The Armour of God #6 The Sword of the Spirit

इफ़ीसीयो 6:17 .....और आत्मा की तलवार जो परमेश्वर का वचन है, ले लो। 

Ephesians 6:17 KJ.....and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

6. The Sword of the Spirit: An Offensive Armour for Victory

"LET SATAN CUT YOU, BLEED THE WORD OF GOD"

Sword is an offensive as well as defensive weapon of war. Defensive in terms of blocking enemy's attack. First battle in human history was over God's word. When God commanded Adam and Eve, "Do this and don't do that" Satan said, "Did God really say that"? Causing doubt and forgetfulness about the word of God. 

Satan's first war is against the word of God; though be it written or oral and it's same today. As long as Adam and Eve had the sword of the Spirit Satan could do nothing. So he wanted to take that away. That's called surrender. And Satan succeeded in Edenic war. Enemy had his way in Adam's life because they doubted and forgot what God SAID. From then on man is constantly loosing battle with the forces of darkness. 

Evident triumph could be witnessed across the globe; of lies over truth, darkness over light, fear over faith, hatred over love, pride over humility, deception over faithfulness, corruption over justice, partiality over equity, selfishness over benevolence, tyranny over mercy and what not.

Today in postmodern culture, the war is against absolute. Bible's claim to be an absolute truth is an abomination to a postmodernist. In this ever changing world of ideas and fleeting emotions, if something that's desperately needed is but the Unchanging Word of Truth.

In any war, when you put down your offensive weapon, it simply means you have surrendered. Satan wants us to surrender ourselves to him by forgetting and forsaking word of God. And that's true with many Christians today. We are ministers and face this issues a number of times. When the Bible is opened our eyes are closed.

When life goes hard, one of two things people do. Either they draw close to God or backslide. I remember one incident, o was preaching in a church about mediating word of God. After service was over, one lady came front and told my mother that, "I had almost stopped reading the Bible because I had been going through something worse in my life but now I'll resume my Bible reading". 

She had dropped her most powerful weapon before the challenges of life. 

This what enemy wants you to do, just surrender.

When it comes to learning the art of using this sword of the spirit Jesus Christ is the master. When Satan attacks Him with tempting questions and doubts, Jesus does nothings but shoves the unadulterated sword of the Spirit which is the plain word of God and defeats him right away. The lesson here one can learn is the remembering or memorising the Word of God. Jesus remembered what He had learned from His childhood and used it appropriately. Today, we need to learn and memorise the the Word of God, only then we withstand enemy's attack.

Now you use it to attack enemy. When you release it in the form of the gospel, attacking the strongholds of darkness. And Bible says word of God never turns back without accomplishing its purpose.

Heb 4:12 To cut the hearts of the people. Acts 2:36-37 Many a times, misusing the sword, we cut hearts of the people with our words just as Peter did, when he cut the ear of Malchus but use word of God for sewing broken hearts and cutting sinful hearts. Remember Jesus, when Satan came to tempt Him, He used nothing to counter him but word. And He didn't open the physical scriptures there but it was in His heart. Be victorious in Jesus' name.

"Take care of the Word of God and the Word of God will take care of you".

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The Armour of God #5 The Helmet of Salvation

इफिसियों 6:17 और उद्धार का टोप, Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation.

5. The Helmet of Salvation: The Protection of Thoughts (cognitive faculty)

"WHAT CONSUMES YOUR MIND CONTROLS YOUR LIFE"

Helmet becomes quite important when it comes to traffic. And mostly, Indians, make all efforts to avoid helmet unless police is around. Brain is understood to be most vulnerable and vital organ of human body. In Bible, king Abimelech lost his life because he encroached a city without helmet and a lady threw a stone in his head and his skull shattered into pieces. Judges 9: 53. 

Even an improper use of helmet may be fatal. For instance Goliath gave way to the stone of David. Even in wars headshots are most rewarded and expected if you want to completely destroy your enemy. In spiritual war, this helmet of salvation is not for the protection of your head from any physical stone, bullet or accident but unseen evil thoughts. I remember playing shooting video games, which was then my favourite, headshot were given 100 points which was far more than other shots. 

Satan is also interested in getting 100 points. More than your body he is interested in attacking your head, your thoughts.

Jesus said, "even if you thought sinful you have committed the sin", James 1:15, "when passion becomes pregnant gives birth to sin". This could be the thoughts of sexual perversion, discouragement, failure, inferiority, suicidal, weakness, pride and what not?

In the case Job, Satan tried physical assault but failed then he uses head shots by attacking his feelings and emotions. Job's friends and wife came to inflict pain on him psychologically. All words of discouragement. And today also he does the same. You may be looking well from outside, good job, income, family settlement but he is working inside your mind. Like a termite eating you from within. Satan sends negative thoughts, feeling of discouragements, defeat, loneliness, lostness, dejection, sexual perversion and what not? So in such context wearing the helmet of salvation means remembering that you are victorious. No matter what kind of a negative thought Satan infuses into your neurones, you always come out victorious. You don't linger in evil thoughts. Salvation is a victory given to you freely for which you have not fought but Jesus Christ has and won the battle over Satan. So now you can live victoriously by embodying helmet of salvation. 

