this speak to the decay of man’s heart and how it is spiraling down towards death. Who can control man’s heart without understanding a man’s spirit. No one can know another man’s heart unless it is revealed.
For what man knows the things of a man, except the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:11
Today, the mask is worn by many to maintain an outward appearance of being righteous, but the heart is far from righteousness. Jesus said, “that which cometh out of the man, that defiled the man,” [Mark 7:20]. Jesus then goes on and lists what comes out of the heart of man.
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Mark 7:21-23
Man’s heart is revealed by what comes out of his own mouth. We have all sinned before God and man. We are all guilty and the apostle Paul tells us so in Romans chapter 3 verse 10, “as it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.” We must stand only in Christ righteousness and not our own. Righteousness is the gift that God has given us through Jesus Christ, [see Romans 5:17].
Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
Romans 5:18-19
Judgment came upon all men to condemnation but through Christ came righteousness which is the free gift to all men. A free gift that we all can receive through faith in Christ, who is the son of God, and who died for our sins. Christ atoned us from the evil of sin. Christ is the perfect sacrifice for the cleaning of man’s heart. Christians should not dishonor God by boasting how good they are when they have received the gift of righteousness from Christ. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to those who believe, [see Romans 10:4]. Through Christ righteousness, we can live in this life as the children of God. As children of God, His righteousness works through us to bring peace within our own hearts which brings the assurance that we will walk knowing that our conscience has been washed with the truth of who He is. Righteousness is sowed through the mercy of God. We must continue to seek the Lord until his righteousness is upon us. The ground is broken up and left for a time until the soil is fertile before the seed is planted. We are the planting of the Lord God.
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”
Hosea 10:12
Righteousness is linked to the truth of Jesus Christ. For his “righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and His law is the truth,” [see Psalms 119:142]. Because it is an everlasting righteousness, we can stand in assurance when we put on the breastplate of righteousness. We stand in His righteousness because it is pure, honest, and good. This is the ministry of reconciliation in that we have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. We are putting on the breastplate of righteousness that Christ has given us as a gift. As believer’s we now live through the Spirit of life due to Christ righteousness. It is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that has made us free from the law of sin and death, [Romans 8:2]. Therefore, through the Spirit we restrain the deeds of the body and lay it down at the feet of Jesus. We remember that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, [Romans 8:1]. If we have accepted Christ as truth, then we have accepted His righteousness. Through Christ there is peace with man and God.
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness shall, quietness and assurance forever.”
Isaiah 32:17
The work of righteousness is by faith in Christ Jesus. We become the trees of righteousness through faith, and we become laborer’s together with God, [1 Corinthians 3:9]. When it comes to sharing, preaching, or teaching the word of God, we are all one in the Lord. It does not matter who is planting the body of Christ or who is watering it, for it belongs to the Lord and only He will give the increase. We should be concerned in how we build upon the foundation of Christ. We should not be ignorant and build upon our own righteousness which does not profit anyone. Those who build upon their own righteousness have not submitted unto the righteousness of God. They have not accepted God’s gift to the world, which is Jesus Christ. Let us remember that it is Christ who is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes, [Romans 10:3-4]. Christ righteousness is the way to peace.
The way of peace they know not; and there is no justice in their goings; they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth in them shall not know peace.”
Isaiah 59:8
Is there justice in your path? Do you know the way to peace? We should remember the words of Christ himself.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27
The world cannot give us peace, only God gives us peace when we have committed our life into His hands through prayer and supplications as is stated in Philippians chapter 4, in verses 4 through 7. We have the peace of God that passed all understanding because our hearts and minds are kept in Jesus Christ. The breastplate on a warrior’s armor protects the vital organs such as the heart and lungs from death. Our heart is shielded by God. In Psalms chapter 5 and in verse 12, it says that the Lord will bless the righteous with favor and will encompass him as with a shield. Let us remember also the words of James that the works and fruit of righteousness is always sown in peace.
The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 3:18
When we stand having the breastplate of righteousness, we stand in Christ because we have put on the Lord Jesus Christ and we do not make provision for the flesh to fulfill it, [see Romans 13:14]. The armor that we put on becomes the armor of light. It is the armor of His light that allows us to cast off the works of darkness, [see Romans 13:12]. May God give you knowledge and wisdom to the truth of his righteousness.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.”
