I Walk with The King

To Heavenly Land; the Kingdom of Right–the Pathway of Light…

Tag Archives: spiritual warfare


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The Devil Had Us Right Where He Wanted Us

The devil got his foot in the door immediately.  Eve disobeyed, Adam followed suit.  Death is ushered in.  Murder quickly ensued (Cain slew Abel).  By Noah’s time God repented that he had even created man, so He destroyed the earth and man.  But it wasn’t long after that men set out to reach the heavens with a tower so God had to confound their language.  God reached out to His people again and acted to deliver them from slavery in Egypt.  He performed miracles to save them.  He sent manna to feed them.  But they complained vociferously.  Even while He showed Himself to Moses on the mountain and gave a law for His people, they were at the foot of the mountain crafting false gods.  A law was given that they couldn’t keep completely.

The devil was relishing all of this, having his way with man.

Judges were introduced to benefit His people, but they were not good enough for them.  They wanted a king.  So they got what they (and the devil) wanted.  God’s people forgot Him over and over, time and again.  God tried reaching them.  God punished them.  All to no avail.  Yet He wouldn’t give up on them.  He had one prophet after another speak of a Messiah that would come.  They waited.  And waited.

And then Messiah came.  Regardless, King Herod and all Jerusalem was troubled when they learned of His birth, so Herod tried killing him at the very outset.  The devil himself got in Jesus’ face and tempted Him.  The religious leaders of the day, Jews, tried to entrap Him and make Him look bad.  They envied Him and sought to destroy Him.  Rome feared Him and would just as soon He went away.  Judas betrayed Him; Peter denied Him.  He was mocked and lied about.  Jesus was sentenced to death for nothing He had done wrong, and a convicted and noted robber was let go free to ensure that He was crucified.  He was hung on a cross surrounded by common thieves.

The devil had everything going according to plan, right?  Sin ruled.  Surely God would send a flood to wipe man away again.

Oh, God sent a flood alright — He flooded us with Grace, through Jesus and His resurrection!  …But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21 NIV


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Suit Up, Roll Out

Several months ago my brother in Christ, Frankie Masters, presented a great sermon about the Armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-17. Many of us have heard explanations of all these pieces, and some principles for how they might work in our lives. We also learn about how we should have this armor in our life, and the benefits of using it. However, all my weaponry is totally worthless if I fail to don it before battle. How foolish of me to charge into the ranks of hostile soldiers, naked and empty-handed! What Frankie said that is often missing from such lessons is the practical application of Paul’s teaching here. He advised me to make actual use of the Armor of God every day by mentally and spiritually gearing up before I leave my home. Your routine may vary, but mine goes something like this, and it’s in the form of a prayer:

Father God, as I begin my day, please help me to put on the whole Armor of God that You provide Your children. Please help me put on the Breastplate of Righteousness to protect my heart where the Enemy wants to strike me. Please help me put on the Helmet of Salvation, to protect my mind from false thoughts and the Devil’s deceits. Help it to guard my eyes from things they shouldn’t see and help it protect those I meet from the words of my own mouth (Note: my set of armor needs the optional full-face mask! Ask for that feature if you need it, too). Lord please help me to place upon my feet the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace, so that I can bear the saving message of Jesus Christ to all who need it. Father, please bind up this armor with the Belt of Truth, so that I can base all my actions on what is real. Please give my left hand the Shield of Faith, to stop any lie the Enemy hurls at me and place in my right hand the Sword of the Holy Spirit, Your Word, that being so armed I may go out and do battle for the purposes of Your eternal Kingdom. Please help me endure difficulty as a good soldier of Christ, and my I bring glory to your mighty name. I ask this in the name of Jesus your Son and my Captain. Amen.

Let me tell you something–this works. You are really gearing up in the spiritual realm. Just imagine how you must appear to Satan and his hosts! Visualize it. This is also a focus tool to remind you that, prepared or not, you are walking onto the field of battle. Your enemy never forgets it, takes a day off or gives an inch. When I enter battle naked and weaponless, I lose. When I purposefully join battle thus protected and armed, I win. As Frankie urged me, I also urge you… Suit up before you roll out.