Armor of God: How to Stand in Evil Times
Key Concepts: Armor of God, Faith, Truth (Word of God), Righteousness, Gospel of Peace, Salvation, Sword of the Spirit, Fear of Man, Speaking Truth Boldly, Overcoming Lies, Spiritual Warfare.
Introduction: The Battle and the Armor
The message focuses on Ephesians 6:10-17, emphasizing the importance of putting on the whole armor of God to stand against the "wiles of the devil" in these "evil times." The speaker stresses that the battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. He emphasizes that we must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might because the battle is greater than what we can accomplish on our own.
- Ephesians 6:10-12: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
The Armor of God: Piece by Piece
The speaker breaks down each piece of the armor, providing insights and practical applications:
- Loins Girt About with Truth: Truth is equated with the Word of God (John 17:17).
- Breastplate of Righteousness: This is not self-righteousness, but the righteousness of Jesus Christ given as a gift through faith. It's being the righteousness of God in Christ in your spirit man.
- Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace: This is not just peace among men, but peace from God, signifying that God's wrath is satisfied.
- Shield of Faith: Faith is a defensive weapon that quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked. The speaker emphasizes the importance of valuing faith and not dismissing it.
- 1 John 5:4: "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."
- Example: The speaker shares a personal story of financial hardship early in his ministry, where he and his pregnant wife were without food. He recounts how Kenneth Copeland's preaching on 1 John 5:4 challenged him to activate his faith and overcome the situation.
- Helmet of Salvation: Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, covers the mind.
- Sword of the Spirit: This is the Word of God, the only offensive weapon.
- Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
The Power of Faith
The speaker emphasizes that faith is the victory that overcomes the world. He argues that if someone is being overcome in any area, a lack of faith is likely involved.
- James 1:6-7: When you pray, believe that you receive, without wavering. A double-minded man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
- Living by Faith vs. Visiting There: The speaker encourages listeners to make faith a way of life, not just a temporary practice.
- Faith and Unbelief: Unbelief comes from considering things that contradict the Word of God.
Abraham: An Example of Unwavering Faith
The speaker uses Abraham as an example of someone who "considered not" (Romans 4:19) the natural impossibilities but focused on God's promise.
- Romans 4:18-20: "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations according to that which was spoken, 'So shall your descendants be.' And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God."
- Connie Wiof Case Study: A woman diagnosed with cancer chose to study healing instead of cancer, ultimately receiving healing.
The Sword of the Spirit: An Offensive Weapon
The speaker stresses that Christians should not just be on the defensive but should actively use the Word of God as an offensive weapon.
- Revelation and the Sword from Jesus' Mouth: The speaker interprets the sword coming from Jesus' mouth in Revelation as symbolic of the power of His spoken word.
- Jesus' Temptation: Jesus countered every temptation with "It is written," demonstrating the power of scripture.
- Speaking Truth Boldly: The speaker encourages listeners to speak the truth without apology, even if it offends.
Duty is Ours, Results are God's
The speaker quotes John Quincy Adams, emphasizing the importance of doing what is right, regardless of the consequences.
- Example: A male nurse who was told by God not to take the vaccine, even if it meant losing his job.
- Personal Example: The speaker recounts a time when authorities threatened to shut down his ministry during COVID, but he refused to compromise what he believed God had called him to do.
Speaking Truth in Love
The speaker emphasizes the importance of speaking the truth in love, even when it's difficult.
- Example: A woman seeking advice on how to deal with her homosexual grandchild. The speaker advised her to confirm her love but also speak the truth about the lifestyle being a sin.
- Personal Story: The speaker shares a story of a famous person who told their homosexual grandchild that they loved them unconditionally but that their lifestyle was sinful. The child initially rejected them but later came back to the Lord.
- What Right Do You Have to Reject This Truth for Him? The speaker shares a story of a time when the Lord gave him a word of knowledge for a man, and he was afraid to share it because he thought the man would reject him. The Lord told him that he didn't have the right to reject the truth for the man.
Conclusion: Stand Strong and Make a Difference
The speaker concludes by encouraging listeners to take up the armor of God, use the sword of the spirit, and stand strong in the evil day. He emphasizes that God has provided everything needed to thrive, not just survive. He encourages listeners to be a light in the dark world and make a difference by speaking the truth in love.
- Chicken Spirit: The speaker calls out a "chicken spirit" of fear that prevents people from standing up for their beliefs. He leads a prayer to cast out this spirit of fear.
- Final Encouragement: The speaker encourages listeners to leave the conference fired up and make a difference in the world.
Synthesis/Conclusion
The core message is a call to action for Christians to actively engage in spiritual warfare by understanding and utilizing the armor of God. The speaker emphasizes the power of faith, the importance of speaking truth boldly (yet in love), and the need to overcome the fear of man. By focusing on God's word and trusting in His provision, believers can stand strong in the face of adversity and make a positive impact on the world around them. The message is filled with personal anecdotes and biblical examples to illustrate these principles and inspire listeners to live a life of unwavering faith and courageous truth-telling.
AI summaries can miss context or contain errors. Check important details against the original video.