Ephesians 6:14
The word truth has in recent years taken a beating in that everyone has their own truth to live by. Does it matter what truth you live by? That is the question of the day, however, so many people are being deceived that it becomes difficult to determine the validity of truth. The Greek word “Aletheia” for truth is the discloser of revealing something that is not hidden. That is, it is the reality of the revealed evidence of a situation. Nothing is hidden, and all things are revealed. Some people live in a fake reality, for they are not willing to see the real truth about something. They are deceived by fraud or counterfeit. When Covid-19 arrived in the world, many did not believe it was real. Today, the US has the largest amount of death for Coronavirus recorded at 1,012,833 by Johns Hopkins University and national public health agencies last July of 2022. When Covid arrived in the US, misinformation and unbelief ran rapid on social media sites that the reality of it set up the stage for deception. We have scientific proof that Covid is real, yet many choose to not believe it.
For a Christian anything that is not of Christ becomes a counterfeit. Denying who Jesus is means you are imitating something else. When you go to great length to imitate something authentic, with the intent to steal, destroy, or replace the original, you are defrauding. The truth for the Christian is the word of God, which is the Bible. Jesus prayed that those who are his disciples would be sanctified through the truth of the word [see John 17:17]. Jesus said also to the Jews who believed him, that if they continue in His word, that they are His disciples and “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” [John 8:32]. Jesus said to Thomas, one of the twelve disciples, the following;
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6
I am the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is the way and the truth. Do you believe that He is the truth? Our foundation is Jesus Christ who is the chief corner stone that has been laid to which all who believe are fitted into the frame of the building unto a holy temple of God, [see Ephesians 2:20-22]. We are one body in Christ being built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit. We are living stones built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, [1Peter 2:5]. Praise God! We do not stand alone. We stand in Christ who is the way and the truth.
When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine and shall show it unto you.
John16:13-14
Everything points to Jesus Christ for He is the foundation in which we live. We have the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of truth to guide us into all truth. The Spirit of truth will always point to Christ and no one else. Any other spirit is of the antichrist. Knowing who Christ is gives the one who believes confidence. There is no doubt in the believer’s position. The apostle John affirms that no lie is of the truth. “Who is a liar but he that denied that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denied the Father and the Son,” [1 John 2:22].
The armor of God begins with the foundation for truth where nothing is hidden.
When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. He that covered his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.”
Proverbs 28:12-13
One who has integrity is being honest. This means that they have a clear conscience before man and God. Have you renounced the hidden things of dishonesty? If you have not, then pray and confess it before God. Ask God to help you change into the image of Christ and forsake those actions that cause you to sin.
“For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endured to all generations.”
Psalms 100:5
His mercy is everlasting, and His truth will endure to all generations. Praise His Holy Name. We are standing on a firm foundation. Have you heard of the hymn titled, “How Firm a Foundation?” Listen to this new rendition of this hymn and be blessed.
Remember always to Stand having your loins girt about with truth, which is Jesus Christ.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11
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 armor of light exclaims the apostle Paul in Romans 13:12. I have not heard anyone preach about putting on the armor of light, but I have heard preaching about the armor of God. A warrior is one who specializes in combat. The term warrior may bring back thoughts of the Middle Ages when the Roman Catholic Church brought an order of knights to a religious military order known as the Crusaders. What does it mean to be a Christian warrior? First of all, let us remember that a real soldier has had hours of basic training in combat warfare and have learned all about the enemy tactics. The Spirit-filled believer knows that their helper comes from the Lord God. They walk in the spirit and not in the personal desires of their own flesh. They have set themselves aside for the Lord’s service. A Christian knows what defiles a man.
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.“
Mark 7:22
A Christian may battle their own demons when it comes to their own heart. These personal battles must be fought through personal prayers through the Spirit and released in order for the Holy Spirit to rule a believer’s life. The Christian warfare that he or she fights, is a battle against spiritual wickedness in high places as Paul tells us in Ephesians chapter 6 in verse 12.
