Wearing the Whole Armor of God in Marriage(Being Fully Dressed and Armed for War)Marriages are under attack inundated by a spiritual battle perpetrated by the evil one himself, Satan, the father of lies and deception. In His Infinite Wisdom, God instructed us through the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians where he said, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that ye may 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. Folks, there is a war going on- not the war in Afghanistan, not the war in Iraq, but the war against marriages. Since the garden, war has been declared against the institution and ministry of marriage. The enemy works hard daily in an effort to bring marriages to turmoil and strife, in hopes that we will be able to cause these sacred unions to an end. Many of the scriptures were provided to give us spiritual direction and insight from our Creator who foreknew the obstacles we would face with an enemy at large. Sure, we know who wins in the end, but while Satan is on the loose, he is wreaking havoc when ever and where ever He can find an open door, thus the warning: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, I Peter 5:8. Yes, there is a war going on, however, this war does not involve traditional weapons and tactics such as guided missiles, tanks, fighter jets, and the like. This is a spiritual warfare that is fought by unconventional means, more of a means to defend ourselves because the actual battle is the Lord's. We are further instructed: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." When we put on the whole armor of God, we become clothed in two types of armor, one type that is defensive armor for our protection, the other type is to conquer or gain victory over. The whole armor makes us invulnerable and Victorians. When we are fully clothed in the armor of God, we are ready for battle. We are told "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth." So what is the truth? God was the Truth from the beginning because the Truth is the Word of God. We come under the Word of God when we have our loins girded about with truth. Under the obedience of the truth of God's Word, we will walk in light and not in darkness and it is a know fact that where light is present darkness has to flees. In addition we are told, "and hovering on the breastplate of righteousness," this armor protects the heart which represents the spirit of man, and also protects other vital organs, As a believer faithfully lives in obedience to and in and in communion with Jesus Christ, His righteousness produces in us the practical daily righteousness that becomes our spiritual breastplate, "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; "Our feet should be shod, or bound up, with the prepared foundation, which is Jesus Christ, who keeps the believer standing firm in the midst of spiritual warfare. The gospel of peace pertains to the Good News that through Christ, believers are at peace with God and we know that He is on our side. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, were with ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." The shield of faith is a shield and a weapon. If and when you are at war, something is coming at you. We are not trying to take the enemy down; he's already down, he's already been defeated . In this war, all we have to do is endure to the end. We are to have faith in what we've heard (the Word of God). Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, faith will protect us on this walk with God. "And take the helmet of salvation." The helmet of salvation shields our head from the fiery darts that come against us by way of the enemy. We will not be able to have good thoughts without the helmet of salvation in place. Taking on the helmet of salvation is taking on Christ Himself, "and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." As the sword was the soldiers only weapon, so is God's Word the only weapon needed which is more powerful then any of Satan's weapons. This is the only weapon used both defensively and offensively- Defensively to fend off the attacks of the enemy's strategies. The Sword of the Spirit is quick, living, and powerful. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Praying always is the frequency or how often to pray; all prayer and supplication focuses on the variety or pattern of prayer; in the Spirit focuses on the submission as we line up with the will of God; watching thereunto is the manner in which we pray; with all perseverance is the persistence of our prayer; for all saints is who we are to pray for. Prayer is the key part to this Divine armor. Prayer is the primary means by which we engage in the battle, the purpose for which we are armed. This armor of God is for battle. During the battle itself, praying God's Word becomes our chief offensive weapon deployed against Satan during our struggles. If there is one thing you should always remember when the devil plots ways to interject his devious ways into your marriage is the enormous differences in the attributes of God versus those of Satan. God said, "Behold I will do a new thing," but Satan is limited to his same old tricks through lies and deceptions and a purpose to steal, kill, and to destroy. God through Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10Keep your marriage secure and strong-Put on the whole armor of God and be fully dressed and armed for war. As the slogan for the American Express goes…Don't leave home without it!by Erroll & Glyniel GarnerAll scriptures referenced are from the KJV
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