LIVE AS AN ARMOURED CHILD OF GOD

GOD set me out on a journey to understand what exactly entails HIS Armour and HE put these writings in my Heart.
I pray that by the time you are done reading you will be more alert to what we need as Christians to win the war that is constantly waged at us by the enemy.
Our study will be based on Ephesians 6:10-18.

A final word: Be strong in The LORD and in HIS Mighty Power. Put on all of GOD’s Armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 
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. 
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.
Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the Body Armour of GOD’s Righteousness. 
For shoes, put on the Peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 
In addition to all of these, hold up the Shield of Faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 
Put on Salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of The SPIRIT, which is the Word of GOD. 
Pray in the SPIRIT at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Ephesians 6:10‭-‬18 NLT

1. Be Strong in The LORD and in HIS Mighty Power.

Acknowledging that our strength does not come from our own flesh but from GOD.
Acknowledging that we are weak and it’s only in HIM that we are strong. 
To totally rely on HIS Strength and to acknowledge that HE is Mighty In Power, the Power that we need in this Warfare.
Remember that your flesh will fail, all the time, and so rely only on GOD for HIS Consistent Strength. 

My help comes from The LORD, who made Heaven and Earth!

Psalms 121:2 NLT

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but GOD remains the Strength of my heart; HE is mine forever.

Psalms 73:26 NLT

Each time HE said, “MY Grace is all you need. MY Power works best in weakness.” 
So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the Power of CHRIST can work through me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

2. Realize that we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies. 

​The weapons of our warfare are not made with human hands, meaning that the weapons we are wielding will not be fighting the human enemies.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through GOD to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the Knowledge of GOD, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of CHRIST; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

2 Corinthians 10:3‭-‬6 KJV

Therefore, the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, mighty powers in this dark world, and evil spirits in the heavenly places bring imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the Knowledge of GOD. They make thoughts disobedient to CHRIST.
Meaning that whenever you find yourself having thoughts that are Ungodly, whenever you find yourself disobedient to the Commands and Ways of CHRIST, it’s warfare, that can only be won by GOD’s Mighty Power.
A war that can only be won in CHRIST. A war that was won years back and so we can claim that Victory every time the devil wages a war against us.
Acknowledging that instead of fighting the human that may come to us with fights and spite, we should pray for them instead of seeing them as the enemy. The enemy may use people, that allow him, to attack your very Salvation.
We are in a Spiritual Warfare that can only be won in the Spiritual and not in the Physical. 

3. Put on every piece of GOD’s Armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.

The time of evil will definitely come, but when you have the Armour of GOD on you, you will resist the enemy every single time.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your Faith.
Remember that your family of believers all over the World is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

1 Peter 5:8‭-‬9 NLT

When you have the Armour of GOD on, you are alert and sober minded. You are firm against the enemy and strong in your Faith. 
Nothing will distract you from what the way forward should be. 
When you are alert, you are able to see every plan set up against you. 
You are able to understand how the enemy works every time and you will identify whatever trap and temptation he sets out for you, even when it seems as though it’s from GOD. 
You will have a mind of discernment to clearly tell apart what is from GOD and what is not from GOD. 
Nothing, however glittery it will look, will distract you, if it is not from GOD. 
You will have a peace of mind and you will be at rest, not needing to run after everything that looks appealing that is destroying the people that do not know GOD. 
Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm, having picked out the lies from the enemy and resisted him. 

Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 KJV

Be encouraged, you’re not the only going through what you are in your Christian walk.
Whatever you have gone through, are going through and will go through, another Christian somewhere around the World has gone through it too. GOD is not picking on you. 
You can be strengthened by the Body of CHRIST. We are together in this, even in the time of evil, and here for one another. Don’t go through it alone. 

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The Prayer of a Righteous Person is Powerful and Effective.

James 5:16 NIV

4. Stand your ground, putting on the Belt of Truth. 

​What is the truth? The truth is JESUS. The truth is the Word of GOD. The Word of GOD is JESUS. 

JESUS told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to The FATHER except through ME.

John 14:6 NLT

So the Word became Human and made HIS home among us. HE was full of Unfailing Love and Faithfulness. And we have seen HIS Glory, the Glory of The FATHER’s One and Only SON.

John 1:14 NLT

Knowing the Word of GOD gives you confidence in your day to day life, even as you proclaim the Good News of CHRIST, the Truth.
You can boldly explain the reason behind your Faith without Fear.
He that does not acknowledge the truth is like a person that builds his house on sand. 