In the case of Israel again this attack could be seen. They had already been delivered, now they are far far away from the land of their enemy but Satan comes to attack with thoughts; remembering the things of the old land and they ended up loosing their salvation and miserably died. So this mental or psychological attack of Satan can get so fatal that you can't even imagine. Today, many Christians are not being physical attacked with disease or apparent demon possessions as much they are attacked in their cognition. It's hard to even recognise that Christians are attacked. In Bible there are many examples, as such David was with sinful thoughts, Elijah was attacked with the spirit of fear, Judas was attacked with suicidal spirit. All of these attacks are cognitive in their nature.

When you think about the process of salvation, it's actually cognitive in nature. It takes place in the mind, faith is in the mind, accepting Jesus is in the mind. The verb 'believe in Jesus' is actualized in the mind which results in one's salvation. 

So we must protect OUR MIND with the thoughts of salvation and victory. Bible says, above all, guard you thoughts, heart and mind. Philippians 4:7, Proverbs 4:23. By setting our thoughts on the things of above. Colossians 3:1-2, Philippians 4:8.

GOD BLESS !!!

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The Armour of God #4 The Shield of Faith

इफिसियों 6:16 और उन सब के साथ विश्वास की ढाल लेकर स्थिर रहो जिस से तुम उस दुष्ट के सब जलते हुए तीरों को बुझा सको। Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

4. Shield of faith- The Protection

Shield is a highly defensive armour. It's made of iron or bronze, it was always big enough to protect whole body from top to bottom. It would have thick animal skin on top of it, which was made wet to quench the fiery darts of enemy. Faith in Christ's blood is our first defence against great accuser. Zec. 3:1-5. 

Faith runs the world. As we live our day today life we live it by believing random people for some specific reasons. Though be it sitting in a plane, a train or an auto everything requires faith on Pilate. Eating food in mess requires faith on cook. Everything requires faith on unknown persons. Similarly in Christian also we need to put our faith on God for everything even if you are capable enough to get things through by your own. It a recognition of God's favour in your life. Faith in God evidences His existence and His works in a believer's life. And this is what makes our life possible on this earth. Despite having the aptitude of fulfilling our daily needs we ought trust God, was the key emphasis that Jesus wanted to communicate through the Lord Prayer when he said, 'Give is our daily bread'. Sadly enough, Satan wants to kill that very faith in God. The only reason Satan attacks Christians is to make them loose their confidence in God. Job is the classic example of this fact. What was God doing with Abraham at his age of 95, testing his faith on Him. What was Satan trying to do with Job, kill his confidence in God. But Job said my redeemer liveth. 

Jeremiah 17:7-8 

If anything you wanted from God and over the time you are loosing your faith in Him, thinking that He would not fulfil His promise, that's where Satan is getting victorious in and through You. 

When you think that you are weak, you can't overcome the challenges of life. God doesn't strengthen the one who is faithless. 

At the expense of your faith you find strength from God. God strengthens the one who has faith in Him not other way around.

Example of Israelites: why did God take His people through wilderness? Just to test their faith. And they miserable failed it. Our protection doesn't lie on haughty buildings, angels or even mighty hand of God but simple faith. 

Nothing can help you withstand satan's devices other than your simple Faith in God for the final victory, if not the immediate battle.

Image Source:https://liketreesplanted.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/shield-of-faith.jpg

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THE ARMOUR OF GOD #3 THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

इफिसियों 6:15

 पैरों में शांति के सुसमाचार सुनाने की तत्परता के जूते धारण करके तुम लोग अटल खड़े रहो।

Ephesians 6:15

and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

3. The Shoes - Gospel of Peace - Gospelization

In the Bible foot is the symbol of direction or a walk. Gospel of peace is the good news of salvation. It is symbolized with shoes so that our direction will be always towards unsaved fallen world. Every job or business in this world is a kind of help of one human being to another human being or a society. For an instance, if a guy sells packaged water in train, no doubt he is making money out of it, but on the flip side of the coin he is quenching the thirst of the masses who come and buy them. Similarly, amidst the vast variety of works, the work of gospelisation is supreme. Because it's Spirit business. 

Saving a soul from eternal damnation is greatest help that you can ever do to anyone. As we have been saved, it's our responsibility to share this news of salvation to unsaved. 

This is where real battle begins. It's only with the salvation work that we encroach the territory of Satan's strongholds. Gospel work is snatching people form form hell, its the task of challenging Satan on his territory, its a task of jeopardizing one's life for others. This is what makes Satan most furious. 

Remember in Matthew's gospel chapter 28, what Jesus commanded, Go and make disciples, there is no word as such believers but disciples. So every believer is a disciple. 

Above all, Man gets an honour to partner God in accomplishing His divine plan. It's significant to realize that joining the task of sharing gospel is a privilege.  It's more honourable than any business or job of this world. It has better reward than any treasury of this world. This gives more satisfaction than any other work you could do on the earth. At the same time, this has more risk than other job of this world. This has more challenges because children of darkness don't want to let your light shine over them. Jesus said this world will hate you as they hated me. Present world had money, power and fame but no peace. 

