Are You Prepared?

If you are a follower of Christ, you either have or more than likely will face spiritual battles. The battles will not be easy, but will pull at every ounce of your flesh to fight the worldly way. They will put your faith and trust in the Lord to the test. They will determine, who do you call out to? Whose words do you hold claim to? Who do you try and glorify?

This morning, I faced a spiritual battle in a relationship with someone I am very close to. It was ugly and it was painful.  I walked away with wounds, but I choose not to focus on the wounds. I will focus on the fact that I am still standing firm and victorious after the battle and our relationship is still standing firm.

It is vital for us as believers to first see that we have victory only through our Lord and His power. We cannot fight these battles on our own strength. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10

Secondly, we have to know how to be prepared for the battle. If we aren’t protected and armed, then how can we even survive the attacks and overcome the enemy? “Put on the full armor of God…Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:11, 14-18 Notice, Paul says “full armor,” because if we are not fully protected, then we are vulnerable in some area. Also, the majority of the armor is for our protection. The only tool to actually fight with is the sword, which is the word of God. This is why we need to study His words, so He can put them on our hearts and minds. If you remember, Jesus fought the devil’s tests with God’s words through scripture.

Finally, we have to know who the enemy is that we are fighting. It is not our family member, friend, co-worker, or even a stranger that is attacking us. It is the devil.  “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.” Ephesians 6:11-12

I urge you to know that victory is only through His power. Be prepared with the armor and know who the enemy is, then you can stand firm!  “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13