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AS CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS, WE
ARE THE MINISTERS OF GOD
2 COR. 6:3
We give no offense in
anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we
commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in
tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonment’s, in
tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fasting; by purity, by
knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by
sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of
righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor,
by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown,
and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet
not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many
rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
AS CHRISTIAN MINISTERS, WE
NEED TO PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD. SO WE WILL BE PREPARED FOR SATAN'S
ATTACKS.
EPHESIANS 6: 10-13
Finally, my brethren, be
strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor
of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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.
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.
WHAT IS THE ARMOR OF GOD?
EPHESIANS 6:14-18
Stand therefore, having
girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the
gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you
will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word
of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for
all the saints.
Piece of Armor -- Belt
("girds your waist")
Use -- Truth
Application -- Satan fights
with lies, and sometimes his lies sound like truth; but only believers
have God’s truth, which can defeat Satan’s lies.
Piece of Armor -- Breastplate
Use -- Righteousness
Application -- Satan often
attacks our hearts-the seat of our emotions, self-worth, and trust.
God’s righteousness is the breastplate that protects our hearts and
ensures his approval. He approves of us because he loves us and sent his
Son to die for us.
Piece of Armor -- Footgear
Use -- Readiness to spread
the Good News of the gospel of peace
Application -- Satan wants us
to think that telling others the Good News is a worthless and hopeless
task-the size of the task is too big and the negative responses are too
much to handle.
But the footgear God gives us
is the motivation to continue to proclaim the true peace that is
available in God. News everyone needs to hear.
Piece of Armor -- Shield
Use -- Faith
Application -- What we see
are Satan’s attacks in the form of insults, setbacks, and temptations.
But the shield of faith protects us from Satan’s fiery darts. With God’s
perspective, we can see beyond our circumstances and know that ultimate
victory is ours.
Piece of Armor -- Helmet
Use -- Salvation
Application -- Satan wants to
make us doubt God, Jesus, and our salvation. The helmet protects our
minds from doubting Gods saving work for us.
Piece of Armor -- Sword
Use -- The Spirit, the Word
of God
Application -- The sword is
the only weapon of offense in this list of armor. There are times when
we need to take the offensive against Satan. When we are tempted, we
need to trust the truth of God’s Word.
2 COR. 10: 3-5
For though we walk in the
flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against
the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ. |
