I always prayed and asked God to help me put on his armour since his word says so.
"but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
The night is far spent; the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.(Romans 13:12)
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| https://drwryzek.wordpress.com/tag/armor-of-light/ |
I always thought that putting on this armour was to protect me from outside darts of the enemy but today I realised that I put this armour on to protect me from me too! From my flesh/soul since these two things are sinful.
Flesh = Blood, bones and blood (which is dying everyday as I get older).
Soul = Will, mind and emotions (always focused on "ME" or "SELF").
That is probably why Jesus said pray without ceasing!
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18)
Today I had alot of mind challengers, thoughts that related to people hurting me. In paticular I've had a few hurts lately all from different people and as these memories would flood in, I discovered that when I prayed out loud and said I forgave them, and welcomed the Holy Spirit to rule my spirit and my spirit to rule my soul and flesh, each thought or hurt would disappear.
But after a while as I started cleaning, another memory of being hurt popped up and I wondered why? So I prayed and the memory went away.
After overcoming my flesh/soul, I felt another arrow but this time it was outside during our car ride, a horrible thought crossed my mind and I wondered where on earth did this come from. So I verbally rebuked it in Jesus name, then I played some gospel music and started singing to the gospel music and felt the atmosphere around me clear and it felt more "happier" and "lighter".
After a few hours, another test came by my way and this one related to finances. Before we left home I cooked dinner but hubby suggested to go out to a restaurant to "eat" dinner.
I was amazed when I heard the quiet yet clear voice say, this is another testing. So I kindly reminded my husband we had dinner waiting at home!
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].(1 Corinthians 10:13)
After these things I reflected on my bed about what happened and realized that the armour needs to be used two ways. INTRINSICALLY (INTERNALLY) and EXTRINSICALLY (EXTERNALLY)!!
When I think deeply about this and as we gaze at this awesome picture of the armour...I can see that in-order to way off "temptation" I need to use my "FLESH" to move the armour! Meaning I use my internal being or my soul, being aware of what action I need to take.
I need to use my will which was gifted to us all, no one can force me and as I learnt: " A gift demanded is no gift at all"- Veggie Tales.
If I don't use my will to put on the armour of light/God (1 John 1: 5....God is light...) I'm left open and might as well be dead.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
This verse above indicates me making a choice and using my limbs to open the door to "let him in". ( AN INTERNAL ACT).
And once I have God/Jesus/HolySpirit in me (armour of GOD) I then go through training, testing and then teaching as I mature!!!
16 [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5: 16 -17)
I'm trained to use the armour by praying: "as an act of my will I give the HOLY SPIRIT RULE over my SPIRIT and SPIRIT RULE over my SOUL/FLESH!"
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| Romans training for battle |
As I'm tested I learn how to defend and once I defend and overcome I tell or teach this to all who belong to God.
Matthew 10: 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
LESSON LEARNT:
I'm able to overcome, the Holy Spirit wakes my spirit and I've discovered that I'm more aware of the trials and temptations and have learnt to rejoice in every circumstance.
Prayer keeps me connected to the spirit and to the ultimate source of light. I learn that controlling what comes out of my mouth (Intrinsic/internal),
what I allow into my eyes and mind (External/Extrinsic things) [Helmet of Salvation],
and what I discern through my nose (Intrinsic and Extrinsic) either good or evil [Helmet of Salvation],
and what I allow what I hear with my ears [Helmet of Salvation] determines how I'm going to "overcome"
I also learn that not only is one part of the armour is important but all! Breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, belt of truth, sword of the spirit and shoes of the gospel of peace.
If I take out one of these by ''relaxing", I'll be attacked by the enemy through these openings. SO ALWAYS PUT ON THE "WHOLE" ARMOUR, not just some parts.