Chosen by God!
When we are experiencing unusual success, we are to be on guard against satanic attacks. We guard ourselves by putting on the full armor of God (truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word), and recognizing there is a battle and knowing who the battle is against.
As I reflect on Ephesians 6:10-18, I see that the average church is missing equipping believers by teaching about the armor of God, its value and purpose. We don’t completely prepare believers, especially new ones, about the weapons of our warfare. We don’t even make them aware that they are a target! Too many are preaching the benefits of a relationship with God, what you can get from Him, seeking His hand instead of His heart, when they should be teaching about developing an intimate, giving, relationship with God.
Another critical area that is crippling the church in putting on the full armor of God and standing against the enemy is prayer. Not enough time and attention is given to prayer, even on Sunday mornings. While the church may be filled on Sunday there’s only a handful of people that come for prayer during the week. The importance of prayer is not emphasized and/or taught. If we don’t know how to pray we will never walk in victory. The armor of God is anchored in the Word and in prayer.
All of this lack of teaching, equipping, and praying, spills over into other relationships. Marriages are weakened because spouses don’t understand who they are fighting and end up fighting each other. There’s a lack of shared prayer, devotions, and studying the Word between spouses and their children.
The same can be said of the family structure and our individual lives. It all comes down to spending time in God’s Presence and in His Word. Our battles are won by faith and declaring, “It is written,” just like Jesus did. But of course if you don’t know what is written, you are unarmed in battle and easily defeated.
Be Encouraged! ❤
Leisa Wilkins Ministries
"Encouraging and Empowering you to become who God created you to be, God's Masterpiece, a Divine Original!"