Fighting for my Joy

 I haven't posted in a long while, because there was a long stretch in which I couldn't find anything that suited the title of my blog to write about.  

It was a long season of drought.  Both for the state of Texas, and my own spirit.  Although Texas may still be in the midst of a drought, God sent along some wonderful friends, mentors, and guides to love and nourish my heart until I finally feel like I'm coming out the other side of the desert.  There have definitely been some rainy days full of blessings pouring down!  

Some of them have been in relation to a study I'm doing.  One of my friends suggested I might be going through so much because I'm being attacked spiritually.  I could see her point, but that means I'm in the midst of a battle I didn't even know was raging around me!  So I decided to study about our spiritual warfare.  

What is our protection?  What armor do we have? 

What are our weapons?  Can we fight back? 

What is our battle strategy?  Can we make an actual plan against an enemy we cannot see?

Who is our enemy?  Who or what are we actually fighting?  How can I know my enemy so I'm aware of what tricks may come along?  

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evili comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Staqnd firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with shich you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.  (NIV)

We are commanded to put on ALL the armor of God - not so we can fight each other.  Not so we can fight unbelievers.  But so we can fight against demonic and Satanic forces ruling our world.  Are we really ready to get into the battle and really learn about our enemy, learn about our armor and our weapons, and even more importantly, learn not just how to fight, but how to WIN our battles?  I am certainly tired of constantly being the one attacked, constantly being on the defensive, constantly being hit, attacked, and beat down by the enemy.  So, Step 1, then, is getting ready for the battle, putting on some armor!  

• The Belt of Truth - Well, why a belt?  That was my first thought.  Wouldn't chainmail be the first thing a warrior would need?  What on earth is a belt going to protect??  So, Google queen that I am, I looked it up.  Picture an ancient Roman.  Ceasar, townsfolk, Alexander the Great, whoever you want.  You're picturing a long, dress-like robe, or possibly a knee length garment, gathered at the waist with some sort of belt, right?  Well, that long, flowy robe would get in the way of daily duties. It's hard to milk a cow, or harvest your grain, or run after a wayward sheep when you keep tripping over your robe, isn't it?  So they would grab the hem of the back of the robe, pull it forward, between their legs, and over the front of the robe, and tuck it into their belt.  This would keep the robe out of the way of their daily duties, so they could get done what they needed to do.  What does this have to do with armor?  I'm glad you asked!  What, in our lives, is in the way of us being truly effective for God?  We use TRUTH to get those things under control and out of the way for what God wants for us.  Satan is the father of lies, so it is especially important to base everything we do, and every battle we fight on the truth of God's word.  And the belt of truth helps us keep the lies and distractions out of the way while we fight.  
• The Breastplate of Righteousness - Again, back to my ancient Roman research.  The breastplate protects your heart and organs.  That makes sense that it's important to have our breastplate on.  But why righteousness?  What is it about the breastplate that represents righteousness?  Well, righteousness is how we live, our standing before God.  If we live in right standing with God, careful that nothing comes between us and our God, our breastplate of righteousness will protect our hearts when Satan tries to hit us with things that would take our heart away from God.  
• Feet shod with the Gospel of Peace - The word gospel means 'good news'.  Our feet are to be covered with the good news of peace.  Any armor that has to do with peace seems odd for a warrior.  Isn't a battle kind of the opposite of peace?  Maybe not.  In World War II, were the Allies fighting just to fight?  Being mean to the Axis powers by fighting back?  Not in the least.  They were fighting to protect the lives, and freedoms of the oppressed.  They were fighting to restore peace.  Our feet keep us standing, steady, and help us move forward.  So if we know we are in the battle to bring good news and peace to those the enemy is holding, we will not be shaken or unsteady, we can keep moving forward, and advancing His kingdom of peace.  
• Shield of Faith - When we carry a shield, it protects us from what is trying to attack us.  It can even be used to protect those who are fighting with us.  When we continue to have faith, it protects us from the enemy's attacks because we are trusting that God is on our side and will protect us.  Romans 10:17 says, "So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."   (NIV) So, to strengthen your shield, stay in the Word, and listen to the messages you receive there.  
• Helmet of Salvation - A helmet protects our head, which is obviously going to be our thoughts.  But why salvation?  2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.   Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.   The helmet of salvation is not referring to salvation of the soul from hell.  It is talking about salvation from being destroyed by the enemy, made useless in your work for God by the attacks and damage you receive in battle.  So, to succeed in the battle, to be saved, healthy and strong for the next battle, we need to be taking every thought captive, stay in the Word, being vigilant, so that we are working out our salvation in the midst of the battle.  

When you put all these pieces of armor together, a belt to keep us from getting tripped up and distracted, a breastplate to protect our hearts, boots to keep us standing strong and moving forward, a shield to protect ourselves and others, and a helmet to ensure we remain healthy for all the battles to come, what an amazing picture God has given us!  And what amazing provisions God gave us.  He knew we would face battles, and he provided exactly what we would need to be protected in the battle, because he loves us that much.  

Something to bring us joy, every day!