“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 (ESV)
This illegitimate and evil government has let our nation down. Tyranny is taking over. This is a day that spiritual warriors rise up and fight! We must dress and ready themselves every day for battle. We are called to live as soldiers not as civilians (2 Timothy 2:3-4). The battle is not over, neither is the outcome set!
Every day we get dressed to face the world. We choose our clothes appropriately for the day. If we plan to spend it at the beach we’re usually not going to put on long pants, jackets, gloves, beanie and boots! But that is what we’d wear if we were in the mountains in the winter! Likewise, every day we should get dressed for the spiritual climate that we will be entering into. The day that we live in is hostile and intense with spiritual conflict all around. As you dress spiritually each morning ask your wardrobe expert (Holy Spirit) to help you prepare! Here are just a few of the items to include. You may want to take a few moments each morning and prayerfully put these on (Ephesians 6:10-18).
• Breastplate of righteous – Ask forgiveness of all your sin, known and unknown. Forgive anybody who has hurt or offended you (Matthew 6:14-15). Thank the Lord for His complete forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9). Thank Him for the imputing and imparting of Christ’s righteousness upon you. It is not something you’ve earned. Rather it is something you’ve received by faith. Thank Him for the fact that there is no condemnation over you because of Jesus (Romans 8:1).
• Belt of truth – Ask God to reveal any place of falsehood, lies or deception in your life, and replace them with truth. Jesus warned that in the last days we were to be alert to deception, and unless it is revealed to us, by its nature it is hidden from us. Ask Him to show you anything that you are believing as true but isn’t. Ask Him to show you truth that leads to freedom (John 8:32).
• Helmet of salvation – Put on the mind of Christ. Ask for wisdom, discernment, revelation, knowledge and clarity of thought. Thank Him for who He says you are, and proclaim that you are a child of God, a joint heir with Jesus Christ, and all authority has been given to you through Christ. Ask Him to help you demolish every argument that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and to take captive every thought making it obedient to Christ today (2 Corinthians 10:5). Ask Him to transform you through the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).
• Shoes of peace – Ask God to show you every place where you are standing on anything other than His peace. Confess these things as places you have not trusted in Him! Replace anxiety with thanksgiving, petition and faith. Intentionally put the negative things out of your mind and focus on that which is good, pure, noble, lovely and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:6-9). Thank Him for guarding your heart and mind in His peace!
• Shield of faith – Proclaim that everything under your authority is under your shield of faith. Break every curse in the name of Jesus, every fiery dart, every form of witchcraft, every weapon fashioned against you, your marriage, your family, your home, your church and even your city. Lift your shield up high, and ask God to bring all these things under His protection. Surrender yourself completely under His Lordship, and as such under His shadow (Psalm 91).
• Sword of the Spirit – Take some time to marinate in the word of God. Ask God to refresh, renew and feed you today. Ask Him to allow His living word to be a two-edged sword in your heart and mouth today (Hebrews 4:12). Invite Him to wash you in His word (Ephesians 5:26). Ask Him to keep you pure by living according to His word today (Psalm 119:9-11). Proclaim that your path will be lit today by the light of His word (Psalm 119:105). Thank Him that His word does not return void, but will accomplish what He desires (Isaiah 55:10-11). Thank the Lord for watching over His word to fulfill it in your life (Jeremiah 1:12).
• Secret weapon – We have been given the instrument of prayer. This is not something we put on, but rather are called to live in, to do unceasingly (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We are to pray in the Spirit, as opposed in the flesh, our mind, or emotions. We’re to pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray throughout the day, inviting Him to pray through you non-stop (Romans 8:26-27). The prayer of a fully clothed Christ follower is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
Now go out into the world alert, sober minded, praying in the Holy Spirit for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18b-19), especially for those leading in ministry (i.e. your pastor and others in full time ministry roles in our city, such as evangelists).
