Thank you so much for tuning in and Welcome everyone – Hope you’re well!  I’m your host, Ben Lively, and you’re listening to “Shaken Awake” – Episode #65!  

 

I want to thank you for tuning in with us today, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing right this very moment.  It means everything to me to share the messages that God’s lays on my heart to share.  

 

And, as always, I promise you another great show – But, more than anything, my HOPE for you today, and always, is that you have an actual encounter with the Lord, not just another podcast episode.   

 

Quick ask – if you’ve found value in these episodes, would you take 30 seconds after the show to go to submit a quick review and star-rating in your app.  This is what potential listeners look for when deciding whether to give a show a listen – which is confirmation from other listeners that it can bring value.  Would you do that for me, IF and only IF you find value in these episodes?  For those of you that already have - I can’t thank you enough. 

 

Also, spread the word; pass on a link to your friends or family or colleagues that the Lord prompts you to send to – there are many people that need to hear these messages and scripture and God will see to it that it gets to them.  Then, He’ll do the rest.

 

So, without further delay, let’s get ready to invite God in with us, right here, right now and allow Him to speak directly to your heart and minds.   

 

I’m going to take this week to take another and final quick break from our series on Jesus’ parables as I feel another tug from God, as I did in the last episode, to speak on a few topics before we resume the parable series. 

So, today’s topic is on “Is it God’s Armor or Your Armor You Have On Right Now?”

 

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Like much of what I speak on, which comes – ALWAYS from the Bible, this subject is mute in most churches.  I didn’t hear or know about the Armor of God until I was TRULY saved 3 years ago, but up until then and even until today, I don’t hear this preached or spoken of in the buildings we call churches today.  Since WE are the church, and now the building or the rooms and halls that we fill in them, I find it imperative in the world that we live in today to speak on this topic and show you the words that are in the Book of God and to help ask yourselves and help you determine, which armor you have on – if any!  Is it God’s Armor?  Is it YOUR OWN Armor?  Or is there no Armor on right now?  You may be surprised, as I was and am where we end up with this exercise.  But by you striving to be the good and faithful servant He has called us to be, you MUST know and MUST have God’s armor on as commanded – it’s the protection broken down into parts to shield yourself from the enemy and to attack the spiritual warfare happening all around you, constantly, even in your sleep!  We are not only being hammered by the god of this world, the sons of that god (which is satan), but we’re now even being attacked by the goats and wolves that have infiltrated the church, or buildings that they call the church, today.  I see it, I feel it, and I’ve been shaken awake to it – I assume some of you have as well.

 

 

The armor of God is an analogy in the Bible that reminds true Christians about the reality of spiritual battle and describes the protection available to us. The full armor of God that Christians are called to put on is comprised of the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Gospel of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit.

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,” (Ephesians 6:14).

Some translations use a phrase like: “having girded your loins with truth” (NASB). The loin is an uncommon term in modern English. It refers to the lower back but includes the crotch area. In ancient days, men would wear long robes that would get in the way of work or fighting, so they would wrap up this long, decorating material. This was girding up one’s loins.

The Lord knew our loins needed to be wrapped in truth.  Regardless of the culture or time we live in, the Lord has seen all the paths we’ve taken and how they have hurt and derailed us. He knows we need truth.

Our identity is more than our sexuality, but this is one aspect of our lives that we often view as a definer. The first area of life in which the enemy frequently attempts to shake is our sense of identity. And the things pertaining to sex are easy pickings for him. We need freedom regarding sexuality. We need the truth about who we are. And only Jesus is the Truth that sets us free.

David Chadwick said it this way in his Moments of Hope devotional:

“The first piece of the armor is the belt of truth. Truth, by its very definition, is exclusive. It means something is true and other things are lies. The evil one is the father of lies (John 8:44). Every lie finds its origin in him.

“Every other piece of the full armor of God is attached to the belt of truth. If you don’t begin with truth, you’ll never defeat the enemy. And Jesus said God’s Word is true (John 17:17).”

·       Pursue the truth on a specific topic, but don’t forget to grab hold of the whole of Scripture. Don’t just study the parts that come easy for reading. Press into the whole guidance of God’s Word.

·       Pray with God’s Word. Use the word of Truth as a model to guide your prayers.

·       Memorize the truth for quicker access when you need it. Cover your world with Scripture on post-it notes, screen savers, and anything that will help you remember God’s Word in the spiritual battle.

 

“…with the breastplate of righteousness in place…” (Ephesians 6:14).

