Ephesians 6:10-17
In Ecclesiastes, there is something known as the evil days and if you don’t know what that day is you cannot prepare for it. To be strong is a decision you have to make. The only way to be strong in the Lord is to put on the armour of God. The implication of putting on the armour of God is that you receive capacity to withstand the deceit of the devil. You must understand the nature of this armour so that you can be equipped to stand.
There is a need to understand your enemies before you engage in warfare. The armour is not a default clothing, you have to take it to yourself. You cannot also take a part of the armour that you like, you should take on the whole armour.
Truth is the introduction into the kingdom. It is an individual responsibility. Truth is a belt, it is elastic which means it will grow to the degree of your progression. You cannot wear the level of truth that you have not mastered.
Service and humility are ways to grow in authority. Your understanding of righteousness is important in warfare. The breastplate covers the heart. We must have a thorough understanding of righteousness if victory will be experienced. The gospel is to be worn like a pair of shoes. You must be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks about your faith.
Before God uses you, he will train you. One of the things to learn about Christ is persuasion. Verse 16- Satan is not testing whether these darts will work, he has the intention of bringing you down. The only way to gain mastery in faith is by using it. You must trust God for the salvation of your mind. At no point in the battle should you remove the helmet. The moment you take the helmet off you start rationalising. The helmet filters everything that comes in. Whatever is not in the blood is not approved by the helmet.
Verse 18 – Prayer is the very weapon that can knockout your enemy even at long range. Although not listed as one of the component of the armour mentioned by Paul in the text, the spear is also a part of the armour and that is prayer. To watch is to be spiritually observant.
Let us consider the ‘Daniel Strategy’ that made him successful:
(1) Daniel was a man that consecrated his belly.
(2) Daniel consecrated his company.
(3) Daniel had a prayer strategy.
(4) You must learn prophetic prayer (praying as led by the Holy Spirit).
Also, let us consider the ‘Jesus Strategy’
(1) Jesus was a man of diverse kinds of prayers.
(2) Learn to withdraw.
(3) Jesus had sanctified ears.
In the spiritual you don’t just need prayer you need wisdom, you need to know when to engage and when not. You cannot steal a spiritual level, you have to grow into it. No lazy man can work with God.