No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper (Isaiah 54:17)

Last week we took a look inside the enemy’s arsenal and saw things like excessive fatigue, anxiety, stress, worry, hopelessness, fear, hatred, self-doubt, jealousy, gossip, revenge, betrayal - all part of the collection of misery kept at his disposal at all times, ready to inject into our mind and heart when opportunity lends itself. Each one having self-destructive consequences if we dwell in them and they achieve what they set out to. However, the greatest weapon that can be used in spiritual warfare has been given to us by our Heavenly Father. In Ephesians 6:9, Paul implores the church [believers] to behave with firmness and constancy of mind, though the enemies were many, mighty and powerful, and more than a match for them; relying on the power and strength of Christ, and making use of the whole armor of God, is the only way one might withstand in the worst of times. Thus, just as military soldiers wear their combat uniform in the battlefield we too must do the same so that we may withstand the devil’s attacks. Let’s take a closer look at our heavenly combat uniform [the armor of God].

Welcome back to my weekly blog. Since we are speaking of the enemy’s attacks, it only seems appropriate to lean into one of the most powerful prayers in the bible and a promise from God, cited in Psalm 91, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” I pray that you too may come to know Him as your refuge and fortress. May He rescue and protect you from all evil. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Why is each and every piece of our heavenly armor essential? The armor of God (found in the book of Ephesians 6:10-18) is made up of the following six pieces, let’s break it down:

• The Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14) - Truth is the belt that holds all the pieces of the armor in place. There are two ways in which truth is a part of the armor of God: (1) It refers to the truths of scripture as opposed to the lies of Satan. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”; and (2) Our personal commitment to truth, to living a life that is upright, transparent, and without deceit. Integrity and honesty are vital to our walk with God. People must be able to depend on us to be a person of truth and principle.

• The Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14) - The breastplate covers the heart and shields it and the other vital organs. The Bible says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23). That is what Christ’s righteousness does for you. It protects you against all of Satan’s accusations and charges. The enemy wants you to doubt yourself and conform to the patterns of the world but when we choose God we are transformed by the renewing of our mind and we are able to discern and know what is good and pleasing to God. We can proclaim victory.

• The Shoes of the Gospel Righteousness (Ephesians 6:15) - Soldiers marching into battle must wear comfortable shoes. Scripture tells us that even though the Lord allows his people to experience adversity and affliction, he will always be with us, we will hear a voice, telling us the right way to go, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:20-21) As soldiers of Christ, we must put on “gospel shoes” that will allow us to march where He [Jesus] leads. The apostle John says, “He who says he abides in Him [Jesus] ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, . . . and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Satan will try to place obstacles in our path, but in Jesus’ strength we can walk through it and forward in our gospel shoes, following our Lord, and proclaim victory over the enemy.

• The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16) - “ Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one”. When Satan attacks us (“2 Timothy 3:12, reads, “Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith].”) with doubts, finding every opportunity to dig into his arsenal and selecting a weapon fitting to you, the shield of faith keeps us steadfast in following Jesus. “If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 1:23. Faith is God’s gift to us and as we walk with Him, that faith grows and develops until it becomes a shield, protecting us and allowing us to live a victorious life in Christ.

• The Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17) - Helmets are essential in battle. A helmet protects against all attacks to the head. Soldiers knew one hit to the head could mean disaster in battle. For this reason, the helmet does more to put a soldier at ease than almost any other piece of armor. In scripture, the helmet is associated with salvation. Salvation is ultimately the best protection against Satan, since nothing, even Satan, can separate us from the love of God. Always remember the importance of protecting our head because our thoughts feed our emotions and out emotions give rise to our actions. “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

• The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) - The sword of the spirit is the only weapon of offense listed in the armor of God. All the other parts are defensive in nature. God’s word is described as “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus used this weapon when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. To each of Satan’s efforts to lead Him into sin, Jesus replied with the scripture. That is why it is so important that we study the Bible and become familiar with its truths and its power. David wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The sword of God’s word both protects us and destroys our enemy and his temptations.

So how do you put on the whole armor of God? All the pieces of the armor are found in a relationship with Jesus. Paul said it like this: “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). When you give yourself to Jesus and “put on” His righteousness, you are clothed in the whole armor of God.

Make time for God daily. Pray to the father, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18). Finds friends in Christ, find a church, join their small groups, volunteer, read scripture, study scripture, find a book that can help you enhance your awareness of who our Lord, He is and wants to be in your life. Keep a gratitude journal and read it to God each day, thank Him for your blessings. On those days you are feeling most defeated, as hard as it may be, stretch outside your comfort and phone a friend that can pull you out of the dark into the light. I know this is not always easy. We all have hard days and sometimes seasons. It can feel especially hard when we feel we do right and it seems we can’t catch a break. I too feel tired sometimes but I press on and God pulls me out of my own head [negative thoughts]. When I need to look internally, I spend time with God instead, I much prefer to see myself as God sees me and not conform to the voices of the world. God reminds me of who I am, “God's masterpiece”, Ephesians 2:10. “Created in His image” Genesis 1:27. “Strong” Philippians 4:13. “Enough”, 2 Corinthians 9:8. God is saying the same to you, if you can’t hear Him, make time for Him each and every day and His voice and authority will be amplified in your life, “draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” James 4:8.

Whether you are struggling at home, in your marriage, other relationships and/or at work, WE CAN defeat the enemy and proclaim victory. Life coaching is primarily an “inside-out” process, wherein the coach seeks to draw out of a client his or her potential, passions, gifts, and a greater awareness of God’s calling. Solomon understood this reality: “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” (Proverbs 20:5) Click HERE to book your life coaching session(s) today.  

Blessings from your life coach and friend,  

Isabel Plasencia