As Believers, we live in the realm of the enemy’s kingdom. In order to walk in victory over all the schemes of the enemy, we must stand our ground in a place of confident authority. In this position of confidence, we war against the strongholds and assaults that the enemy sends our way. As Believers, we must always be aware of his strategies.
In Ephesians Chapter 6, we read about putting on the whole armor of God. Also, we read how to prepare ourselves for the battles that rage around us. There is so much in the weaponry of God. Before we can put the armor on, we need to understand the relationship that we have with Christ and the authority that we possess. This prepares us for the confrontations that are always before us.
In Ephesians 6:10, the Bible says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of his might”. To be effective for the kingdom of God, we need to recognize the phrase “be strongly positioned in the Lord”. As Believers, we need to know our relationship with the Lord, and we need to know how we must stand steadfast in God. Our relationship with the Lord dictates the level at which we can effectively stand our ground in the face of the assault. Our knowledge of all that Christ is and our knowledge of who we are in Him establishes the foundation from which we can stand and battle.
Ephesians 1:4-5, states that before the foundations of the world, we have been chosen to be found holy and without blame, standing before Him clothed in His love. The Word goes on to say that we have been predestined to adoption to Him by Christ Jesus. We are called to become children of God. This adoption places us in the position of sons and daughters and not slaves. From this position, everything else falls in line.
Now that we have the position of being sons and daughters unto God, the next part in Eph. 6:10, “And in the power of His might” places us in a place of authority. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is now available to us and can flow through us. This very power we use to war against all the wiles of the devil.
Putting on the whole armor of God is essential. It should be a given to each one of us as Christians. I wonder how often we think about this. Do we really look at each part that is mentioned in Ephesians 6 and wonder, am I in spiritual order with the word? Am I in right relationship with the Holy Spirit?
So often, I believe that we rehearse a mantra about the armor and rarely spend the time to self-check that we are truly clothed with Christ.
Romans 13:14 says, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts”. Know that Satan preys on our weaknesses. 1 Peter 5:8 states, “As a roaring Lion, he is always looking for someone who is playing in his field to devour.” This ought to keep us alert to be sure that we are standing strong in our position with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:12 is a place that I want to focus on. The verse states the position that we have when standing firm against the attacks that come against us. If we would come to the full revelation of our place and position in the battle, it would strengthen the faith of so many believers. Faith in what God is saying is what causes us to be transformed, and allows us to win the battle. The word says that we don’t wrestle with flesh and blood. This is like a typical wrestling match between two people hand to hand. The next part of the verse says, “But against Principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age…” The word ‘against’ carries with it the idea of moving towards something with the forced idea of driving it down and placing your foot on its neck. This word declares that you have the ADVANTAGE. Because you (by your authority) have the advantage, you now stand in the position to win.
With this in mind, that is why it says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you MAY be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all find yourself standing.” That is the position of victory over the assault. The verse states that the battle is already won before you even begin! This is the very confidence that we have in Christ!
With all the armor in place, your sword, the word of God, carries all the authority that is needed to confront every attack. When Jesus withstood Satan in the wilderness, every temptation that Satan threw at Him was successfully met with and defeated by every word that Jesus spoke. Remember, Satan is not defeated by experiences but by the word of God. Jesus never varied or strayed from the power of the kingdom of God. Every assault was met with the word of God. Jesus constantly said, “It is written”.
This is kingdom power in action. Satan may throw the weight of his kingdom around with his statements and temptations, but the weight of the Kingdom of God, which is revealed by the word of God, trumps every statement of Hell! Hallelujah! God’s kingdom is always GREATER and will defeat Satan’s kingdom every time.
When you put on the whole armor of God, think about the relationship God has given you with Him. He has adopted you. And in so doing, all of Heaven is now on your side. When you face the enemy, you can be much more confident that as the word says in Romans 8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us” and in verses 38-39: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
In Christ Jesus, clothed with the armor of God, standing in the authority of the relationship we have in Him, we can only WIN! His love is unceasing and unchanging! Nothing that comes against us can defeat us.
We have the position, authority, armor, and finally, a love that fights for and covers all. Hallelujah for His great glory and love that NO Devil in Hell can defeat. Let’s move forward as the OVERCOMERS God has called and clothed us to be!
Blessings & Mighty Victory,
Pastor G
