Walk in the Spirit - Lesson 4

Remember...to "walk in the Spirit" is something 

we do by the enablement of the Spirit.

Lesson #4

Put on the Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10 ~ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on the whole armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

We, as Christians are fighting a spiritual battle everyday and that battle is between the Spirit and the flesh.  It is important that we begin each day making sure that we have on the armor of God and be prepared for any battle that awaits us.  It is true what the Lord spoke to me through a devotional, that He has equipped us with all we need.  Read Ephesians 6 to learn of the Armor of God.

-- Helmet of Salvation - protects our thinking.  God promises us if we remain true and faithful to Him, no matter what, we have a home in heaven. Even if we lose some of our battles in life situations here on earth, we still have eternal life promised in heaven.

-- Breastplate of Righteousness - helps protect from the slings and arrows (temptations) from the evil one.  Our righteousness is through Christ Jesus who gives us the desire to do right, which protects us from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. 

-- Shield of Faith - helps extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. When we put our faith in God as we read and learn about Him, we build faith. (Proverbs 3:5,6)  It is faith that helps us win the battle.  The Bible tells us that we obtain this faith by hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) Faith comes via Scripture as we continue to read and learn of Him.

-- Loins Girded with Truth - holds everything else together.  If we do not have truth, there is no way for us to win the battle.  The Word of God is our absolute source of truth today.  If we do not have ourselves girded with truth, then there is no way for us to win.  The truth sets us free. (John 8:32)  The entrance of God's Word gives us light. (Psalm 119:130)

-- Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace - If our lives are not built around the Gospel, then there is no way we are going to make it.  Take the Gospel with you wherever you go.  It's important that we know and understand the Gospel.  Hide it in your heart so we won't sin against Him.  (Psalm 119:11)

-- Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God - our spiritual tool needed to defeat the devil just as Jesus used when He was tempted in the wilderness.  The Word is God's power of salvation. (Romans 1:16) and is living, powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Along with putting on the Armor we must be Praying always in the Spirit which is essential in the ongoing battle.  Prayer is our direct communication to God. Prayer is not to change God's will or His mind; it is for us to be conformed to His will.  Prayer is all throughout the Bible.

Prayer is not only for asking...but it's also declaring - praying the Word.  Also prayer is listening, letting God talk to us.  God has so much that He wants to tell us. We just have to take the time to listen. Prayer is the most important conversation of the day.

Sometimes we don't know what or how to pray.  That is why the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us intercedes for us in prayer.

Romans 8:26,27 ~ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Intercessory prayer is also much needed during battle.  God has made a way for us to be able to intercede for others.  At times He may lay someone on our heart to pray for them.  Or other times, we may feel a weight of something on us...or just feel an urgency to pray - God calling us to prayer...to intercede.  We may never know why or who it was for, but know that God does!  I thank God for those who have interceded for me!

I Timothy 2:1 ~ I urge then first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone...

Quote by Francis Frangipane:

"If you want to be like Christ, you must be willing to lay your life down for others.  As an Intercessor, you will "stand in the gap."  What is the gap?  It is the distance between the way things are and the way things could be if God intervened.  You stand in the space between the failures of man and the mercies of God and intercede. Anyone can find fault in others, but can we stand in the gap and pray for mercy to triumph over judgment?"

Putting on the Armor of God,
Connie Schmoll