The word of God tells us to pray for one another as believers and His redeemed children. Before we can effectively do this we must prepare ourselves.
How do we prepare? By reading the word of God and asking for divine revelation through the Holy Spirit. We do not know what approach will be taken by satan to oppress a believer but we do know he will make that attack at one time or another on us all. We must become so familiar with God’s word that we can speak to anything the devil throws at us just as Jesus did during His time in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).
Ephesians 6:12 tells us “for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
So how do we win these battles? Ephesians 6:13 says we can accomplish this by taking up “the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
What is the “whole armor of God” and how do we stand? By using the weapons God has given us which are the:
Belt of Truth – In Roman times, the belt (a) held the scabbard which held the sword. A soldier would be without his most important defensive weapon if he did not have his belt.
Breastplate of Righteousness – A breastplate was armor used to cover a soldier’s chest and in particular, the heart. To be righteous is to adhere to God’s instructions and to act accordingly. Righteousness is achieved when we give our lives over to Jesus, commonly referred to as being saved. We must study God’s word to understand how to walk in His righteousness.
Shoes of the “preparation of the gospel of peace” – Jesus is the Prince of Peace. By covering our feet we are enabled to walk on the roughest terrain without fear of bruising or cutting our feet. This allows us to boldly walk where we are called delivering God’s message of peace.
Shield of Faith – In Roman times the shield was used to further protect the whole body of a soldier. The soldier would deflect arrows or clubs with it. Soldiers would also come together and build a wall of shields which was almost impenetrable. In Hebrews 11:1, faith is described as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” As we read the truth in the bible, many times we just can’t understand how it can be possible. It just doesn’t make sense in the natural. Faith is accepting it as truth even though it is not tangible. It is believing it is so just because the word says it is.
Helmet of Salvation – A helmet is a protective covering for one’s head. The significance of this is to keep the mind protected from worldly views, condemnations etc. A believer’s mind should be steeped in the truth available through the word of God with revelation given by the Holy Spirit. If the word is constantly put into the mind, there is no room for satan to put anything deceitful in there (c). Salvation (being delivered from the power of sin) is given to us by God through the grace of Jesus Christ.
Sword of the Spirit – In Hebrews (d) the word of God is likened to a double edged sword. Roman soldiers would sharpen each side of their swords in order to do the utmost damage to their enemies. Their sword also had a point on the end of it. This point was so sharp that it could penetrate their enemy’s armor allowing the edges of the sword accomplish their task. The spirit is the Word of God.
In Ephesians 6:18 Paul adds to the armor the instruction to pray in the Spirit for all the saints. The spirit is the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus to be the believer’s assistance (see John 14:16). Saints are those who have given their lives to Jesus.
We are called to provide intercession for the body of Christ. The importance of praying in the Spirit is that we cannot always know a certain battle that a brother or sister in Christ is going through, but the Holy Spirit can. The only way we can accomplish our calling in this area is to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to allow Him to guide our prayers.
Putting on the armor of God daily is the most important thing we can do as believers and ministers of God’s word. Unless we cover ourselves we will be ineffective the first time adversity attacks. As the Bride of Christ, we are called to lift each other and to be intercessors for each other. We cannot accomplish this unless we envelop ourselves in the message God sent His Son to deliver.
Ephesians 6:10-19
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel
Riding the whirlwind of God’s grace, mercy and love,
L
(a) http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-belt-of-truth.htm
The belt—known as the cingulum or balteus—played a crucial role in the effectiveness of a soldier's armor. It was the belt that held the scabbard, without which there would be no place to put a sword.
The Roman shield—the scutum—was
not the standard "medieval-esque" shield most picture in their minds
upon hearing the word. It was instead a very large, slightly curved rectangular
shield featuring at its center a large metal knob (called a boss). The scutum was
an impressive line of defense. Because of its sheer size (some were three and a
half feet tall and almost three feet wide), soldiers were afforded a great deal
of protection from enemies. Because of its slight curve, it was able to deflect
attacks without transferring the full force of the assault to the man holding
the shield. Because of its boss, it was able to deflect even the more vicious
blows and function in a limited offensive capacity as a means of knocking an
opponent backwards.
(c) Matthew 12:43-45 New King James
Version (NKJV)
43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a
man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And
when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits
more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”
(d) Hebrews 4:12 New King James
Version (NKJV)|
12 For the word of God is living and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and
spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart.
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