"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the
power of His might. 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 heavenly places. Therefore, 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; 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 6:10-18 (emphasis added)Every
element of that "soldier" is defense, not offense, except the sword
of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Satan cannot withstand the Word of
God. And it is he which we war against, in the world, but primarily, in our own
flesh. The Christian fights a losing battle without the WHOLE armor of God; the
most important being the Word of God.
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy
faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking
for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 20-21 (emphasis added)
The
battle is to sanctify God's possession…OURSELVES! It is not territories or
properties that we defend. It is ourselves. God does not need us to conquer the
world. We must conquer our flesh; "For I know
that in me (that is, IN MY FLESH) nothing good dwells; for to will is present
with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I
will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if
I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in
me." Romans 7:18-20 (emphasis added)
David
said, "Your Word have I hidden in my heart
that I may not sin against you." Psalm 119:11Having
God's Word at our command is not only a spiritual weapon against darkness and
evil, but a mighty fortress. We must observe that this is not a fight against
politics, or race, or culture, but a war against the most powerful force in
this evil world… satan himself; And God reminds us, "The
battle is the Lord's." 1 Samuel 17:47
"Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 9
Jesus
STOOD His ground 40 days in the wilderness. His DEFENSE against satan? The Word
of God. He overcame the temptations of satan with Scripture!
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we
beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace
and truth." John 1:14
"For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper
than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and
of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart." Hebrews 4:12
"He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my DEFENSE; I
shall not be greatly moved." Psalm 62:2
"My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my SHIELD and the
horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from
violence. " 2 Samuel 22:3
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you
shall take refuge; His TRUTH shall be your SHIELD. Psalm 91:4
"Every WORD of God is flawless; He is a SHIELD to those who
take refuge in Him." Proverbs 30:5
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