“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye ay be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplications in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saint…”
Ephesians 6:10-18
There are times in life where the enemy attacks and tries to overwhelm us with contrary circumstances. It could be a financial attack, an attack on your health, an attack on your loved one or something else. However, the Lord tells us exactly what to do when we face what seems to be an impossible situation.
First, we recognize that the attack is not coming from God. It is coming from the devil. That is why the scripture says that we are “able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” When we know that it is God’s will for us to prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers, (see 3 John 1:2), then we must take our stand against anything that does not line up with God’s will for our lives.
Next, make sure your armor is completely intact. Notice our armor listed in Ephesians. The helmet of salvation means we cast down any thought that does not line up with God’s word and promises about the situation. We keep our thoughts lining up with God’s thoughts.
The breastplate of righteousness is “Faith and Love” as listed in 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Therefore it is critical that as we stand in faith we walk in love. We forgive any that we have ought against.
The belt of truth is so important. Doctors may come and give a bad report and tell you that these reports are the facts. However, God’s truth is greater than the facts. God’s word says: “He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalm 107:20. God’s word says: “By whose stripes ye have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24. Find the promises in the scriptures concerning your situation. Then wrap that around your waist as your belt to uphold you.
“Your feet shod with the gospel of peace”, means you walk in the peace of God. You bring peace to every situation. Just as Jesus spoke to the wind and the waves and said, “Peace be still”, there are storms in life that you will need to speak to and decree: “Peace be still!” (See Mark 4:39)
We of course need our shield of Faith. As we walk in faith on God’s promises concerning the situation, it will extinguish everything the devil tries to throw at us. How do you walk in faith? We know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (see Romans 10:17). Put on the word. If you have to sleep with the word on, do it. Do whatever you need to do to increase your faith. Speak the word only, hear the word only, immerse yourself in the word of God until it gets down in your heart. Then as you speak in faith, believing in your heart that what you say will come to pass, you will have whatever you say. (see Mark 11:22-25).
Another way to increase your spirit to stand strong in faith is to do as it says in Jude 20, “building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost…” It is so important to pray in your heavenly language every day and especially when you are facing seemingly impossible circumstances. Romans 8:26 says: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
As we pray in the spirit we are praying perfect prayers. We are allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through us. It not only edifies and builds up our spirit, but as we intercede, we are doing so with perfect prayers, praying things we might not have even thought to pray. God knows exactly what needs to be said, and by yielding our prayer time to Him, allowing Him to pray through us, we are praying out the very will of God concerning the situation.
The final armor mentioned, is of course the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. We must speak God’s word only if we want God’s results. We cannot talk the circumstances. Whichever outcome you want, is the one you speak. Do not go around telling everyone the circumstance. Instead, speak the word only. As you stand and speak only what God has to say about the situation in faith, then the situation has no choice but to line up with God’s word.
Finally, after having done all, you stand. You stand in faith knowing that God is faithful! You praise and thank God for all that He is doing. You praise and thank Him for the victory. You get happy that you have the victory because God says you do! Then stand and watch God work and move that mountain and do signs, wonders and miracles through you!
Further reading: Mathew 8, Ephesians 1 and 3, Galatians 3, 2 Chronicles 20
