LiveMindfuLee

Yesterday my grandmother really re opened my eyes to Ephesians 6 and I feel called to share this with you today. My grandmother is a Pastor and has led women’s ministries for years. When I need to talk to someone to gain clarity or ask for redirection in faith she is one of my most valuable assets and I am blessed to be able to have these kinds of conversations with her.

We were talking about a point of conflict and a life decision that I had to make, and she said “Are you putting on the armor of God every day before you start your day or pray?” and I said “Well yeah, I mean I am reading the bible, praying and talking to God about everything” and she says “No, the armor of God is real, you have to actually pray and put each piece on like real battle armor and believe in it because it works by faith”

I had heard at least 3 sermons on the armor of God, and in bible college I guess we haven’t discussed it yet. In these sermons they gave really beautiful metaphorical descriptions of how each of their pieces of armor are strengthened by knowing your bible and believing in Christ as the true son of God and Savior. I hadn’t realized this was not just a beautiful and powerful metaphor for your relationship to God, Christ, The Holy Spirit and the Bible, but a real actual spiritual armor you have to ritualistically put on and give power to through faith.

Ephesians 6 “The Armor of God”

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² 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. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor 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. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

I decided to pray on each piece of the Armor of God onto myself each as a real piece of Armor before going to sleep. For the first time and weeks I had no nightmares. My dream wasn’t pleasant but it was necessary. I had a dream that showed my insecurities in my current state and showed me my vulnerabilities. My dream gave me a lot of necessary insight and led me to posting this today. I felt the literal shift from the prayer immediately. My feelings no longer are conflicted and I am aware of the decisions I need to make. I woke up and I said this prayer again before doing anything at all, and I felt it again, I felt this shift that I knew I had to come on here and share with you today.

Belt of TRUTH – Represents Honesty and Integrity in life

Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS – Symbolizes living a morally upright life according to God’s standards and guidance.

Shoes of the GOSPEL OF PEACE – Symbolize readiness to share the good news of salvation.

Shield of FAITH – Trust in God and His promises, serving as a defense against spiritual attacks from the enemy.

Helmet of SALVATION – Protection of the mind from thoughts that could lead one astray.

Sword of the SPIRIT –  The word of God, which is used to defend against spiritual attacks and to share the truth. 

Example of a prayer to put on the armor of God each day:

“Heavenly Father, I put on the whole armor of God today, standing firm against the schemes of the devil. I put on the belt of truth, girding my waist with your truth and rejecting lies. I put on the breastplate of righteousness, protecting my heart from sin. I put on the shoes of peace, ready to spread the gospel. I take up the shield of faith, extinguishing the fiery darts of the enemy. I put on the helmet of salvation, guarding my mind. I take up the sword of the Spirit, your Word, to fight against evil. I pray in the Spirit, on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. Amen”

Armor up Sis,

Brittney @livemindfulee