Don't go Naked! Dress for Success as a Christian Warrior

It appears you are under attack from the devil, everything is just going wrong. Oh my God! You feel like the whole world is against you and you just cannot get a break.

How do you overcome this feeling? How do you change your reaction and gradually rebound?

There is no other way than to begin again, to trust in the word of God regardless of how you feel. Your reaction must be to focus on God's power and not on your own strength. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6: 12)

Know Your Enemy

The fight is real but to have the victory we must know who we are fighting. We should have the mindset that we are not fighting people, we are fighting the spirit that is in them and controlling their minds.

Principalities - means the cultures that govern people, towns, or cities.

Powers - the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the courses of events.

Rulers of Darkness - These rulers of darkness are individuals under the influence of the devil, who are in positions of leadership or influence and practice spiritual wickedness.  

                                                        Steps for Victory

First, you must pray and, in your prayer, acknowledge exactly how you feel and ask the Lord to help you overcome your feeling of despair. He may do it immediately or overtime but never stop praying and believing regardless of how you feel.

Now this is very important, you must remember that you are in a spiritual war with the devil who is trying to take control of your mind, to cause you to lose hope and walk away from the Lord. That should not be your reaction. Never, never give up.

 

How to Dress for Success as a Christian

To eventually have the victory and completely change your life you must put on “the whole armor of God.”

The phrase "the whole armor of God" comes from Ephesians 6:10-18, where the apostle Paul instructs Christians to be strong in the Lord and to stand against the schemes of the devil. He then lists seven pieces of armor that believers should wear: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit and prayer.

 

To put on the whole armor of God means to apply these spiritual realities to our lives and to rely on them in our daily battles against sin and temptation. It means to live in the truth of God's word, to pursue holiness and integrity, to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others, to trust God's promises and power, to rejoice in our salvation and hope, and to wield the word of God as a weapon against the lies and accusations of the enemy.

 

Putting on the whole armor of God is not a one-time act, but a continual process of growth and maturity in Christ. It requires prayer, study, obedience, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. It also involves recognizing our weaknesses and vulnerability and seeking God's help and protection. As we put on the whole armor of God, we can resist the devil and stand firm in our faith. We need to have a firm mindset that with the Lord on our side victory is guaranteed.

 

To put on the whole armor of God means to live in the power and protection of everything that God has done for us in Christ. It is a way of resisting the devil's schemes and standing firm in our faith. The Bible describes six pieces of armor that we can wear spiritually:

  

Put Your Armor on for Success

 

One of the most powerful metaphors in the Bible is the image of the Christian as a soldier who puts on the whole armor of God. But what does it mean to put on the whole armor of God? And what are the different pieces of armor that cover the vital organs of the soldier's body?

 

- The belt of truth: The belt was a vital part of the Roman soldier's equipment, as it held his tunic together and supported his sword and other weapons. The belt of truth represents our commitment to honesty and integrity, as well as our adherence to God's word. It helps us to avoid deception and hypocrisy and to stand firm in what we believe.

 

- The breastplate of righteousness: The breastplate was a piece of armor that protected the soldier's chest, where his heart and lungs were located. The breastplate of righteousness represents our moral purity and obedience to God's commands. It helps us to guard our hearts from sin and temptation, and to live in a way that pleases God.

 

- The shoes of readiness: The shoes were essential for the soldier's mobility and stability, as they enabled him to march long distances and to stand firm on any terrain. The shoes of readiness represent our readiness to share the gospel of peace with others, as well as our peace with God and with ourselves. They help us to walk in God's will and to stand firm in his grace.

 

- The shield of faith: The shield was a large and sturdy piece of equipment that covered most of the soldier's body. It was used to deflect arrows and other projectiles that were thrown or shot at him. The shield of faith represents our trust in God's promises and power, as well as our protection from the attacks of the enemy. It helps us to quench the fiery darts of doubt, fear, and accusation that Satan throws at us. It is believing and doing the word of GOD.

 

- The helmet of salvation: The helmet was a piece of armor that protected the soldier's head, where his brain was located. The helmet of salvation represents our assurance of salvation and our hope in Christ. It helps us to protect our minds from doubt, despair, and distraction, and to focus on our eternal destiny. We must believe and know that we are saved regardless of our circumstances.

 

- The sword of the Spirit: The sword was the only offensive weapon in the soldier's arsenal. It was used to strike and wound the enemy in close combat. The sword of the Spirit represents the word of God, which is sharper than any double-edged sword. It helps us to fight against the enemy with God's truth and wisdom, and to expose his lies and schemes.

Prayer is also an important weapon and means of protection for Christians. We are to pray without ceasing. We should pray for ourselves, our: family, relatives, friends, colleagues, community, country, leaders, and the church.

 

Praying for Success 

 

As Christians, we are called to pray for all people, especially for our fellow believers. Prayer is a powerful weapon that can bring God's will and blessing to the church. But how can we pray effectively for the church? Here are some biblical principles to guide us:

Pray always, pray in the Spirit, pray with perseverance, and pray with supplication. This shows how vital prayer is in our lives, we must face our daily battles with prayer which will uplift our spirit and help to fortify our internal resolve.

