Dressed for Battle - Ephesians 6:10-18

Protective equipment of all kinds exists to keep people safe from injury and death. Firefighters have special uniforms to keep back the flames, medical personnel have gloves that protect them from diseases, cyclists wear helmets, boaters wear life vests, and divers wear masks. Soldiers, though, have a different kind of need.



While others need protection from fire, water, infection, or falls soldiers need protection from an enemy who seeks their destruction. Because of this they need gear that protects their vital organs, but also allows for speed and flexibility in movement while holding up under harsh conditions. In addition to this they also need a weapon so that they can counterattack.



Paul’s words to the Ephesians serve as a reminder that Christians are soldiers at war. Not a war of bullets and bombs, but of lies, temptation, and confusion. Our enemy is real and he will relentlessly pursue our destruction and the frustration of God’s plan. In light of this Paul says that we should stand. Stand your ground in spite of the evil one’s attacks. Not in your own strength, but by the power of God seeking the protection of the Armor that He provides and using the Sword of His word to fight back.



The Battle Gear that God provides has been specifically designed to give us maximum protection if we will put it into use. The first piece of equipment is the Belt of Truth. Like a belt, truth holds everything together. As Christians we gain truth from God’s word. Knowing it and applying it skillfully is our best defense against the lies of the enemy. Along with it is the Breast-Plate of Righteousness. It is designed to protect the vital organs of the chest, especially the heart. A life of doing right helps set boundaries that protect us from the trap of sin and it’s hardening of our hearts.



The Gospel of Peace serves as the solid foundation on which we stand. The Gospel is the message of salvation and hope that leads to peace with God through Jesus. Any other message would dilute our purpose and cause us to stumble. When the enemy attacks with lies and temptation it is the Shield of Faith which allows us to withstand the attack. It is our faith in God and His word which gives us hope. Not a blind faith, but trust in God’s character and His promises will defeat the enemy. The Helmet of Salvation provides us with the assurance of God’s presence in this life and in the life to come. Belief in this makes us fearless. Knowing that we belong to God means that the enemy can only do to me what the Father allows and even if he takes my life he doesn’t win because the moment I exit this world I will rest with my God.





It’s not all about defense, though. We can also take the offensive the Sword of the Spirit and Prayer. These weapons bring to bear the power of Almighty God in our lives and will overpower anything that the devil throws at us, if we will put them to use. Every soldier is taught the value of care for and use of His equipment. Yours has been issued to you, but it will do you no good if you keep it on the shelf. You are at war and the enemy will bring the fight to you. Are you ready? Take up your Armor and your Sword and fight the fight with prayer and faith in God. Honor Him and you will see your foe defeated and left powerless. One day we will be able to lay our weapons down, but until then stay in the fight.





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The Fall - Genesis 3

Some call it a fairy tale or a myth, but I believe it is a true story of love, failure, and redemption.  It began in the cool of the day as God bent down and formed a man out of the ground, and then made a wife for Adam out of his rib.  Later he gave them responsibility for the garden and one simple command.  It wasn't meant to be a setup for failure, but an opportunity for obedience.  God wanted them to choose Him, but the sad reality is that they chose something else.  The impact of their disobedience has been earth shattering; everything has been impacted by it. 

  

Loss of Innocence.  In the beginning Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed, but that didn't last long.  Sin brought shame, guilt, and grief into their lives, not quite what the serpent had promised them.  Sin always brings with it a higher price tag than we anticipate, and in this case it cost them everything. 

Loss of Intimacy with God.   Adam and Eve walked and talked with God in the garden.  They saw Him face to face, but sin changed that.  A Holy God cannot allow mankind’s sin to be in His presence.  It has been a barrier between us and our creator ever since.

Pain in Childbirth.  Enough said.

Conflict in Marriage.  Eve was formed from the rib of her husband signifying their unity.  That was forever changed by the choice of self over God.  From that point on their unity would be challenged by the desire to put self first, and we still struggle with it today.  Fights, affairs,  and all the other struggles that couples face share the common thread of selfishness, it is the biggest threat to unity that a husband and wife will face.

The Ground is Cursed.  It no longer produces food without effort.  Every time you fight to get weeds out and struggle to get flowers or crops to grow it’s because of sin.  The ground is no longer our friend and will fight against us to the very end.

Death.  The final curse will one day claim us all.  This was the crux of the serpent’s deception, “you will not surely die,” he told them.  They bought the lie and we have all suffered its effects.  They did not die immediately, but they did die and so will we.  It is the constant enemy who seeks to claim us all.

If things ended there it would be tragic, but the God of love could not allow that to be the case.  In the midst of passing judgment He also tells of the coming hope.  There would be One who would come to once and for all break the curse of sin relieving us from all of these crippling consequences.  In His death on the cross Jesus did that.  He set us free from all that sprang from the serpent’s deception, even death.  Three days later as He walked out of the tomb He guaranteed that we are no longer bound by the curse.  Faith in that breaks the curse and sets us free.  That my friend is the Good News.  

Trial by Fire- James 1:2-5

It's easy to be thankful when good things happen, but what about the times that are hard, painful or uncertain?  James says that those are the times that we should thank God.  The same God is with us during the pleasure and the pain, so if He allows a trial to enter your life it makes sense that there is a purpose for it and it is that purpose which James challenges us to be thankful for.

 So when your next trial strikes remember:

Attitude is Everything. The attitude you have can make the difference between success and failure during a trial.  Be ready.  Expect that bad things will happen.  This isn't being pessimistic, just realistic. Peter says that we shouldn't be surprised trials will come, they are a result of sin and also work to revel God's glory as we endure them (1 Peter 4:12-13)

There is a Purpose. Trials can have a positive result when we respond well to their attack.  They reveal what we are made of, build our strength for the next trial, and add power to our testimony.  God allowed this to enter your life for a reason.

Rely on God. That is the only way to survive.  The natural responses of running, giving up, or getting angry lead to defeat.  When we rely on God we gain strength to endure and overcome, and also learn how to better rely on Him for the next storm.

Ultimately when a trial drives you to your knees that is right where God wants you.  Remember that faith pleases God.  When a trial helps you rely on God, grow in your faith, and build your testimony it's worthy of your thankfulness.  So, don't run from your next trial.  Thank God for it, and embrace it for His glory.