No Armour for the Back!
23 Feb 2010 | Karl Martin | Posted in FlyNo Comments
As we have been studying together in our ‘Fly’ series we have discovered not only that Father God created us to fly in an intimate relationship with Him, not only that we are to operate out of a ‘oneness’ relationship with the Godhead, but that we have an enemy – because he has an enemy.
His name Satan, the deceiver, the opposer of God and the things of God, the ruler of the kingdom of the air and the enemy of the Kingdom of God. Part of his job is to prevent you flying, to keep you bound.
He does this by attempting to rob you of your identity – ‘You are a Son of God’, and convince you to operate out of an orphan spirit. He does it by encouraging you to step out of line with his grace and step into an arena of justice and rights. When you do so, you give him a foothold (Ephesians 4: 24-26). Eventually he wants to establish a ‘stronghold’ (2 Corinthians 10: 4-5) from which he can wreak havoc in your life and in those around you.
We give him a foothold when we operate in any way that it inconsistent with the grace, love and forgiveness of God. When we open doors, or doors are opened into our lives, permission is given for Satan to mess with us.
Knowing this helps us recognise and oppose Satan’s plans to bind us. It helps us begin to put in place strategies to continue to stand, advance and live out the kingdom in hostile territory – to fly even.
Ephesians 6: 12-13 says:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand.
Paul goes on, recognising this spiritual war we find ourselves in , to suggest that we put on and keep on armour that helps us stand and advance:
- Belt of truth
- Breastplate of righteousness
- Boots of peace
- Shield of Faith
- Helmet of Salvation
- Sword of the Spirit
So what Paul is saying is that Satan flees when we stand dressed and equipped, when we realise our authority and strength in Christ. When we believe and live out of truth, when we protect our heart (which gets so easily damaged), when we express the courage of faith of our forefathers (check out Hebrews 11), when we advance with the life-giving news of Jesus, when we protect our minds from the invidious thoughts that Satan would use to gain a foothold (you are insignificant, a failure, can never experience the love of God etc) walking instead in the opposite spirit as we live out the truth of the word of God as our ‘authority’ and living guide. We find not only that Satan flees, but that we fly.
Let me leave you with one thought! There is no armour for the back! Which makes me think that two things are true.
- We are supposed to advance or stand – but never run (we need not be afraid – the victory belongs to the Lord and therefore to us)
- We are supposed to watch each other’s backs.
My friends this is not a time for disharmony, disunity, division or to abandon one-another. In so doing we easily allow the enemy to pick us off. Rather it is a time for family, for community, for developing small groups of discipleship and care within our Missional Expressions that enable us to minister as a body, to encourage one another in this journey and to strike out and take ground.
A few questions for you to think about:
- What have been the things which have preventing you flying?
- Where have doors been opened by you or others which caused Satan to have a hold in your life? Pray for one another as you close doors and live knowing Satan has no authority in these areas.
- What opposition do you anticipate meeting as you venture out as an ME?
- Encourage one another with experiences of standing firm in the face of opposition, how has God protected you?
Let us fly!
Karl