Righteousness means being made right. Sometimes Scripture refers to righteousness that Christ gives us – His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Sometimes Scripture refers to righteousness that God carries out through us, like “the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8). 

In our daily spiritual battles, both varieties of righteousness protect the heart. We need the complete righteousness of Christ, but also the continuing righteousness that comes as a response to God’s gift.

The enemy tempts us and everyone we know with all kinds of sinful predicaments, but righteousness protects our hearts. God’s instructions are often viewed as killjoys or burdens to most. But obedience to God is a protection for your heart from being hurt and afflicted by sin.

 

·       Soak in and obey instructions from the Lord. If there’s an area of your life that feels like it gets easily entangled in sin, ask a brother or sister in Christ, or a spiritual leader or mentor to share some scriptural truths that might help you walk in the Lord’s plan more fully.

·       Ask a trusted person to pray for you if you are struggling with obedience. All Christians struggle, but none of us were meant to struggle alone. We make easy targets for the enemy when we do not obey God.  Wouldn’t you agree?

 

 

“…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

Peace is a characteristic of the Lord’s very person and character (Galatians 5:22). In Greek, peace means “oneness or wholeness”. The gospel, which means good news, is the forgiveness of sins and access to and oneness with God through faith in Christ.  This oneness with the Lord produces peace.

Ephesians repeatedly reminds us to “stand” and to “stand firm.” One of the easiest ways for the enemy to succeed in shaking us loose from standing firm is to tempt us with worry. When we carry anxiety, anxiousness, and worry with us, we are robbed of peace.  But the gospel of peace keeps our feet secured and anchored and standing firm.

·       Ask the daily Lord to remind you of His gospel work on your behalf.

·       Set your security and identity in His work and not yours.

·       Surround yourself with Scripture about the truth of your place with Christ into your heart. And remove the ideas and incoming thoughts from the enemy that steals your sense of security in Christ.

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,” (Ephesians 6:16).

When Paul wrote this passage, Roman soldiers carried shields that were covered with heavy animal hide. Before a battle, they would dip their shields into the water so that when fiery darts hit them, the wet hide would extinguish the darts.  Pretty slick, right?

In a similar way, a Christian’s shield of faith – OUR shield of faith, needs to be regularly dipped in the living water of God’s word to be replenished and fully working – because “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

·       If your faith feels less confident and weaker than you wished it did, ask the Lord to increase your faith (Mark 9:24).

·       Find verses that feed your faith and fill your entire world and every fiber of your being with them.

·       Set your faith in God’s righteousness, not on a circumstance that’s occurring in your life.

“Take the helmet of salvation,” (Ephesians 6:17).

Salvation comes the moment we place our trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection as the payment in full for our sin. But salvation is also worked out through a lengthy process of sanctification.

The helmet of salvation, just like the breastplate of righteousness, rests on the work of Christ to save us, but also involves us as we journey with the Lord and allow Him to work that salvation into every part of our thoughts. The battlefield of our mind is the primary place spiritual battle is fought. The Lord works His freeing truth into our perspectives while the enemy fights for strongholds to bind us (John 10:10).

·       Surrender thoughts that don’t line up with Scripture. As Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

·       Remember the Lord’s character and faithfulness in Scripture as well as in your life experience.

·       Wash and cleanse your mind with the renewing of God’s Word. As Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

The explanation of this piece of armor is right there in the verse – it is the Word of God. And it is the only piece of armor that is both defensive and offensive.

“When we are tempted, the most effective weapon that God has given to us as believers is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

“Jesus modeled this so beautifully during His temptation in the wilderness. When the devil tried temptation after temptation against Him, Jesus used the sword of the Spirit (see Luke 4:1-13).”

When the devil tempted him three times, Jesus responded with the truth of God’s Word – Every.  Single. Time.

 

I heard and so now use a powerful statement.  I can’t recall where, but it was by God’s grace it was given to me.  It states, “Before you use the Word of God as a two-edge sword, first use it as a mirror.”  I wanted to throw that in for relevancy and balance.

 

As we conclude, I want to ask you a serious question and it has no implication whatsoever – implied or expressed.  It did, however, convict me and does from time to time – we all need conviction, and that conviction can only come from the Holy Spirit and then your free will to receive it and respond.

 

Who’s armor are your wearing right now – yours, God’s, or none at all?

So, before we end today’s show, I just want to thank you all again for tuning in and I HOPE you were touched by today’s message and scripture.  If you’d like to reach out to me, please call me directly at 4074933208, email me at ben@shaken-awake.com, or check out the show at shaken-awake.com.

 

Until next time, take great care of yourself and each other, and God Bless You ALL.