Light Armor

Introduction

We need to prepare for war. God’s people have always been at war with the enemy, but we live at a time when the battle is more intense than ever before. Satan’s time on earth is short, so he is attacking the church with his greatest fervor. However, we need not fear!

Romans 8:37. God doesn’t just call us to be conquerors, He calls us to be “more” than conquerors! It’s great to be a conqueror, but we’re called to be even greater! The New Living Translation translates this verse, “overwhelming victory is guaranteed us।” We are not just called to squeak out a victory, but God calls us to utterly defeat the spiritual wickedness, to be completely, awesomely, radically victorious. To have victory “always (2 Corinthians 2:14).”


1 Peter 5:8। We are called to this great life of victory, but Satan and his forces are going to do everything they can to stop it! He is seeking to devour your life। What will protect us against his schemes and bring us into the victory God has planned for us? To be protected, we must be wearing God’s armor।

God’s armor is-
1) Light
2) Living
3) Listed

POINT #1-GOD’S ARMOR IS LIGHT

Romans 13:12. God says let us put on the armor of light. Why do we need armor of light? Because we’re invading a kingdom of darkness.

Colossians 1:13. We have been translated out of the power of darkness. But our unsaved friends, family, schoolmates are still in that darkness. They are under an evil power. Darkness can only be overcome by light. So we need to be wearing the armor of light to invade the darkness, to open blind eyes.

1 Peter 2:9. We have been called out of the darkness into the marvelous light, so let’s make sure we are covered and protected by the light. The enemy cannot attack us when we are in the light, because the blood of Jesus is covering and washing our sins (1 John 1:7).

Gideon was leading an army of 300 men against tens of thousands of Midianites. God gave him an interesting battle plan. He and his men were to hold a trumpet in one hand, and in the other a torch, which was covered by a pitcher. Then instead of attacking the enemy, they were to blow their trumpets, shout unto God, and break their pitchers, revealing the light of the torch.
Judges 7:19-21. When the men followed this battle plan, the enemy ran away in panic. When they revealed their light, the enemy could not stand. Likewise, when we are covered in God’s light, the enemy will not be able to come in.

POINT #2-GOD’S ARMOR IS LIVING

The armor we are called to fight in is not the dead works of man, but the living armor of God.

1 Samuel 17:38,39. Saul tried to get David to go out in his armor. This represented the works and warfare of man. Saul’s armor had never been able to kill Goliath before, so why would David use it? David was not able to go forth in armor he did not know.

Instead, David used his shepherd tools to go against Goliath. He went forward with what God had given him. He didn’t pretend to be something he wasn’t. It’s only by the strength of God that we can go forward. In His life, in His power.


POINT #3-GOD’S ARMOR IS LISTED

Ephesians 6:13-18. We are told to take the whole armor of God, and then we see what it is. 7 articles are listed as composing God’s armor.

1) Girdle of Truth.
God’s truth to drive away the enemies lies. Having truth in our “inward parts (Psalm 51:6).

2) Breastplate of Righteousness
Protection for our heart. Keeping our heart righteous with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23), not loving the world (1 John 2:15).

3) Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Everywhere we walk, we carry the Gospel with us, God’s truth with us. It goes everywhere we go. That gives us “beautiful feet” (Isaiah 52:7).

4) Shield of Faith
When the enemy comes in with the “fiery darts” of doubt and fear, we repel them with the faith of God. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:-we cannot make it on our own, but it comes from Him.

5) Helmet of Salvation
Protecting our mind with thoughts of God’s salvation, allowing God to save us “completely” (Hebrews 7:25), every part of us. Girding up the loins of our mind (1 Peter 1:13), that we don’t think the enemies thoughts but think of God’s salvation.

6) Sword of the Spirit
The only offensive weapon here. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, which is sharper than any two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). We don’t have to defend God’s Word against attack-when attacked, use God’s Word! Don’t argue about your sword, use your sword.


7) Prayer
A vital piece to our armor. Praying at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Our victory will only come through prayer, continual prayer.

One thing to notice about the listed armor-there is no armor for your back. God has called the church to always move forward. We are not protected when we are retreating. So always move forward, then you are protected from the enemy.

Conclusion

As we prepare for warfare, it is vital to make sure we have all of our armor on and ready. God’s armor will lead us to victory all the time.

Matthew 16:18. As we are in our armor, the gates of hell cannot keep out the attacking, forward moving army of God. As Reinhard Bonke would say, let’s plunder hell to populate heaven!