“You have clothed me with strength for the battle, you subdue my adversaries beneath me.” Psalm 18: 39 CSB
We’ve spent the last few days talking about strongholds, type of strongholds, overcoming strongholds. Tomorrow we’re going to start looking at pride and how it affects our lives. But for today, as we finish our chat about strongholds, let’s remember, we’re already dressed for the battle. God has given us everything we need to overcome our strongholds.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he instructs them to put on the full armor of God. It starts with the buckle of truth around our waist (Ephesians 6:14 NIV). As women, we all know the belt pulls the outfit together. It’s no different with the Armor of God. The belt of truth is what every other piece of armor attaches too. It is the truth that will set you free from any stronghold. It is the truth that will hold you firm in the midst of battle. Without truth, the rest is useless. The truth is found in Jesus. Jesus came to tell the truth, and to help us find it, everyone on the side of truth listens to Him (John 18:37 NIV). Through the truth of Jesus you can put on the breastplate of righteousness to guard your heart from attack (Eph. 6:14). On your feet, we are to wear the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15 NIV). Wherever we go, we are to take peace with you us. Lead with grace in all we do.
God has given us a shield of faith to extinguish the darts the devil sends our way (Eph. 6:16 NIV). All of the lies that the world tries to make us believe can be extinguished with the shield of faith. Belief that God does have a plan for your life, that He has a purpose for your life, that you’re valuable and needed. When we truly begin to grasp how “fearfully and wonderfully made” we are our faith takes root and begins to flourish (Psalm 139:14 NIV). The fiery darts of the devil become ineffective. And we top it all off with the helmet of Salvation, pair it with the sword of the Spirit (the word of God), and we are dressed for battle (Eph. 6:17 NIV). God has already dressed us for the battle. All we need to overcome our strongholds, we already possess. And it all starts with truth.
The last thing Paul instructs us to do when putting on the Armor of God is pray. Let’s do that now:
Lord, thank you for already clothing us for battle. Thank you for subduing our adversaries and helping us achieve victory. As we put on Your armor today, help us be rooted in truth. Help us carry our shields of faith strongly into battle, bringing peace where there was none. Let us wear our armor well, in love always (Psalm 18:39, Eph. 6:14-17 NIV). In Jesus name we pray. Amen
