-God’s Armor For The Winning Side
Who doesn’t want to be on the winning side? Whether it be a soccer match, a debate or a war against terrorism – nobody wants to lose. As we consider recent world events, it may seem like Christianity is losing ground, especially when we hear of the murder, rape, and enslavement of believers in the Sudan, or the horrible attacks on those who witness for the Lord in countries like China, Morocco or Saudi Arabia. But in spite of all this, we must realize that we are still on the winning side.
There is a spiritual warfare going on which Scripture clearly identifies: “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them” (2 Tim. 3:1-5 NIV).
We know from Scripture that in the last days there will be terrible times with a push towards liberation from the Christian values which are the backbone of a sane and healthy society. The liberal agenda seeks to push aside restrictions on deviant activities formulated in the hearts of sinful people, in order to bring about general acceptance of aberrant and abhorrent behavior. Morality is at an all time low, abortion continues to disgrace the nations that practice it, and the homosexual agenda makes inroads into every strata of society. So how can we say we are on the winning side?
Spiritual Battle
First of all, we need to know that there is a spiritual battle going on. Satan has contested God’s authority from the time he was lifted up in pride and thought he was greater than God (Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:12-17). Along with Satan, many angels also fell, and now as demons are working with Satan to break down all standards of holiness which characterize God Himself. It is no wonder that Satan attacks Christians who stand as lights in a dark world. He wants to control the hearts and minds of all mankind, but every true believer is a threat and obstacle to his machinations.
Daniel, a righteous man, asked God for answers to the visions he had received (Dan. 10:12-13). An angel was sent with the answers, but was held up and had to do battle with the demon prince over Persia who waylaid the angel from God. Finally, Michael, one of the chief princes of God’s angelic hosts who was assigned to care for the nation of Israel, had to come to assist the angel battling the demon prince of Persia. This event was one of those spiritual battles in heavenly realms that we read about in Ephesians: “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” (Eph. 6:12).
We have other examples of this battle in the heavens, one of which is that of Satan himself when he was called to give an account of his actions before God in Job 1-2. He accused God of protecting Job, and challenged God to take away the hedge of protection He had around Job so that he could test and tempt this righteous man to turn against God. God did allow Satan to test Job who in one day lost all his possessions as well as learning that his 10 children had been killed in an accident. However, he maintained his integrity and did not turn against God and could say: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21). There were further testings, but Job was victorious because he feared God and stood firmly in the face of testing and suffering.
From these two biblical events we can learn a lot about the way Satan works, and also how we can resist his schemes as well-trained soldiers who are prepared and ready for battle.
A Hedge Of Protection
The way God and Satan interacted in the life and struggles Job faced has always been a great help to me. Knowing that God has a hedge of protection around His people and that Satan cannot go beyond the limitations God puts on him is a great comfort. It helps me understand the underlying reason why Paul could say, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Cor. 10:13). God knows our limitations and will not allow Satan or any of his demons to go beyond what we are capable of bearing. We are all different and all have different capacities for suffering and testings. Because it is a promise in the Word of God, we can be sure He will not let us be tested or tempted beyond what we can bear.
Unfortunately, Satan is not necessarily our biggest problem because God has Satan on a leash so that he cannot do anything more than what he is allowed. However, we are sometimes our own worst enemy as we want to do things our own way, leaving God out of the equation. We let down our guard and quite often end up just gratifying our own desires and lusts.
In Job’s case, he had a visit from some friends who, instead of helping him, began to accuse him of all sorts of wrong doing, with the result that Job was carried away with his own self-righteousness, and pride came to the surface. God then rebuked both Job and his friends for their totally wrong attitudes and words.
Prayer Power
Daniel was faithful to God, but he suffered as the spiritual battle went on in the heavenly places. We need to understand that the “heavenly places” referred to is not heaven itself. Don’t forget that Satan is “the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Eph. 2:2). Daniel, as a man of prayer who walked in close harmony with God, is a good example of how to stand firmly in the face of opposition and how to have victory in our own spiritual struggles.
We need to have some understanding of the way Satan works, but we should not become too occupied with him ( 2 Cor. 2:6). We should not underestimate Satan or even make jokes about him. He is a very strong foe and only the Godhead can combat Satan with impunity and we certainly can’t do it in our own strength. Even the archangel Michael did not act arrogantly toward Satan, but rather called on God to rebuke him: “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’” (Jude 1:9).