But anyone who hears MY Teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.

Matthew 7:26‭-‬27 NLT

Following in the ways of CHRIST, our truth, obeying the Command of GOD, living by The Word of GOD makes us stand our ground , like the man who built his house on solid rock, and our Solid Rock is JESUS CHRIST. 
The truth will make us stable and never double minded. 
We shall not waver on one thing or another. We shall be bold when we speak as we know there is no lie in what we say. We speak from a place of Freedom and with Freedom comes confidence. 

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 1:8 KJV

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
JESUS replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. So if the SON sets you free, you are truly free.

John 8:32‭, ‬34‭, ‬36 NLT

When you read the Word of GOD, your Bible, you know more of the truth. You are thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Bible is not just any other popular literature. It is the truth and it is GOD-Breathed and authored through GOD HIMSELF. 

All Scripture is GOD-Breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in Righteousness, so that the servant of GOD may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16‭-‬17 NIV

5. Stand your ground, putting on the Body Armour of GOD’s Righteousness. 

Righteousness in the Dictionary is defined as, “the quality of being morally right or justifiable.” 
But we can never be morally right or justifiable before GOD on our own.

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our Righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Isaiah 64:6 KJV

GOD made HIM WHO had no sin to be sin for us, so that in HIM we might become the Righteousness of GOD.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

It is because of HIM that you are in CHRIST JESUS, WHO has become for us Wisdom from GOD—that is, our Righteousness, Holiness and Redemption.

1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV

We need CHRIST as our Body Armour. We need to clothe ourselves with HIM every single day. And the only way we can do that is by dying to self and being alive in HIM. 

My old self has been crucified with CHRIST. It is no longer I who live, but CHRIST lives in me. So I live in this Earthly Body by trusting in The SON Of GOD, WHO loved me and gave HIMSELF for me.

Galatians 2:20 NLT

Some Bible Versions call it “The Breastplate of Righteousness.”
The Breastplate covers your heart and other vital organs in your body from any harm in War. 
The Bible has reminded us to guard our hearts and I believe that the best way to guard your heart is not by keeping it from people and their words and actions. It’s about soaking it in the Righteousness of GOD. And when it is soaked in HIS Righteousness, all that will matter is HIS Words and Actions. 
And the Righteousness that is CHRIST in us will keep us from doing anything that is evil. We die to our flesh and allow CHRIST to be the one over our lives. 
That we shall acknowledge that we cannot sanctify ourselves and no amount of work of good deeds will make us right with GOD. 
To die to the law and be immersed in the Grace of GOD. 
To acknowledge that we need the guidance of The HOLY SPIRIT with every breath we take. To admit that we are weak in our flesh and are made strong only in CHRIST. Strong to resist temptation, strong to resist immorality, strong to resist every sin that so neatly is presented to us by the devil. 
Guard your heart from evil. 

These six things the LORD hates; Indeed, seven are repulsive to HIM: A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that creates wicked plans, Feet that run swiftly to evil, A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths], And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.

Proverbs 6:16‭-‬19 AMP

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this World. Because of these sins, the anger of GOD is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this World. 
But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your CREATOR and become like HIM.

Colossians 3:5-10 NLT

JESUS will help us resist these sins. We can have that helping only when we give up our old nature and accept CHRIST into our hearts, WHO will help us to willingly put on our New Nature, that is HIM and HIS Ways. That we may be renewed and learn to know GOD and become like HIM.
Having CHRIST as our Righteousness gives us the gift of an Eternal Life with GOD. 

But now since you have been set free from sin and have become [willing] Slaves to GOD, you have your benefit, resulting in sanctification [being made Holy and set apart for GOD’s Purpose], and the outcome [of this] is Eternal Life. 
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of GOD [that is, HIS remarkable, overwhelming Gift of Grace to Believers] is Eternal Life in CHRIST JESUS Our LORD.

Romans 6:22‭-‬23 AMP

6. For shoes, put on the Peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 

The Good News is the truth and isn’t there a Peace that comes with the truth?