The true peace, that human soul is persistently searching, is not found in the riches of this world, neither in the aesthetic of any corner of this globe but only and only in the name of Jesus. Let's fill this world with the peace of God. Isaiah 52:7 how beautiful art the feet that bringth good news. 

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The Armour of God #2 Breastplate of Righteousness

इफ़िसियो 6: 14 और धार्मीकता की झिलम पहिन कर।
Ephesians 6:14 KJV
...and having on the Breastplate of righteousness.

2. Breastplate of Righteousness - Privileged to Worship & Pray

During any battle Breastplate is used for protecting the front torso and vital organs of human body from any fatal damage. It was made of a special solid piece of metal with many layers of iron plates to withstand any attack of enemy. 

Righteousness has two fold understanding in the Bible. First, Christ's righteousness which was imputed on us at His sacrifice. Second, our maintenance of the same. Once we become righteous we have got to maintain the identity of being righteous. Many think of this in opposite terms, like, once saved nothing to maintain anymore and they continue in old and sinful lifestyle. 

Why would God make human being righteous? 

The sole purpose of making man righteous is to give us the lost privilege of establishing then (Edenic scandal) broken relationship through the privilege of worship and prayer. Because prayer and worship is the way to communicate with God and communication is key to relationship. Righteousness means, in simplest language, being right before God and gives us access to worship. Psalms says in 24:3 who can ascend in the hill of God, the one who has clean hands and pure heart. 2 Samuel 22:15 Obedience is better than sacrifice. Sacrifice denotes worship and no one can worship unless they are obedient or clean in their heart. This is the gate of the Lord and the righteous will enter thorough it Ps. 118:20. Psalmist 66:18 also says if I have iniquity in my heart the Lord would not hear me. Now we are to maintain that righteousness through the purity of our lives. Only then we get access to God for worship and fellowship. 

In the OT, first Israelites were delivered and then were allowed to make alter and worship Yahweh. Worship and prayer are inseparable and is the backbone of Christianity. And this is What, among few things, Satan fears most. He can't find victory over the one who is the true worshipper of God and maintains a persistent prayer life. This two hold Christians up as does the belt to body. Because worship and prayer causes us to develop relationship and no unholy and unrighteous being can have relationship with the Holy God. Satan may have lied to you that you can't change, I'm like this I can't change, this is the way God has created me !!! 

All these lies are satanic. Remember that You can live a righteous life through Christ. And this breastplate of righteousness will protect you from any fatal damage that Satan thinks he can inflict on you.

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The Armour of God #1 BELT OF TRUTH

इफ़िसियो 6:13-14 इसलिये परमेश्वर के सारे हथियार बान्ध लो, कि तुम बुरे दिन में साम्हना कर सको, और सब कुछ पूरा करके स्थिर रह सको।
14 सो सत्य से अपनी कमर कसकर !!!
Ephesians 6:13-14 KJV
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth !!!

It's calculated that around 14500 wars have been fought from 3600 BC till present day. Only 292 years of peace and 5305 years of war. In Bible, right from Genesis to Revelation, one can see a good number of battles recorded. From the time of Cain war began. And this should not surprise us because Jesus has already predicted about this in Matthew 24:6,7. 

However, Bible's ongoing focus is on war between God and Satan, good and Evil. This battle is for the dominance of human heart. And we are the instruments in the hand of God that God uses to trample the schemes of devil. 

Though our armours, enlisted in the scriptures, are throughly spiritual, they don't necessarily mean unreal and ineffective. They are immaterial armours to fight the war not done amidst constitutes of flesh and blood but spiritual being. 2 Corinthians 10:3,4 

Paul instructs Timothy that We should be ready and committed for this battle. 2 Timothy 2:3,4. This armour of God denotes entire package of God's plan for mankind.

1. Belt of Truth- The Deliverance

In Bible times belt held together the soldier's garment and most of the weaponry to make his movements swift and steady. And it also provided strength and support to the backbone. In weight lifting belt is very important for proper support to entire body. So as it was during Bible times today also belt has similar purpose. In John 8:32, Jesus said, you shall know the truth and truth Shall set you free. It means we don't only point to the truth but wear it as belt which will hold together our life. The only purpose Jesus came to this world of to set humanity free. 

This denotes our deliverance...truth shall set you free. Like people of Israel were delivered from Egyptian bondage by the provision of God through prophet Moses. It's in Jesus, the ABSOLUTE TRUTH, that mankind is delivered from the corruption of this world. Deliverance is the starting point and first armour recorded here sets the warrior free and provides support for living because unless we first experience the deliverance we can't preach the message of deliverance. In order to attack an enemy a soldier needs to be free completely. Furthermore, man shall, not only be delivered but shall live by this truth. Galatians 2:20 Christ lives in us. So the starting point is the place of deliverance. Many have been delivered but later they failed to let Christ live in them. Consequently, they again go back to bondage and forget about their spiritual battle. Let's once again experience the liberty and this time maintain it as a way of life, let the Christ named belt bind your life strongly.

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