 

To put on the whole armor of God means to appropriate each piece by faith and prayer, and to use them daily in our spiritual battles. It also means to depend on God's strength and not on our own, as Paul says in verse 10: "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." By putting on the whole armor of God, we can resist the devil, stand firm in our faith, and advance God's kingdom.

Is Jesus Crazy? 490 Times a Day!

It is easy to tell someone who has been hurt to forgive, however, when you have been hurt it is a different story. Forgiveness is easy to say but sometimes very difficult to do. If you have been hurt and you have been struggling to forgive the person, I understand. I know what it is like to be hurt also. It certainly is not easy to just forgive someone like that, especially when they hurt you deeply. Your natural reaction is that you feel angry and betrayed. You want to get back at them, make them pay, or see them suffer. The problem we struggle with as Christians is Jesus’ teaching about forgiveness. Should we follow his example and forgive those who hurt us?

 

 

Forgiveness means different things to different people. But in general, it involves an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:21-22 that we should forgive not just seven times, but seventy times seven. That means 490 times a day! That sounds impossible, right? How can we forgive someone so many times, especially if they keep hurting us or don't show any remorse? Is Jesus being unreasonable or unrealistic?

No, He is not. Jesus is showing us the way to true peace and freedom. He is teaching us that forgiveness is not a one-time act, but a continuous attitude of the heart. Forgiveness is not about letting the offender off the hook, but about letting go of our resentment and bitterness. Forgiveness is not about denying the pain or injustice but about healing and moving on. Forgiveness is not about being weak or passive, but about being strong and courageous.

Forgiveness does not mean that we condone or excuse the wrong behavior, or that we forget or ignore the harm done. Forgiveness does not mean that we must trust or reconcile with the offender, or that we have to give up our rights or seek justice. Forgiveness means that we release the offender from our anger and revenge and that we entrust them to God's judgment and mercy.

Jesus says that we must forgive four hundred and ninety times a day! It's a number that boggles the mind. How can we possibly forgive someone so frequently, especially if they keep hurting us? It raises the question: Is Jesus setting an unreasonable expectation, or is there a deeper meaning to this teaching?

Jesus' Teachings on Forgiveness

Forgiveness benefits us in many ways. It frees us from the burden of hatred and bitterness that weighs us down and poisons our relationships. It heals our wounds and restores our joy and peace. It opens our hearts to God's grace and love. It enables us to grow in compassion and empathy. It empowers us to break the cycle of violence and revenge. It reflects God's character and glorifies his name.

Forgiveness is not easy, but it is possible with God's help. Jesus himself forgave those who crucified him, and he gave us His Spirit to enable us to forgive others. We can pray for God's strength and grace to forgive, and for his healing and comfort for our pain. We can also seek support from others who can help us process our emotions and guide us in our journey of forgiveness. 

Forgiveness is a gift that we can give to ourselves and others. It is a gift that God has given to us through Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again to give us new life. Let us receive this gift with gratitude and share it with generosity.

The truth is we have sinned many times and each time we ask the Lord Jesus to forgive us and He does, Jesus says He will forgive us of our trespasses to the same degree that we forgive others. What Jesus is emphasizing here is not just the act of forgiveness, but the attitude of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not easy, but it is possible with God's help. Jesus himself forgave those who crucified him, and he gave us His Spirit to enable us to forgive others. We can pray for God's strength and grace to forgive, and for his healing and comfort for our pain. We can also seek support from others who can help us process our emotions and guide us in our journey of forgiveness.

How do we know that our heart has changed? The Lord is going to create a situation where someone hurts you and you find that the instinct to retaliate has been changed with the choice to forgive. Your reaction is different from what it used to be to similar situations. This teaching of Jesus is a radical departure from the eye for an eye principle. It calls for a kind of love that is patient, that is kind, that keeps no record of wrongs. It's a love that embodies the very essence of who Jesus is. This teaching challenges us to let go of our desire for revenge and instead, choose the path of forgiveness, no matter how difficult it may be."

 Summarizing the Lesson

"So, what's the takeaway from this profound teaching?" We've learned that Jesus calls us to forgive ceaselessly, even when it defies our natural instincts. He urges us to set aside the bitterness or the desire for revenge that can so easily creep into our hearts. This teaching embodies a radical form of love and mercy, challenging us to rise above our natural tendencies. "In the face of hurt and betrayal, Jesus challenges us to choose forgiveness, to choose love, and to choose mercy. This, perhaps, is the most difficult, yet the most transformative lesson on forgiveness."

A Personal Test of Forgiveness

"But how do we apply this in our daily lives?" you may ask. Well, it starts with small steps. Remember that one person who hurt you deeply? Perhaps it's an old friend who betrayed you, a colleague who spread rumors about you, or even a family member who let you down, it could also be your spouse. Instead of holding onto that pain, take a deep breath and say in your heart, "I forgive you." It won't be easy, and it certainly won't happen overnight, but it's the first step towards embodying the radical love that Jesus preached. Once you've taken this step, share your experience with others. Encourage them to do the same. Together, we can create a ripple effect of forgiveness and healing.