Satan has been probably whispering in your ear lately. Telling you that there isn’t hope. You aren’t strong enough to get through this chaos. You aren’t going to make it. Go ahead and act badly, it’s ok. Live on the dark side. Give up. The world has gone to shit. It is never going to get better. You are in this for yourself only. Who cares what you do? Don’t help anyone, only help yourself. Take that drink. Turn your head away from that person. Be selfish, you deserve it. Where is God in all of this? He abandoned you. Why even try? You won’t make it. Join me.
Sound familiar? If you have found yourself getting discouraged, sad, anxious, worried, or if you have heard the whispers above…I want you to read this passage that is coming along with what I write after it.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29348A" data-link="(A)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> and in his mighty power.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29348B" data-link="(B)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> 11 Put on the full armor of God,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29349C" data-link="(C)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29350D" data-link="(D)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> but against the rulers, against the authorities,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29350E" data-link="(E)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> against the powers<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29350F" data-link="(F)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29350G" data-link="(G)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29351H" data-link="(H)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29352I" data-link="(I)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> with the breastplate of righteousness in place,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29352J" data-link="(J)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29353K" data-link="(K)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29354L" data-link="(L)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29354M" data-link="(M)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> 17 Take the helmet of salvation<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29355N" data-link="(N)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”> and the sword of the Spirit,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29355O" data-link="(O)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”>which is the word of God.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29355P" data-link="(P)” style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;”>
The armor of God. It is a powerful tool against the bullshit you hear whispered in your ear. God gives us the ability to fight and stand out ground against the devil’s schemes.
I want you to take special notice about one detail that people tend to overlook in this passage: There is nothing covering your backside. There is no butt armor or back armor.
WHY?? Because you are supposed to run toward the fight instead of running away from it.
God equips us with what we need to tell the devil to F-off!!! To stand firm in truth, righteousness, love, peace, His word, faith, hope…salvation. So dammit, do NOT give up. Know that God is with you and he has equipped you to fight the fight through Him and WITH Him. You, my dear one, are going to be OK.
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| I couldn’t help it! HA!! |
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