Ephesians 6:10-18
Amplified Bible
The Armor of God
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), 15 and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.
We’re all entangled in spiritual battles it just comes down to who you’re fighting for. Matt 12:30 Jesus teaches you’re either fighting with him or against him. When you declare that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life satan begins to attack, he’ll come against you, your family, friends, and whatever or whoever else he can use to try and break you. These spiritual attacks are often manifested in the physical. Sickness, loss of possessions, being betrayed or treated badly by friends and loved ones, even death. (Refer back to Job). Paul says here under inspiration of The Holy Ghost that we need to be prepared. God has given us everything we need to be successful in this fight. But notice that the responsibility to put these things into action falls on us. We must diligently seek after God’s will by studying God’s word, applying God’s word, putting God’s word into practice, Trusting fully in God’s word, and Prayer. It’s not enough to just go to church. If you want to be successful in spiritual warfare there must be a daily dependence on God, a daily relationship with Christ, and a constant obedience to the leadership of The Holy Ghost. It takes an effort from the believer to grow in Christ and the power of his might. Christian don’t just set on the sideline being a spectator hoping a battle won’t come your way…. get in the good fight of faith and run your race with endurance.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Amplified Bible
Jesus, the Example
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, 2 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [b]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
3 Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