Armor For Battle
Paul wrote about the spiritual battle going on around us and gave some good advice as to how we should prepare and equip ourselves. In Ephesians 6 Paul wrote about the armor that the Christian should not only know about, but should use proficiently. He wrote about our struggle not being with flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, the powers of this dark world and the evil in the heavenly realms. The rulers, powers and authorities he referred to are the different ranks among Satan’s demons. This is why we have to put on the whole armor in order to be able to stand against the devil’s schemes and the attacks of his demons.
There are several parts to the armor and we should know what they represent and how to use them.
The belt of truth: A hypocritical life can never stand against spiritual attacks. Our lives should be open and honest, we should not be just putting on a face when we are with other Christians. We should always live up to the truth of God’s Word as we know it. The Lord wants to bring us into a life of liberty and joy, and this is found in truth. We need a true and honest commitment to God, to others, and to ourselves, so that we can enter into the liberty and joy of an upright life before God. “Jesus said, ‘If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” (Jn. 8:31-32).
The breastplate of righteousness: Our righteousness is not the result of being good, but rather is imputed to us by God because of the work of Jesus who paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Rom. 3:21-22). Satan attacks many believers, getting them to think they can lose their salvation. Knowing that God’s Word promises eternal life to all who believe and to all who have the Son, gives us assurance and strength when doubt and fear assail us. We are not naturally righteous, neither can we attain to the standard God demands. Our only righteousness is in the Son: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 Jn. 5:11-12).
Feet fitted with the gospel of peace: Are we ready to go? Are we using the God-given opportunities to take the gospel to those who are lost? Paul could say, “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16). Presenting the gospel is the duty of every born-again believer (Mt. 28:19; Acts 1:8). This is the way we get the light into this world darkened by Satan’s evil.
The shield of faith: We need to grow in our faith. He has promised to be with us to the end. When attacks come we keep the shield in front of us to deflect the fiery darts the enemy shoots at us. Trials and testings will come in many different ways. When we are under fire we need to trust. We are encouraged when we remember the many promises in the Word and the many Bible saints who were able to overcome with God’s help. When our faith is exercised, God is pleased. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).
The helmet of salvation: This part of the armor protects our minds. Satan will bring doubts and fears, but we can overcome them if we fix our eyes on Christ, fill our minds with the promises of the Word and think on good and pure things (Phil. 4:6-8). When Job was tested, he could look forward to his redemption when he would be in eternity with God. He could say, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth and after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes” (Job 19:25-27). Knowing that our salvation is secure, our minds and hearts are kept strong. “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (1 Th. 5:8).
The sword of the Spirit: The sword of course is the Word of God. There are many references in the Bible about the Word being like a sword. This is a weapon of attack as well as defense. The Lord Jesus used Scripture to defeat Satan when He was tempted. We need to have the Word deeply rooted in our hearts so we’ll be ready to defend ourselves when under attack, and also carry the battle into the world, the domain of Satan. Why has Satan worked so hard in the USA to stop prayer and Bible reading in schools? Why does he want the Ten Commandments removed from public places? Because he fears the Word, the truth that sets his prisoners free.
Prayer: Is prayer a natural part of your life? Are you constantly in God’s presence ready at all times to seek His face and to ask His direction and help? Praying each day should be a normal part of our lives. Being at prayer meetings should also be an important part of our week. Paul told the Thessalonians to “pray continually” (5:17). Many churches are withering away and one of the major causes is the lack of personal and collective prayer on the part of the local church family.
The Battle Goes On
The spiritual battle will continue until the Lord takes us home. How goes the battle for you? Are you standing firm? Is your spiritual life what it should be? We all need to review our lives to make sure we are using the full armor and standing firmly for the Lord. We can expect deterioration of morals in the world, but we should not give in to outside pressures. Instead, we should set an example and let our lights shine in the darkness. Satan is already a defeated foe. The cross of Calvary guarantees this: “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Col. 2:15). Christ’s work on the cross guarantees our place on the winning side, so let’s live it out.
By Ian Taylor
With permission to publish by: Sam Hadley, Grace & Truth, 210 Chestnut St., Danville, IL., USA. Website: www.gtpress.org
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