When a man or woman prepares for war they have to be just that, prepared. They have to have on the appropriate clothes, the right body gear and have usable weapons. They know, or they should know, that it would be crazy, irresponsible, and a death sentence to walk into a fight unprepared. What good would it do for them to have a gun with no bullets, a shield that is cracked or not strong enough to withstand or a bulletproof vest that won’t stop bullets? What sense would it make to jump into battle without being strong enough to endure it?
Well this is what happens every day when we, Christians, go out into battle without our gear and being unprepared. Yea, I know you got a bible in your car, but if you never blow the dust off of it and open it, it’s ultimately worthless. Luke 12:35 says “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.” God has equipped us with all that we need to handle the battles of this world, but we choose not to prepare ourselves for when the battle is at hand. It is like you getting up in the morning and looking out the window to see the clouds forming. You then turn on the news which states there is a 90% chance of rain but you still leave the house without a raincoat, rain boots, umbrella or jacket because you are looking at the 10% chance that it won’t. But then the rain starts and you have nothing to shield you from the drops that are soaking your hair, clothes and shoes and now your jeans are so heavy from the rain that you can barely move your legs. But had you prepared yourself before leaving home, you would have been covered and no matter how much rain falls, it’ll roll off of you like water does oil.
Ephesians 6:11 says “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” This says the full armor of God, not partial or some but the full. But we’ve become so fast paced that we don’t have time to properly prepare ourselves. But let me give you the necessary pieces to make sure you are prepared for war, the war of this world, the devil and his imps and the attacks that he sends. For the bible tells us that our fight will not be against man itself because in Ephesians 6:12 it says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Here are the 5 things I’ve found that will help you defeat the enemy.
- A belt of truth around your waist (Ephesians 6:14). What good is it to lie when the truth shall set you free? I’ve found that it’s easier to remember the truth because it never changes rather than a lie that you’ll soon forget. Grandma always says that the little lies will send you hell quick. I don’t know about you but I refuse to live in Hell to die and then be sentenced to eternity there. Proverbs 11:3 says “Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.”
- A breastplate of righteousness. A breastplate is usually made of metal that is place to protect the chest area of your body and righteousness is defined as acting in accord with divine or moral law being free from guilt or sin. This breastplate protects your heart and other vital organs from things that are thrown at you that are meant to kill or do bodily harm. You know how folk lie on you, walk away or all over you, or wish bad things on your life. But you have to first remove that badge of guilt and that patch of sin that is keeping you exposed to the evil darts that are being thrown your way. Then you’ll be able to cover your chest with God’s word that tells us to love our brothers, to pray for our enemies and to forgive those who have hurt us in the past. Whatever guilt you have over whatever situation, turn it over to God and let him work it out.
- A helmet of salvation. Salvation is being delivered from sin and the power and effects it has. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Isn’t that all you need to know? That you can wear a helmet of salvation if you ask for it because God says, yes you’ve sinned but I’ll forgive you of those sins if you just ask me. Yes, you’ve fallen a few times but I’ll raise you back up if you ask. Yes, you’ve back slid into the world, but I’ll pull you back out if you reach out your hand. Yes, you’ve ask for it many times before but I’ll keep forgiving you if you keep asking. (enough said)
- A sword of the spirit. Now, this isn’t your normal sword but this is God’s word. You know that book that is usually in the back window of your car that has been there so long the sun has changed the color of the pages or the one that is in your trunk that you keep throwing stuff on top of or the one that is home on your bookshelf that you walk past every day. Yea, that one. A sword is a weapon that is used for cutting and inflicting pain, when used in a fighting manner. Well, if this is the case, why don’t we use God’s sword more rather than our mouth? I’ve come to realize that God can hurt folk worse than I can. It is written in Romans 12:19 “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Still don’t believe me, read Deuteronomy 32:35 which God says “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” So why are you still trying to fight a losing battle? I know that they’ve hurt you and you want to get them back and folk have walked away and now you’re bitter and wishing bad on their life; but it’s only hurting you. Take God at his word when he says that he’ll handle this fight that you’re in. Didn’t he give David strength to defeat Goliath and Samson strength to destroy those that held him captive? Why, because they asked. Then why are you constantly standing on the front line of a fight that keeps knocking you down? Eventually, if you keep trying to fight by yourself, you will get worn out and then your enemy will knock you out.
- Prayer. Ephesians 6:18 says “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Prayer works every time. When you tired of being lied on, when you can’t see your way, when you are hurt, sick and even when you are weak, pray! Romans 8:26 says “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Haven’t you heard the expression, if I couldn’t say a word I’ll just wave my hand? If we are sincere in our asking and in our prayers, God hears even when we can’t say a word. Because he is there, seeing the trouble that we are facing and he’ll be there to help us through it if we let him in.
We will face battles every day of our life because it has been promised but God won’t leave us to battle it alone. He has given us a step by step guide to handle these battles but we have to be willing to open it and read it. If you buy a piece of furniture that needs to be assembled, the only way to properly put it together right is by reading the instructions. Living your life and winning the battles of the world are the same. You have the instructions right in front of you, but you have to open them. If you don’t know where to find them, go to your local Wal-Mart, Christian book store or online and ask for the Bible. It comes in many different versions and languages to help you understand in order to properly prepare you for battle. This war you are in may be getting the best of you now, but it isn’t over yet and you still have a chance of winning it. Bible – Basic Instructions on Beating Life’s Enemies
Lakisha, the Author 