Equipped for Victory

 

Faith is what you have to protect you from the lies that discourage and destroy. Faith is a shield you hold in front of you. The lies that come against you are the flaming arrows of the enemy that come to “rob, kill and destroy”, as Jesus says in John 10:10. While that is the agenda of the enemy, Jesus says that His purpose is “to bring life, and life to the fullest”. (John 10:10)  Paul uses the analogy of armor to show us how God equips us for victory in the midst of this battle with the enemy.  After explaining that he is not speaking of natural enemies, but spiritual, Paul goes on to describe this “armor of God” that we are equipped with:

 “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to 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.”   Ephesians 6:13-17

Paul tells us that faith is our shield and that it extinguishes all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And the sword we are equipped with is a sword of the Spirit; it is the word of God.  While the other parts of the armor are surely important, I want to focus on the shield and sword. As I pastor and counsel people, I find that there are common battles that people “fight”. Using the analogy of the shield, arrows and sword, I’m going to suggest a BATTLE PLAN. The arrows are the lies that the enemy tells us based on the circumstances or adversity we are facing. The sword of the Spirit is how we “fight back”, it is our offensive strategy. I believe that the sword of the spirit is the truth that combats the lies we are hearing. The word of God is active and powerful to defeat our enemy. Our shied is what we believe to be true about God’s character, ourself and our circumstances.

 Here are three common battles and a few lies and truths that correspond:

1.      Battle of Lack

This can be physical needs as well as other types of needs. We all have emotional, relational, spiritual needs and other types of needs in addition to physical needs. We all face unmet needs at times, this is part of life. But sometimes those needs remaining unmet becomes a battle in our relationship with God.

Lies – Arrows of the enemy

God doesn’t know or notice my needs

If He does know, He does not care

If God was going to provide for this need, He would have already done so

Truth – Sword of the Spirit

My God will supply all my needs  - see Philippians 4:19

God gives in abundance: all things, all the time, we will have all we need to accomplish every good work -  see 2 Corinthians 9:8

God’s plans for us are complete, fully provided for and secure. Our value was determined by Jesus’ death on the cross. Nothing separates us from Him – see Romans 8:28-39

2.    Battle of Doubt

We know and believe that faith is how we connect with God and that faith is required to please God. When we face adversity in life, our faith is often mixed with doubt. If our prayers go unanswered, or our circumstances remain the same, we often become vulnerable to the thinking that we may not have enough faith. We begin to question God’s ability as well as His desire to respond to us. We evaluate our faith and question our connection to God.

Lies – Arrows of the enemy

I don’t have enough faith – I am the reason my prayers are not being answered

I cannot hear God

I am alone and unacceptable to God

Truth – Sword of the Spirit

Praying and trusting God is faith! It only takes a little faith!   see Matthew 17:20

According to Hebrews 11:6, I have enough faith!

The presence of doubt, does not disqualify the faith I have – see Mark 9:23-26

3.     Battle of Insecurity/Self-Disqualification

When things are hard and/or we don’t feel as close to God as we want to, we are often prone to assign blame. We want to know “why” things are not changing for the better, and since it is hard to find God at fault, we tend to blame ourselves.

Lies – Arrows of the enemy

I need to be better, do better for God (for Him to love me/act on my behalf)

I’ve blown through my chances and now I’m on my own/hopeless

I am undeserving of God’s blessings in my life

Truth – Sword of the Spirit

2Corninthians 12:9 says that God’s grace is enough for me – I can’t earn His grace anyway. God is not threatened by my weaknesses, that’s why Jesus died!

James 4:8 promises that when I draw near to God, He will draw near to me

God promises to never leave me  - see Matthew 28:20

God has redeemed me and called my by name, I belong to Him – see Isaiah 43:1

Your Shield of FAITH

Your shield protects you from the arrows, the lies of the enemy. The arrow encounters the shield before it hits YOU! The shield is what you hold up during battle; you position yourself behind it as you move around. This is a good visual for faith. We need to lead with what we believe to be true and be focused on it. We need to trust it and find safety in and behind it.

Our shield is what we believe to be true - especially about the character of God, ourselves and circumstances. Our faith is anchored in God and His truth as revealed in scripture. Our faith is not dependent on circumstances, it is dependent on God and His power to remain faithful to His promises and to Himself.

Here are a few of my favorite truths in each of the areas:

Truths about God:

·       God is faithful to His promises. Faithfulness is a pillar of God’s character – He is not capable of failing to be faithful.

·       God sees me, loves me and knows me. He promises to always be with me. He goes before, leading me. He hems me in from behind; He is the restorer and healer. He is with me; my companion and strength along the way.

·       God is good and only gives good gifts to His people. He is a savior; one who rescues and redeems. His intentions are always good, loving, generous and kind.

Truths about Myself:

·       I am accepted, loved and celebrated by God. I am not earning or performing for approval from God. I am seen through the redemption of Jesus.

·       I am well equipped with the Holy Spirit. I am connected to God at all times; He lives within me and is delighted to do so. I have a source outside of myself, of strength, joy, peace, love, wisdom…..

·       I am created to receive from God. I hear His voice and am led by Him. I can ask for what I need and want and trust that God’s goodness and favor are always extended to me. I can trust Him to show me the next steps.

Truths about Circumstances:

·       I believe that God can and will cause ALL things in my life to be turned for good in my life. (see Romans 8:28) God is the one who transforms, restores and redeems. There is no limit to His grace!

·       God is always working and accomplishing His will. Whether I am aware of it or not, God is continuing His good work in and through my life. As I continue to follow God, I can trust that He is doing a good work. (see Philippians 1:6)

·       God may be asking me to do something that feels impossible to do, but He is understanding and available to help me do it. His grace (power) is coming towards me and I can go to Him for help. He gives me wisdom when I ask. He strengthens me and guides me. He does not require more of me than He is releasing grace to accomplish.

We are well equipped for battle! We are assured of our victory – we are overcomers! We fight with the truth and promises of God. We are protected by our faith in the unchanging and faithful character of God. So, hold up your shield and allow it to extinguish the arrows of the evil one that are coming against you. Get out your sword of the Spirit; the truth of God that is powerful and sharp. Use it to cut through deception and discouragement.

Paul charged us in Ephesians 6:10 to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might”. Part of how we do this is by “putting on the armor of God”. We are promised protection; we are also promised a battle! The best promise is the one of VICTORY!  Holding up the shield of our faith and using the sword of the Spirit is part of how we fight and see our victory come to pass.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

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