For HE HIMSELF is our Peace and our bond of Unity. 
HE WHO made both groups—[Jews and Gentiles]—into one body and broke down the barrier, the dividing wall [of spiritual antagonism between us],

Ephesians 2:14 AMP

When we read and study the Word of GOD, we read the Good News. When we read the Good News we learn more about GOD, JESUS and The HOLY SPIRIT. 
We understand what is expected for us as Christians. We understand what pleases GOD. We understand HIS Commands and how we should follow them. 
We understand the Sacrifice that CHRIST made on the Cross. We understand HIS Love and we can go forward resting in HIM. 
We understand The Role of The HOLY SPIRIT in us and what the fruit of having HIM in us produces.
Once we understand that we don’t have to go through this life and missions on our own, we rest and rest produces Peace. 
These truths give us Peace and keep us prepared for whatever comes our way. They keep us prepared for whatever, whenever and wherever we are sent to go.

 Putting on shoes signifies starting out on a journey or a walk. 
When we put on our shoes of Peace, we move to delivering the message of CHRIST and we do it with Peace. Spreading it as far as we go and unifying the Church of CHRIST, and as well, adding to the Body of CHRIST. 
Not trying to show off how well we know Scripture or out to argue with them we feel in competition with, but to deliver a Gospel of Peace. Not for our own gain, but for the gain of the Body of CHRIST.
Where there is no Peace, Unity lacks. And there’s no way we can win souls for CHRIST without the Unity of the Church. 
A unity in doctrine, a unity in structure and a unity in love and strength. 
A lack of unity will only undo what one will have done. 
If a newly won soul hears different doctrines or see how divided the Church is, their Faith is waivered and we shall be guilty if they fall. 

…but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in ME to stumble and sin [by leading him away from MY Teaching], it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone [as large as one turned by a donkey] hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:6 AMP

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? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of Messengers who bring Good News!”

Romans 10:14‭-‬15 NLT

7. Hold up the Shield of Faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 

​Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 KJV

Fiery arrows of the devil come in form of every sin, doubt, and temptation. 
When you have Faith in your heart, though you didn’t witness it, you will know that all these things JESUS died for. 
They no longer are a part of you and they should no longer torment you. 
By Faith you believe in an Unseen GOD. You believe that HE has in store things that are far, above and beyond anyone’s understanding. 

No, the Wisdom we speak of is the Mystery of GOD —HIS Plan that was previously hidden, even though HE made it for our Ultimate Glory before the World began. 
That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM.”

1 Corinthians 2:7‭, ‬9 NLT

These are truths that the devil wants to hide from you. Truths that he will lie to you that they do not exist. Truths that he doesn’t want you to discover more of because the more you find them, understand them and believe them, the more you have Faith in GOD and the more he can’t get to you. 

So then Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of GOD.

Romans 10:17 KJV

Read The Word of GOD! 
That Sunday School Song we sang, “Read your Bible Pray Every day, if you want to grow…”
Make it your Daily Anthem and apply it into your life! 
I remember a Preacher once said that if the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future. 
By Faith we know that he will be finally thrown in a lake of fire and he will torment us no more. He knows this too and he doesn’t want to go alone. Don’t be his recruite! 
So when he aims an arrow at you, lift up the more your Shield Of Faith and the arrows will go back to sender! 

8. Put on Salvation as your Helmet.

For by Grace are ye saved through Faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the Gift of GOD: not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9 KJV

We have the Shield of Faith and so we can believe that we are saved. 
Our Salvation was paid with a heavy price and we should acknowledge that all this comes from GOD. 
It is a Gift that we should guard close and never boast of it as our own doing. 
A Gift that we should work out, guard and keep, through GOD, with everything we have, just as in the same way you will never want to take off your helmet in War.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your Salvation with fear and trembling, for it is GOD who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill HIS Good Purpose.

Philippians 2:12‭-‬13 NIV

So why put on a helmet over our Spiritual Man’s head? 
Death could happen to us if our head is not guarded and is hit in war. A helmet protects us from any injury to the head. 
Salvation comes with a protection from death. Salvation comes with JESUS.
Noting that we speak not of the Physical Death, but of the Spiritual Death. That it’s possible to be Spiritually dead even when we are Physically alive. 
Also acknowledging that whatever gets into our mind will be processed and will impact how we live. 
But if our minds are guarded by the Salvation of CHRIST, whatever we take in, guarded by the statutes of CHRIST, is beneficial to us. 

For this is how GOD loved the World: HE gave HIS One and Only SON, so that everyone who believes in HIM will not perish but have Eternal Life.

