The Armor of God

In the news lately we are hearing of pastor's making mistakes, mega-church pastors raking in the money, lying about books. We are hearing the world over of Christians being persecuted. Why is this happening? and yes the two items are connected. Is it getting worse or is it the fact that we have instant information, that just makes it seem like it is more prolific?




My answer is simple. We are under an attack and it is not an enemy of flesh and blood. We are in a spiritual war.Satan is using the old divide and conquer tactic, We in this world today are far more isolated in our own little worlds than ever before. Social media, texts, emails are the only source of interaction we use. The get together, fellowship meals are a thing of the past. When we do get together we keep the conversation simple so that no one truly knows us or our problems, and we don't have to get bothered by theirs. We have less family more strangers than ever. Some of our deepest conversations are with the TV or a stranger on a plane. Why? Because then we can see only our viewpoint, maybe exaggerate a little so that we are what we want to be rather than what we are.




We are in a society that is so narcissistic, self-centered, and shallow it is ridiculous. We are so worried about what people think of us in this day and age that we would rather not spread the Word of God in fear of offending someone.




Ephesians 6:10-19KJV





10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.


11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.


12 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.


13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.


14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;


15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;


16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.


17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:


18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;


19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,


The Apostle Paul saw the same things in his day, back when Christianity was new. If he had these issues then how much more so do we have them today? Paul knew we were in a spiritual battle. He also knew that we do not strive against man but against satan and his minions. Paul tells us to be armored in the Word of God so that we may fight the accusations, the actions, the thoughts and the lies of the father of lies, Lucifer.


All of things going on today are indicative of this warfare. Satan is attacking the trust people have in their pastors, their teachers in the faith. Satan is running a flanking maneuver since he can not seem to do it in a head on battle. He has these little scandals come out and the media then make them seem far more than they are. We have thousands of churches in the US and very few actually have these problems but to listen to the media you would think it is commonplace. He (satan) uses these to undermine the people into thinking that the majority are bad. When in actuality it is very few that actually are corrupt.


However, this same media is used to quell the news of Christian persecution through out the world. Why? I have no idea why they would sit on the information but it is not widely published. Satan is very effective at what he does, he has spent thousands of years honing his craft - to deceive.


He has closed the eyes of the "learned" people. He has used higher institutions of learning to change the course of this world, to change theology, to warp minds, and fog true vision.


God Himself tells us that He (God) uses the simple to confound the wise.
1 Corinthians 1:26-28King James Version (KJV)


26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:


27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;



28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:






Satan has convinced men that they are smarter than God. That salvation whilst very simple for that very reason can't be true. Higher education while in and of itself is a noble pursuit has been corrupted by man. They no longer teach the bible but their opinions and man's thinking. They twist and corrupt young minds to their own version of the truth instead of to be objective viewers and tellers of the truth.


We Christians have lost the battle in the colleges, the media, and the places of refinement. Why? Because those people as the pharisees in the days of Christ, don't think they need Anyone or anything. They think they have all the answers. They have been blinded to the truth.


Remember the story of the rich young pharisee?


Mark 10:13-25KJV


13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.


14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.


15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.


16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.


17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?


18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.


19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.


20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.


21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.


22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.


23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!


24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!






25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.


Christ came for those that needed Him. He came for those who knew they were not worthy to make it on their own.


The spiritual warfare we are in is complex. We battle against satan, deceit, humanism, and the pride of man. People who believe they are good enough to warrant heaven on their own merits are blinded to their need for the Great Physician. Then these people who have gained these positions are trying to make the rest of the world see things in their perspective. They are trying to run God out of the world so that they are not inferior to anything, They want to believe this because satan has worked his lies and they have swallowed them hook line and sinker. Satan has them believing that they are the ultimate authority. He has them blinded and they then in turn are the blind leading the blind down the path of destruction.


We need to step out of our shells, we need to use their tools (social media) against them, we need to counteract their influence using their strategy.


The Word of God is powerful sharper than a two edged sword. That is what we have to use. We have no greater goal than this - to spread God's Word plainly, openly, and generously.


We must put on the whole armor of God and get into battle. There is a war going on and we can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. We must engage the enemy. Stop the rhetoric, stop the cliches, and start using the Word of God to fight the lies of that old snake satan.