Topic: Preparation for warfare
Text: James 4:5-7
Key verse: Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.
Man\’s greatest spiritual battles have always been in the mind. Satan looked for a way to overcome the people who God had given the earth to subdue and have dominion over, and the way he thought he could do it successfully was to engage the mind of Eve. The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Genesis 2
Notice that the devil first engaged her mind; he made her query God\’s instruction, the motive behind it, and the wisdom in obeying it. As she wrestled in her mind these issues, she fell woefully, because she was not equipped to discern and overcome the adversary. Nevertheless, she was armed with the truth but not knowing how to deploy it as a defensive weapon, the enemy got her cheaply. The belt of truth is designed to protect us from the lies of the devil. One of his names is, the father of liars. If you know the identity of your adversary very well, you will beat him at his own game in his territory.
You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and half-truths. John 8:44
One of the enemy’s specialty is he thrives on Half-truths. These are lies too, but because they are colored with some truth it is very easy to fall for them. He got Eve with half-truths and the result was Unfaithfulness to God!
Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.
Faithfulness to God is very important, once you succeed in losing an inch of trust and confidence in God, you lose your faith in him as a good God, your defenses will be weakened and your victory in that battle is compromised. Imagine an African woman going to battle dressed with a wrapper, if she fails to secure it with another cloth, she will spend more time during the fight trying to hold on to the wrapper to avoid nakedness instead of attacking the adversary. The belt of truth secures you from vulnerability to the devil.
Why do we need to focus on truth first? You must not be unfaithful to God in your heart! God has put His spirit in you, a portion of him lives in you, when you are unfaithful, giving room to doubt, you also fail to defend yourself from the arrows, fiery darts of the enemy. The opposite of doubt or unbelief is faith, the weapon of faith is described as a shield. No warrior can go to battle and win without a shield to protect himself. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Ephesians 6:16
Is there unfaithfulness in your relationship with God? We cannot do battle without God, our victory is only possible when we are in union with him. It is time to fix your relationship with God, l present to you, two weapons that will help you: Truth and faith.
What will you do now; take a good look at your life, where have you had the most difficulty? Ask God to show you any lies you have believed that has made you vulnerable. Ask Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to show you the lies you embraced. Listen carefully to your words they reveal what you believe, watch the scriptures you will receive, take note of the dreams you will have, and listen to the Holy Spirit.
Write out the lies you are shown. Repent of them and ask God to show you the truth to replace those lies with. Examples of lies: “God does not love me”, ” God has abandoned me”, “I can’t make it”, “I don’t have anyone to help me”, “No one loves me”? “This is my sickness” etc.
Now, renounce those lies, especially the lies against the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, confess the truth God has given you in the scriptures and words that were spoken to your heart. Build up your faith by speaking the truth. Confess your faith and trust in God in those difficult areas of your life.
Coast clear now, we have covered some ground. Praise God! But give reverent honor in your hearts to the Anointed One and treat him as the holy Master of your lives. And if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith 1 Peter 3:15 (TPT)
Blessings
Roses&Thorns