This past week we discussed the 5th of the 5 Basic Truths of Spiritual Warfare.
Basic Truth #5:
"We do not fight for Victory, but we fight FROM Victory"
So our 5 Basic Truths about Spiritual Warfare are as follows:
1. There is an Invisible World
2. We are involved in an Invisible War
3. Our foe (the devil) is Formidable
4. We must respect our for but not Fear him
5. We do not fight for Victory, but we fight FROM Victory
Last week we also discussed how our War has already been won, but battles stemming from that war are still raging on. This is very similarly paralleled to the battles in the South Pacific following the end of WW2. Even though the Japanese had surrendered, for days, weeks, months, and even years, factions of their military still carried on battles for the cause. Guns were fired, people were injured, lives were lost. So even though WW2 was over, battles from that war were still being fought.
Jesus won the victory for us on the Cross and conquered Hell and the Devil that same day. Until Christ returns, the devil and his demons still wage war against us. Even though they have lost, they don't give up. It is our job to enforce that victory through spiritual warfare just as allied forces had to do in the South Pacific after the end of the War.
To do this we must learn first our defenses with regards to the Full Armor of God. Here is what we talked about last week:
How do I prepare for Spiritual Battle?
“13 Therefore put on the full armor 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:13-15
Paul uses different imagery in that of a Roman soldier as they were the most powerful fighting force of the time.
Our commander (Jesus Christ) “urgently” commands us to “pick up” our spiritual armor and put it on.
Why? = For the purpose of being fully prepared and enabled to withstand the grave and difficult “dark times” when the enemy attacks.
When the day of evil comes…
Using the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor (which protected him in battle), we are given three specific pieces of spiritual armor that must be “put on” by us as believers as a prerequisite to standing firmly and fearlessly against demonic attack. The Belt of Truth, The Breastplate of Righteousness, Feet shod with the Gospel of Peace. Tonight we will talk about the first, the Belt of Truth.
We talked specifically this past week about the Belt of Truth:
With regards to the Belt of Truth, we are called to be truthful with others, ourselves, and most of all with God. The devils first ever attack was one of deception and lies (Eve in the garden). We must first guard ourselves against those kind of attacks and be truthful at all times. The best offense is a good defense. We must defend ourselves first before we can fight back!
We give ourselves cop-outs for our sins… we aren’t truthful with ourselves or with God
1. Difficult circumstances
2. Depressed economy
3. Unfaithful spouse
4. Anything or anyone that isn’t us
5. We are creative blame shifters
The remedy for this is the BELT OF TRUTH! Has your belt slipped? Are you blaming others for your dishonesty? Hiding from God?
We should make Psalm 139:23-24 our prayer...
23 Search
me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
This week we will be discussing the Breastplate of righteousness and covering our foundation (feet) with the Gospel of Peace, this will conclude Spiritual Warfare 201. We will start Spiritual Warfare 301 next week!
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