More Reasons For God's Armour

Here again are the reasons given by Paul, for all believers to be fully dressed in the armour of the Lord. 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. Ephesians 6: 12.

Having been made more deeply conscious and personally aware of two of the four identified reasons in the text, we examined them with careful study. Additionally, we were able to identify and view Scriptural examples of their truth which were not far from us, in matter, in method and in manner. They were: -  

We wrestle against principalities.

We wrestle against powers.

Let’s carry on as we explain and identify examples as found in Scripture.

Pharisaism - We wrestle against the rulers of the darkness of this world.

I must confess that this reason did not really hold my attention at first, as something near to me. Yes, there will be rulers of the evils of this world, but in my mind, I was thinking of what was out there, certainly not near to me. But how foolish can one get. If I’m being warned against it, to wear God’s armour for protection, surely it must be a living threat to me.  Trust me, it’s a threat to you also. No one is going to warn you against snow storms, if you live in the Caribbean. Yes, it’s as simple as that.

May the Lord’s armour protect us, even now, from the deceiving fiery darts of the evil one. Amen!

Who are the rulers of the darkness of this world? Holy Spirit had me totally aghast when He showed me that they are all the pharisaical minds who stand as rulers in God’s Name. Pharisaical minds are those who continue to refuse to have God’s Way – Jesus Christ – and insist on living the law and traditions. They preach and teach that works and observations are the Way to God and vehemently reject the teachings of Jesus. Never be deceived on this. Many a religious, God-believing leader still carries the mind and heart of the Pharisee. They are God-believing, but Jesus-denying leaders. Listen to what Jesus said to them on one occasion, when they were claiming God as their Father.  

Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8: 42 – 44.

Have you heard what Jesus has said? Indeed, the darkness of this world is pure lies; abject, unadulterated untruth. We live in the midst of it, as Jesus lived in its midst, but was able to stand strong against all such minds of darkness, whose ongoing mission was to take Him down. Jesus only stood strong, unshaken and unmoved because He constantly wore the armour of God.  Follow Jesus our Principal Power.

Perversion - We wrestle against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Spiritual wickedness is even more damaging and destroying than carnal or physical wickedness. We know that wickedness is evil. However, when it comes to spiritual wickedness, there is when perversion, devilish behaviours, step in.

Have you ever thought seriously about these words of Jesus to these religious rulers and leaders? Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are. Matthew 23: 15. Is this not spiritual wickedness to the highest degree, in the highest places? Here are those coming in the Name of God, claiming to make proselytes for Him, but turning them into people of darkness, worse than they were previously. All they are doing is altering and distorting truth with their hypocritical lives.

Paul is in Paphos and there he faces a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet who is trying to attack his ministry, as he makes converts for Jesus.  Paul faces this man’s spiritual wickedness and with the authority, power and presence of the Holy Spirit, speaks to this false prophet called Bar-Jesus. You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Acts 13: 10. And with that, Saul also called Paul, brings an immediate curse on this enemy, making him blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.

If you are truly clad in God’s full armour, no false prophet will be able to get away with any spiritual wickedness, from any high place, against your work for Christ. The Sword of the Spirit is in your hand. Wield it!

From tomorrow, we shall be looking at God’s full armour.