Condition Your Armor of God
Jesus said…
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10 ESV
Do you ever feel like you have hit a wall in some aspect of your life? Your marriage? Work? Relationships with your kids? Your own motivation to do the right thing? That’s the evil one, our enemy, Satan, getting in the way, causing that wall to appear. Many times it starts out so subtle you don’t realize it’s there at first. If you do not pray regularly, you may never see that wall for what it is, and that is when things begin to fall apart. Stay in prayer so you can see the walls Satan puts up before you, so God can go before you and clear a way for His will for you.
The thief, the enemy, comes only to steal. He will swoop in and steal your motivation, your attention, your loving heart, and kindness towards others, and will attempt to kill you through hatred, idolatry, being unfaithful in a relationship, or being mean towards people. This is what the enemy wants. To destroy you and your house, one brick at a time until you are a pile of rubble.
How do you combat this?
Prayer, and reading the Word of God - the Bible.
“…I came that they have life and have it abundantly.” What a difference! Don’t you want to have life, be healthy, and happy, keep your marriage and relationships strong, and keep your house together and on a firm foundation?
Pray without ceasing. Never stop. Don’t give the enemy room to come close. Pray, and read the Word. Put on your armor of God!
“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 ESV
“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.”
Matthew 7:7-12 MSG
Dear Father in Heaven, Our Protector, and Teacher, You are our general in this spiritual army. You strengthen us and guide us. Give us the continued strength and wisdom to spend time in prayer with you, to keep our armor strong and conditioned, and ready for battle against the enemy, and to fend off the thief. We love you and thank you, Lord, for all you do to protect and guide us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.