Introduction
I was opportune to complete the Armor of God bible study through my local church. In this post, I will share some of the things that stood out to me. This will come in form of words of wisdom, references to scripture, and questions. This book note should by no means replace getting the actual study. We recommend you get the book to learn more about the whole armor of God.
This post should be seen as an additional resource designed to stand on its own without the book. With the book in perspective, it will serve as an encouragement to help you get started with the study for first-timers and a great refresher for those who have read the book.
Words of Wisdom from The Armor of God
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
Lao Tzu
- People are not your problem. The author made reference to the fact that each person is in an invisible battle with an invisible enemy. It is a waste of time, effort, and resources trying to fight spiritual battles using physical means.
- You have to be able to see and recognize what your spiritual resources are in order for you to be able to utilize them.
- Your spiritual victory is directly connected to your ability to “unmask” the enemy: Just like how the names of God reveal God’s character, the names of the enemy reveal his character, his intentions, and his activities.
- In other to access the spiritual protection God is offering to you, you must “key in” to the fullness of God’s strength.
- A strong core keeps you balanced and stable; the truth of scripture should be your core support in the midst of spiritual warfare.
- “Discernment is not (just) knowing the difference between right and wrong; It is (also) knowing the difference between right and almost right.” – Charles Spurgeon.
- You invite the enemy into your life with an unrighteous lifestyle.
- You cannot create righteousness outside of its source. Only the Holy Spirit can mold you into the image of Christ Jesus, who is God’s righteousness.
- The cross took your filthy rages and thorn crown of unrighteousness and clothed you with a royal robe and turban of God’s righteousness.
- The enemy does not want you to have peace; Thus, you cannot survive the storms of life without the peace of God, which is freely given to all through Christ Jesus.
- “Delayed answers are not only trials of faith, but they give us an opportunity of honoring God by our steadfast confidence in Him under apparent repulses.” – Charles Spurgeon.
- “Any faith that must be supported by the evidence of the senses is not real faith.” – A. W. Tozer.
- I liked this sentence from the book, “fear is a ploy by the enemy to keep you from walking in (the) truth (of God’s word).”
- The enemy is not all-knowing and neither is he all-powerful, but he is tactical about suggesting and leading you to do things contrary to the will of God. Your power is that he cannot make you do anything because of your free will.
References to Scripture
“Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Psalms 119:11
- When you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3,19-20; 2:4-6; 3:10).
- You need to be aware that your spiritual battles are unavoidable, but glory to God, you have spiritual weapons at your disposal (Isaiah 59:17-19; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
- When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, there are certain heavenly riches given to you (Ephesians 1:3, 7-8, 13, 18-19).
- Jesus Christ has given certain gifts to the church (Ephesians 4:11-16).
- Prayer activates your spiritual armor (Ephesians 6: 18-20).
- Stop trying to create your own pathway through life when God has already prepared a path for you to follow (Proverbs 16:9; 19:21).
- Truth has nothing to do with what you or your culture says because there is only one truth and that truth is always what God says at all times (Psalm 119:160; John 14:6; Ephesians 4:21).
- Head knowledge about God does not automatically translate into honoring Him with your lifestyle (Romans 1:18-23).
- We become spiritually wise when we fear God and follow the truth He has revealed to us about Himself in His word through the power of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 30:21; John 8:12).
- The enemy’s goal is to ensure that you don’t adopt the righteous lifestyle that reflects the truth about God (1 Peter 5:8; Romans 7:24-25; 8:1-2).
- I liked this sentence directly from the study, “your conscience is the microphone the Holy Spirit uses to allow you to hear the voice of God in your life” (Galatians 5:16).
- When you made a decision to belong to Christ, you received the gift of righteousness in your spirit man. You need to work out your salvation and start living in it by bearing godly fruits (Romans 5:17; Phillipians 2:12; Matthew 7:15-20).
- The gospel is the good news of peace (Ephesians 2:17).
- Faith does not exist outside of trust in God and trusting God is not a thing unless it is backed with actions representative of a reliance on the sovereignty of God (Ephesians 3:14-21).
- You need the body of Christ, the church, as much as they need you (Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 12).
- The question about Faith is not whether you have it or not, but where you plant it. Here is the real question: “is your faith rooted in our Lord Jesus Christ?” (Ephesians 2:8; Luke 17:5-6).
- Active Faith says, “I know God is telling the truth always because He is truth and I choose to believe Him” (John 10:27).
- Your salvation is your identity in Christ; own it like the true child of God that you are! (1 Peter 5:8).
- The sword of the spirit is the word of God translated as the Graphe_the book, the Logos_the message of the Graphe, and the Rhema_the spoken word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 4:4).
- The Whole Armor of God as stated in scripture is the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit (the word of God), and prayer (Ephesians 6:13-18).
Questions
To ask the right questions is already half the solution of a problem.
Carl G. Jung
- It was mentioned in the study that there is an ongoing spiritual battle and it is easy to target the people who make life difficult for you as your enemies, but they really are not the enemy. The real enemy may be invisible, but he is strategic about the battles he brings your way. What were some physical means you once tried to use to fight against the enemy in your life? Do you recognize who the real enemy is? What are the more practical spiritual means you have now employed to fight these spiritual warfares?
- As the brain is the center of processing in the body so also the mind is the center of control to the soul and whoever has the mumu button (control panel) of your mind, will be in control. Who do you think is fighting against you daily to get access to the control panel of your mind? Why would the enemy want to control your life? What practical steps have you taken to ensure that God, not you or the enemy, remains in the pilot seat of your life and destiny? What are some potential pitfalls you think every believer needs to avoid in this battlefield of the mind?
Conclusion
“All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world.”
Matthew 28:18-20 ASV
The Armor of God study goes into detail about what makes up the armor of God. If you are looking for a bible study on the armor of God, containing a little bit of historical context and relatable key points, then this study is for you. Let me know in the comments whether you have completed this bible study and I will be looking forward to reading your responses to this post in the comments section.
Closing Prayers
- Salvation Prayer (say this prayer of confession if you desire to dedicate your life to God and trust Him to be Lord over your life): Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner in need of a savior. I am sorry for living my life in accordance with the will of my flesh and my sinful nature. Today, I renounce my covenant and longing for a glorified sinful lifestyle. All my heart desires are the things of God. My Lord and my God, I want to do your will. Forgive me for every time I have tried to initiate or impose my will as your will for my life. Come into my life afresh and make me whole again. I believe you, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, died on the cross, bore my sins, and rose again that I might become the righteousness of God. I accept this invitation to become a child of God. Precious Holy Spirit, come into my life and guide me in all truth. Teach me the ways of the Father as I study scripture. My good God and Heavenly Father, show me where you are already at work in my life and give me a willing and obedient heart to join you in fulfilling your will at your timing, walking in your way at your command, and abiding in a continual fellowship with you. So help me God. Amen
- Study Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing your will about it being your desire that your people learn more about your whole armor. Open the spiritual eyes of every person reading this prayer right now to see the spiritual blessings, gifts, and resources you have freely given to them as soldiers in Christ. Build up this reader’s faith in you and help this reader trust you to do only what you can do. This I pray and ask of you, my Lord and my God, in Jesus’s mighty name. Amen
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.”
2 Corinthians 13:14
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Till next time, Shalom!