John 3:16 NLT

So don’t put down your Salvation Helmet at any one point, even when it looks “safe.” For the enemy is always ready to aim at you and destroy you. 

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 NLT

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. MY Purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

John 10:10 NLT

Remember that GOD won’t work it out in you by force. GOD never interferes with your will. So you have to deliberately and intentionally allow HIM to work it out in you.
Give in to the conviction of The HOLY SPIRIT to welcome JESUS in your heart. Do not harden your heart when HE speaks to it.
Today is your day of Salvation. 

If you openly declare that JESUS is LORD and believe in your heart that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with GOD, and it is by openly declaring your Faith that you are saved.

Romans 10:9‭-‬10 NLT

9. Take the Sword of The SPIRIT, which is the Word of GOD. 

And we come across the Word of GOD over again. 
It is only The HOLY SPIRIT that will reveal to us JESUS. 
We have seen JESUS as the Word. 
Therefore, it is only The SPIRIT Of GOD that will teach us GOD’s Word.
You need the Sword to fight this warfare, otherwise how does the Solider go into battle without a Sword? How will the Soldier put down his Sword in the middle of a battle?
Warfare never stops because the devil is actively at work trying to pull to him as many as can perish and accompany him to hell.
You need the word of GOD to dissect the truth from what is false. Declare the Word of GOD when faced with Warfare. 

For the word of GOD is Alive and Powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between Soul and Spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT

It is active and reliable. You can rely on it to help you with whatever you may be struggling with. 
The Word of GOD will make things clear to you. It will show you the truth. Guide you on the ways to follow. Guide you from the paths that lead to destruction.

All Scripture is GOD-Breathed [given by Divine Inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in Righteousness [learning to live in conformity to GOD’s Will, both publicly and privately—behaving honourably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of GOD may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 AMP

You are thoroughly equipped when you have the Word of GOD in you. 
The HOLY SPIRIT will use the Word of GOD to teach you and HE will reveal to you greater things than you would ever imagine through the Word of GOD.

But it was to us that GOD revealed these things by HIS SPIRIT. For HIS SPIRIT searches out everything and shows us GOD’s Deep Secrets.
No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own Spirit, and no one can know GOD’s thoughts except GOD’s OWN SPIRIT.
And we have received GOD’s SPIRIT (not the World’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things GOD has freely given us.

1 Corinthians 2:10‭-‬12 NLT

10. Pray in the SPIRIT at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

JESUS taught us how to pray by how HE would get away from the Crowds and HIS Disciples to get time away with HIS FATHER.
HE taught us how to Pray without insincere repetitions and taught us The LORD’s Prayer. 
HE taught us how to Fast. 
HE taught us about persistence in prayer. 
HE taught us to pray for those that persecute us. 
HE taught us to forgive those that have sinned against us before we pray. 
We see HIM pray for HIS Disciples. 
We see HIM pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. 
So we are well taught how to pray. Praying as we involve The HOLY SPIRIT. 

In the same way The SPIRIT [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the SPIRIT HIMSELF [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words.

Romans 8:26 AMP

We are sorted! But only if we don’t go at it on our own. 
Stay alert and do not put your guard down. 
Be persistent in prayer and don’t give up because of doubt or any arrow that the devil might throw at us.
Pray with Faith. Faith pleases GOD.
Pray at all times and with every kind of prayer, however petty and unimportant it may seem to you. Always be in constant communication with GOD.
Pray for believers everywhere. That we may keep up in unity as one Body of CHRIST and that we may be equipped for the Harvest. That we may make more Disciples for CHRIST, so that they too can join in the harvest, so that the Harvest does not outnumber the Labourers anymore. That The HOLY SPIRIT will be a Common Factor, so that as JESUS thinks, so do we. That we shall be in one mind and thought for the expansion of the Kingdom of GOD. 
May we understand how important the unity of the Body Of CHRIST is in these times. 
Pray for each other and pray for the Church of CHRIST. You praying for someone goes a long way. We need to cover each other in prayer. 

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of HIS Return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:25 NLT

Never put GOD’s Armour down. There are so many repercussions that come with not being Armoured in GOD.
It may look like so much work to put on all the pieces of GOD’s Armour, but with The HOLY SPIRIT, you will have the Wisdom and the Knowledge of how to go about it.
Stand firm!

More of GOD’s Grace, Love and Light,
Lydia Ndwiga.