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.
Ephesians 6:12
First of all, our battle is not against flesh and blood in the natural world. This means we do not fight in the physical against anyone. This can be a hard thing to do since we are driven by emotions to fight in the physical by what we feel emotionally. A Christian puts their life in God’s hand and does not walk alone. The Holy Spirit is with them every step of the way when their eyes are upon the Lord. The battleground is the world, for not everyone is a Christian and will go their own way by following their own will. Paul tells us the fight is in high places which means in the heavenlies. This means that it is a spiritual battle that is taking place for the souls of men in this world. This may include Christians who are not walking in the will of God.
For example, I can remember how accusations can take place among the body in the church where certain individuals went against an individual and wanted to take them down from all authority within the church. I can remember sitting in a meeting when those in leadership wanted me to not befriend this individual. Let me make it clear that our Lord stands on our behalf in any battle that is being fought. I sat at this meeting grieving in the Spirit and tears flowed down my face. I could not stop crying. But God knew the heart of these men and women. The accusations were diffused, and the subject changed. It was the Holy Spirit who worked on the minds and heart of the leadership. When you can witness this yourself, you begin to see with new eyes and understand what it means to be in a spiritual battle and what defiles a man.
A warrior must stand in the truth of God’s word and not in any other word. When Paul tells us to stand having our loins girded about with truth [Ephesians 6:14], this means to practice tucking up the longer skirt in order to not be hampered in the battle. In First Peter chapter one in verse 13, Peter states, “grid up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” It is the revelation of Jesus Christ that is the hope of our calling, and it is brought to us by the grace of God. Our minds are to be girded with the truth of Jesus Christ. This will prepare us for the difficult or challenging circumstances in life that we may face. This has been known as the belt of knighthood which symbolizes the purity and honor you have through Christ. Then we put on the breastplate of righteousness as we stand in Christ righteousness and not in our own righteousness.
That I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”
Philippians 3:9
Our righteousness is through faith in Christ Jesus, and it is not our own righteousness. The apostle Paul said, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth,” [see Romans 10:4]. In verse three of Romans Chapter ten Paul explains that Israel was ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, for they have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Let us make sure that we are not working for our own righteousness and become ignorant of God’s righteousness like Israel. It is through faith in Christ only that we received righteousness, and this becomes our breastplate before our feet is shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Are you ready to walk in the gospel of peace? Are you walking in the good news of Jesus Christ who came to bring salvation to all man? This is the everlasting gospel where Jesus died for our sins and was raised up from the dead for our justification. Christ is the object of our faith. Are we ready to preach the good news? Are we ready to testify what Christ has done for us?
What will quench the fiery darts of the wicked? Is it not our faith? Yes, it is the shield of faith in Christ Jesus that will quench the fiery darts of the wicked [see Ephesians 6:16]. Are we ready to walk in Christ in faith and preach the good news to our friend and neighbor? The word is neigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach, states Paul in Romans 10:8. As we take the helmet of our salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. It is Jesus who was perfect and who became the author of eternal salvation to all who would believe and obey [see Hebrews 5:9]. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit for it will discern our thoughts and what is in our hearts.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
The word of God is our sword in every battle that we enter. This is the warrior’s weapon the word of God spoken in truth by the Spirit of God. We must gain revelation to its true meaning in our own life. The apostle Paul was a warrior for God and had the armor of God on and he knew where he stood in Christ. He was hindered from reaching the church at Thessalonians. Paul stated it was Satan that hindered him [see 1 Thessalonians 2:18]. Paul was bold in speaking the gospel of God and it was without deceit [see 1 Thessalonians 2:3]. We can also be hindered by Satan; therefore, we must pray with all prayers and supplication in the Spirit to be unhindered and watch with perseverance and supplication for all saints. Remember the word is neigh thee even in thy mouth. Put on the Lord Jesus, for Jesus is the armor of God. Christ must live inside us, for our victory is in Christ. Whatever battle you may be in, remember you are not alone when you put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Standfast in the Lord who is the victor in every battle. That means you are standing in victory through Christ. Give thanks to the Lord, and “be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s,” [2 Chronicles 20:15].”
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
