FULL AMOUR FOR COMPLETE VICTORY

FULL Amour for COMPLETE VICTORY

Text:    Ephesians 6. 10-17,                                                                                   October 27, 2016

The Christian race is full of warfare for which we need the full armour of God. This is not limited to the normal secular challenges of life but sometimes spiritual. The scriptures confirm that though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. Meaning though we are human and in the flesh, yet our challenges and battles are not limited to the flesh, our oppositions and enemies are not mere humans, but spiritual beings of wicked forces.  Our warfare are both internal and external. We must earnestly contend against our own fleshly lust, passions and desires (internal); and we also confront wicked forces in high places (external). Wrong targets in warfare results into great loss; and wrong choice of armour bring disappointments and defeat. The major enemy of the believer is Satan, the Devil. He is not human but spiritual, yet he uses human elements to attack, oppose and war against believer. He has his agents and lieutenants in high wicked places supporting his mission against Christians in all ages and every nation.  To overcome Satan, you must make sure you are born again, and be renewed from this prevailing negative practices in the world. Sin must have been conquered, Self must have been crushed and himself must have been crucified to the Lord. It’s only then we can experience complete victory over the devil and his agents using our full armour.

COMMON WARFARE OF CHRISTIANS 2 Cor. 2.11,  2Pet. 2.11, Luke 21.34, Eph. 6.12, Esther 3.6,8-9, 1 Kings 13.18, 1 Chron 21.1, Matt 4.1-10,

The word device represents crafty plots of the enemy against an individual who gives his/her life to Christ. Note that we wrestle not against flesh and blood though he may appear in human strategy (Eph. 6.12). Their focus is not against your person, but because you had decided for the Lord. Firstly, the devil doesn’t want anyone to be saved. His intention is to keep everyone under his bondage, but the moment you repent of your sins and profess Christ as your Lord and savior, giving your life to him, the battles and challenges becomes different. He engages believers in warfare through the lust of the flesh. Therefore believers must be watchful (1 Peter. 2.11.) As we go through the scriptures, we can see some of their plots against the army of Christ as learn from their examples. This will help us prepare and stand against their wicked tricks and strategies. Note that the devil and his agents are crafty, they will not always come in the same way, but God is assuring us that whichever way they come, they will fail in Jesus name. For instance to the Jews in Shushan, he plotted extermination against Modecai and the Jews riding upon the non readiness of Modecai to reverence him (Esther 3.6,8-9). Deception was devised against the young prophet of Judah (I Kings 13.18). He plotted provocation against David for Israel’s destruction through pride and adamant census (I Chron. 21.1). To Jesus Christ he brought temptations, appealing to his hunger and glory (Matt. 4. 1-10). To Peter, he brought intimidation to deny His master and to later conclude “I go-a-fishing” (Mark 14.68-72). For Paul the Apostle, it was severe beating and excommunication and for the apostles it was persecution to scatter them (Acts 8.1). However, in view of all the crafty nature of our enemy, we must always be endued with the armour of God for it is only these that can make us unconquerable and invincible to the enemy.

OUR COMPREHENSIVE WEAPONS AND ARMOUR Eph. 6. 10-18, 2 Cor. 10.4-6

The Christian armour is called in scripture by many names. The armour of righteousnss (2 Cor. 6.7), armour of light (Rom 13.12), and the weapons of our warfare in our text. These weapons could be categorized into two. There are the defensive weapons used to defend, shield and protect ourselves from the arrows of the enemy. These are helmet of salvation, girdle of truth, breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit i.e the Word of God. The second class is the offensive weapons used to attack the enemy and conquer in battle. In warfare, we are not only to protect ourselves from their attacks, we are also called to demolish all their strongholds and demonstrate ability to stand firmly in the days of adversity. These two classes of Christian armour are integrated together and complement each other. A true Christian reads, believes and obey Gods word, and he is automatically preserved by God from dangers. Yet he claims those promises and speak the Word at the devil, and the plots of the enemy literarily crumbles.  These weapons are powerful because they are spiritual. The church becomes strong when we live righteously and demonstrate power over sin, Satan and the flesh. We must practically resist the devil through our obedience to God’s word (James 4.7). We must subject our thoughts and actions to the obedience of Christ and His will, knowing that nothing is hidden from Him (Titus 2.12). We must also watch our intentions and guide our eyes from every evil appearances that may corrupt us and make us defiled hence becoming vulnerable to Satan (I Thess. 5.22). And lastly avoid every corrupt associations and friendship but separate yourself holy unto the Lord as your master. Then we would be able to declare “the prince of this word cometh and find nothing in me” (John 14.30). However, watchfulness and prayer is the key offensive weapon against the enemy. A true Christian must be ready to pray earnestly to overcome the enemy claiming the words of God and throwing them at the devil as missiles. He must also be in readiness to avenge the devil and exercise authority through the Name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus, the undefeatable power of God, and through the confidence in God’s presence.  Examples in scriptures of such missiles are Isa. 54.14-17 promise of protection from the enemy, Isa 41.11-14 preservation against the gathering of evil forces, Ps 119.165- Prayer for peace in the midst of troubles, Ps. 32.8 Prayer for guidance and direction in time of confusion, Numbers 23.23 Prayer to cancel the devices of Satan, 2 Sam. 15.31 Prayer in time of conspiracy. Prov.18.10- Power through His name, Isa. 43.2-Divine presence, the blood of the lamb Rev.12-11, His delegated authority over demons Luke 10.19.Deliverance from every curse Gal. 3.13. Remember, righteousness of life brings boldness in prayer. Christians in warfare must be ready to pray all forms of prayers – of praises, intercession, authority, power, and all form of prayers should be utilized to completely demolish the strong holds of the devil. The weapon of prayer is further enhanced with fasting. But we must ensure we have total faith in God for it is God the answers and not by power nor by might. (Mark 11.23, James 5.13-15).

COMPLETE VICTORY THROUGH PRAYER AND WATCHFULNESS  Gen.39.12, Daniel 1.8, 6:10, 2 Kings 6. 18-20, Esther 4.16, Acts 13.8-11, Acts 12.5

God always deliver His children from all the plots of the enemy as long as they utilize their armour appropriately at the right time. As Christ’s ambassadors, Christian soldiers are not supposed to rest on the battle field. Its only the watchful and fully armed soldier that will always conquer the opponent in battle. Sleeping soldiers may fail for the enemy may come while he was unaware. But once we are steadfast, disciplined and watchful in righteousness and holiness, our victory is sure in Jesus Name. Young Joseph was confronted with challenge of immorality, yet he used the helmet of salvation. He fled and had dominion over the flesh. Daniel also in Babylon through prayer and determination avoided the drunkenness and defilement in Babylon to become the well beloved ambassador of God. He had dominion over human satanic conspirators and even the lions. Esther, Mordecai and the Jews through prayer and fasting, overturned the plot of Haman to have dominion over death sentence (Esther 4.16). Elisha through faith in God’s presence and power prayed “God smite this people with blindness, and he captured the host (2 Kings 6.18), Paul the apostle brought judgment to Elymas with word of authority for perverting his convert (Acts 13.8-11). The early church united together in prayer and loose Peter from the chain of death (Acts 12.5), Paul and Silas through prayer of praise got delivered from the prison and from death (Acts 16.26). How about you today. What battles are confronting you, as you learnt about the Christian armour today, Rise up to the challenge and claim your victory.