Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.1 Corinthians 16:1

RECOMMENDED READING: I CORINTHIANS 16:13-24  “¹³ Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.¹⁴ Let all your things be done with charity.¹⁵ I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,¹⁶ That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to everyone that helpeth with us, and laboureth.¹⁷ I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.¹⁸ For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.¹⁹ The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.²⁰ All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with a holy kiss.²¹ The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.²² If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.²⁴ My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

COMMENTS:  Spiritual warfare is a topic throughout the Bible.  Experiences of many in its battles are recorded in scripture both in old and new testaments.  Those who wore proper armor and were faithful to God endured hardship and invested much but succeeded.  They who gave up or who turned from God failed at great cost to themselves and those close to them. Daniel and Joseph and Noah and Job and Moses were a few examples of those who were faithful.  King Saul is one example of one who started out well but failed and lost his kingdom, his son, and his own life.  Israel became slave to pagan invaders only when they turned from God to follow pagan idols.  Job’s example shows us who is the author of the wars and battles we encounter while his example also reveals Who was the source of his strength and endurance and faithfulness through great tragedy and trials and abandonment of others.

The spiritual armor Paul speaks of in Ephesians 6:11-18 “¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”

Let’s reflect and evaluate each piece of armor.  We are battling against satan, who is better equipped and prepared and has far more time to plan and far more experience in battle than us.  Our ability to defeat him is worse than comparing David as a boy to the 9 ft 9-inch Goliath.  David defeated Goliath because he had faith in God built on a foundation of God helping and protecting and preparing him previously, as a shepherd, defeating lions seeking his sheep as prey. Previous battled gave David the confidence and skills he needed but the faith he had to take that leap of faith to battle Goliath came from a deep continuous fellowship with God, which I believe consumed his nights on watch with his flock.  Psalms reveals David was a man after God’s own heart in spite of his shortcomings and sinfulness. 

• The helmet of salvation keeps us from letting satan convincing us to doubt our salvation and God’s forgiveness and the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence.
• The breastplate of righteousness keeps satan’s darts of temptation piercing our hearts to allow sin to weaken and turn our eyes away from God’s helping hand and powerful presence.
• The belt of truth holds us together ready for battle unobstructed with clear thinking of God’s truth and council so we won’t be deceived by satan’s lies and lures.
• The shoes of peace enable us to either march into battle or flee to safety.  Flee to Christ’s side or march into battle with Him going ahead behind and along both sides of us.
• The Shield of faith deflects darts and arrows of temptation from distracting us away from Christ’s instruction and protection and from the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence.  We expose ourselves to great danger when we let down our guard and takes our eyes off Christ.
• All the above are defensive weapons but the sword of God’s Word is our offensive weapon.  It is with it that Jesus did battle with and defeated satan after his 40 day fast.  It is the same sword available to you and me to do battle too.  But not without the other defensive weapons in place. God doesn’t want nor expect us to do battle alone.  He always does battle with and for us but often invisible to us physically.  Consider how many saints were burned alive or eaten by lions or stoned to death while singing and worshipping and praising their Lord. 
• Prayer is our first line of communication with our General.  The Holy Spirit is our link to Him and access to His council and strength and wisdom.  Prayer is both a defensive and defensive weapon.  Each piece of armor needs put on with prayer so we know both how to use each weapon and understand God’s instruction when we put it on and use it.

This may have meant more to first Century Christians who endured persecution at the hands of Roman soldiers who had physical armor like described above.  But description is pretty straight forward and everyone can identify.

Today’s Christians in China and North Korea and in many Moslem dominated countries endure terrible persecution including beatings, separation from families, prison, and even death. They are enduring such while expressing joyful praise and worship and rising above the pain and circumstances overcoming them.  They know their suffering is short term and trust their Lord.  Yet our environment may be even more dangerous because we don’t see the urgency to put on our armor and draw close to Christ for help and protection as do they.  But the danger is just as real and we are just as vulnerable without Christ’s presence. The importance of putting on Christ’s armor and drawing close to Him is just as vital for us to be true as it is for them and was for the early church and for those in old testament times.  Satan hasn’t changes and God hasn’t either.  We are the “new kids on the block” that don’t have a clue but are at risk.  Which side will we go to, the winning side of eternal life with Christ or the losing side of death?  Satan appears to be winning right now, but the war is far from being over and Christ will win with ONE WORD when He returns.   It will be that simple and decisive.  Will that word bring a wonderful fulfillment to us and our family and those we’ve touched or will it bring eternal judgment?  That choice lies with us and is what is still at stake.                                                                                                  

 “For us to access [Christ’s] victory, we must stand firm under His headship in our thoughts, in our actions, in our hearts, in our decisions, on our job, in our homes, and throughout our lives.”  Tony Evans, in Victory in Spiritual Warfare

 

 

 

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