Our Resolute Hope Podcast

Guest Joshua Gordon discusses his long struggle with anxiety and how Father inspired to him to develop his book.

Often overlooked as a piece of armor, continual watchful prayer is a formidable weapon during times of spiritual warfare.  It is mighty to tear down spiritual strongholds and it sharpens our discernment into both the wiles of our enemy and the needs of those around us.

To stand against our enemy, we need the helmet of salvation and the word of God.  The first gives us understanding into who we are in Christ, which protects how we think, feel, and choose.  The other enables us to parry his cunning lies with the sword of the Spirit, Jesus Christ.

The most adaptable piece of our armor is the shield of faith.  Our faith doesn’t just deflect the enemy’s flaming darts; it  extinguishes them.  Positioning this shield correctly, that is, trusting God in every circumstance, we can minimize the suffering we receive at the hands of our enemy.

As soldiers, we must always be prepared to do battle with the enemy.  Our readiness depends on understanding the gospel of peace.  This gospel is more than just forgiveness of

our sins:  it’s a comprehensive change in how we feel, think, and choose, a totally new way to live in Him.

The breastplate of righteousness is a core aspect of our identity.  In Christ, we’ve been made righteous, as approved and accepted as Jesus.  This truth protects against a key attack by our enemy:  the temptation to question who we are as believers.

Our armament from God begins with the belt of truth, which is the most foundational piece. Knowing the truth about ourselves in Christ and about our enemy and his tactics is critical if we’re to live victoriously.

Just because Father has given us His armor doesn’t guarantee it’ll do us any good.  We must put it on, sink into it and see how well it fits.  And then we must choose to use it.  We’ll not be able to stand against the enemy unless we do.

Because His children are in the enemy’s crosshairs, Father has already equipped every one of us with every spiritual blessing.  In Christ, He has given us all we need to resist the devil and live our lives so that we honor Him and lift up one another.

Elite soldiers of Jesus Christ are characterized by their intense focus on the task at hand and by their diligent preparedness and constant readiness to explain their faith in the Lord.