THE ARMOUR OF GOD – PART 1
Sakkie Parsons
Translated from the Afrikaans Version: Die wapenrusting van God – Deel 1
Translator: Lynda Botha
Someone wrote to me the following:
"I am struggling for years to understand the aspect of the full armour of God and how to put it into practice.
Can you please explain each armour part and how to put it into practice when you have time? I am not sure I understand what it all entails."
Briefly this is how I see this matter and endeavour to live this out in my own life.
Actually, this explanation is not as brief, since my answer is divided into two parts so that it is not too lengthy to read all at once.
Just read the following from the Word of God regarding the matter I want to share with you:
Ephesians 6:10-18
10 “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
11 “Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
12 “For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
13 “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”
14 “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness.”
15 “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.”
16 “In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.”
17 “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
18 “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
Despite what our human believes are as well as our actions towards our fellow human beings, the first thing that captures my attention when I read the above Scripture is the following:
Ultimately, it is not human beings who offend us in one way or another. They are only the tools that evil use against us, because – and I wish that all the Christians who are so easily scared and who go through life full of fear for evil spirits just want to realize this – An evil spirit, power, force or whatever you want to call it, is unable to touch or inhabit themselves in you – you, who has accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour while the Holy Spirit of Jesus lives in you. Therefore, evil must exploit other people.
So, just remember whenever you come across exorcists again who wants to expel demons from you or yours, in my opinion they are usually the tools used by evil to execute their plans.
So next time someone offends you in one way or another then remember – this is the only alternate way which evil has to offend you, a Spiritually filled child of God.
EPH 6:12: “For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
Now let's take a look at the armour that we have at our disposal and what we are supposed to wear, so that we can be remain standing and become victorious when the enemy attacks.
First, we read:
EPH 6:14: “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth…”
In a world where deceptiveness and lies are at an all-time high, so much so, that there are even shepherds who proclaim that lies are permissible sometimes, we must gird ourselves with the truth.
The people should always know that by wearing this belt, they will only find or hear the truth from me.
If I don't display that view in my Christian journey, there is a weak place, actually I should rather say, a decayed place in my armour which I took from Hell and made it mine.
JHN 8:44: “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Yes, Satan is the father of all lies.
Let us gird us with the truth so that we can testify together with the psalmist:
PSM 119:104: “Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.”
Then there is the "body armour of God’s righteousness".
EPH 6:14: “…and the body armour of God’s righteousness.”
Historically body armour was used to simultaneously protect your chest and your heart.
So, therefore we must guard against iniquity in our hearts so that we always strive for justice, or stated otherwise, after what is right to God.
MAT 5:6: “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.”
MAT 5:10: “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
The following that my great hero Paul mentioned to us is:
EPH 6:15 “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.”
As followers of Jesus, we must have a compelling desire in our hearts to preach the Gospel of peace of Jesus Christ, and if we don’t have it, then we ask our Lord to help us so that it will become a reality in our hearts – a desire, which will not only remain at desire, but that we will be using the talents at our disposal by preaching the gospel.
Because my friends:
ROM 10:13 “For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
ROM 10:14 “But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?”
In my next email I will send to you, I will continue my discussion regarding "the armour of God”.
For now, I conclude with the beginning of the Scripture which I shared with you:
EPH 6:10 “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
EPH 6:11 “Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
Greetings,
Sakkie