The other day I was looking at photos of armor for the front of our bulletin. I was preaching on Spiritual Warfare from Eph. 6:10-17. I found 2 pics that I really liked and was trying to decide which to use, That’s when the LORD touched me with a question: Mike, what is the difference in these 2 pics?
Both were of the ARMOR OF GOD, the necessary equipment for spiritual warfare. One was a little more colorful than the other one, but that didn’t seem important enough to deserve a question from the LORD. I don’t know how many times I asked myself that question: What’s the difference?
Then BINGO! In one photo, the armor was just sitting there by itself; in the other, the armor has been put on the warrior and he was battle ready.
With that in mind, please, read Eph 6:10-17 one more time.
10 Finally, BE STRONG in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 PUT ON the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore TAKE UP the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND FIRM. 14 STAND therefore, having FASTENED on the belt of truth, and having PUT ON the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having PUT ON the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances TAKE UP the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and TAKE the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Now please answer these 11 questions:
1- Will God be strong for you? NOPE!
2- Will God put on the whole armor for you? NOPE!
3- Will God take up the whole armor for you? NOPE!
4- Will God stand firm for you? NOPE!
5- Will God stand for you? NOPE!
6- Will God fasten the belt of truth for you? NOPE!
7- Will God put on the breastplate of righteousness for you? NOPE!
8- Will God put on your shoes of readiness for you? NOPE!
9-Will God take up the shield of truth for you? NOPE!
10- Will God take the helmet of salvation for you? NOPE!
11- Will God take the sword of the Spirit for you? NOPE!
If God won’t do these things for you, then how does a Christian get BATTLE READY each and every day?
Remember, God will not do for His children, what He has empowered them to do for themselves. He will always do what we cannot do, but NOT what He has equipped us to do.
Mike Sublett is a pastor at Hi-Land Christian Church, 1615 N. Banks St., Pampa, Texas 79065. Email him at pawdad@nts-online.net.
