The armor of God

We are fighting lust on two separate battlefronts (Multiple Battlefields).  The battle with our heart and in our mind is the internal battle.  The other battlefield is the spiritual battle that is waged against us.  This discussion naturally brings us to Ephesians 6:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. - Ephesians 6:10-17

One of the most intense seasons of spiritual battle takes place when we decide to obey God.  When we are walking in sin, or pursuing our own way Satan is happy to let us do so with narry a stuggle.  But once we begin taking steps to turn from our sin you can be sure that he will mount a full offensive to try and discourage us. 

Let's look at Ephesians 6. 

First notice that our strength must come from the Lord. As I have stressed before we cannot rely on our own strength to overcome lust (Willpower is insufficient).  If you are saved you already have everything you need to both mortify the flesh and resist the devil. (God's promises).  

Secondly, this is a spiritual battle. We need supernatural strength to overcome supernatural enemies. No amount of therapy, hypnosis, or medication will ever effect the spiritual realm.(You can't fight spiritual battles with earthly weapons) 

Third, God has already provided us with everything we need for the battle.  In order to properly fight a spiritual battle we must have spiritual armor.  Notice this armor enables us to resist, stand firm, and extinguish the attacks of the evil one.

In the next couple of posts we will be looking at ways Satan tries to attack us and make us fall and how the armor of God prevents that from happening.