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Putting on the whole armour of God
Song: All power belong to Jesus (x2) Introduction In our ever increasing challenging and demonic world, we need to remain vigilant and equipped if we must overcome all the devices of the devil. Let no one claim ignorance of this and let no one say: ‘I’m not after anyone and no one is after me.’ Whether you like it or not, you’re daily faced with battles of life and the devil will never give up on you until he sees you in his own kingdom – hell fire. So you must be clothed with power! You must put on the whole armour of God. All through the Old and New Testaments, we see cases and evidences where we need to put on the whole armour of God. If holy men and women who had gone before us were severely tried, how do you think you’ll escape being tried? If they wrestled with the devil and his agents, do you think these forces will not attack you? Old Testament: Moabites were so envious of the Israelites so much so that they wanted them cursed and wished them all dead. Today in our lives we the same jealousy all around us. Some people and even nations are not happy at our prosperity, peace, happiness and divine favours. 3 and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites. 4 The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field." So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the River, in his native land. Balak said: "A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. 6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed." (Numbers 22:3-6). But our God is mighty to save and mighty in battle! He will give you victory. For no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). 23 There is no sorcery against Jacob, 24 The people rise like a lioness; New Testament: For no reason, a woman was crippled by a spirit for eighteen years until Jesus set her free from her captors (Luke 13:11-17). Of course recall that the Jesus was never left alone; he was always troubled by the evil ones but in all, God gave him victory (Luke 4:28-30). Paul and Silas confronted several deceptive spirits that even made huge money for their owners. They profiteered from that illicit business. 16Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. (Acts 16:16-18). 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas 20In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. (Acts 19:18-20). Speaking from experience, Paul admonishes us: The Armour of God 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18). Conclusion: You honestly need more than being born again! Read Acts 19:1-7, 32-33. God bless you. Evang. Oseh J. B. |