What comes of the Ephesians 6 depiction of these is an organised system. There is a clear cut form of governmental authority. It is division of labor or powers, territory or principality and delegation for effectiveness. It is a snapshot view of the enemy territory that "we" are fighting. The artillery of the war is equally mysterious; loins girt about with truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of truth, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, and prayer. These are the garments of the believer.They are also the impenetrable seals.
This sounds more like a battle of wits than any other thing. The worthy opponent too has his weaponry, for the offensive or counter offensive. For the loins girt with truth is the offensive weapon of lies. In the last days, many will be deceived. And many are. The whole world is under the sway of the wicked one. It is why Christ had to come, and the government shall be upon his shoulders, its written. After the triumph over death, sat at the side of the father- above all other authority. This after He had been offered the easy way out- that by bowing down to the devil and rebelling against God in the process, He was to have the entirety of the Kingdoms of the world in their glory. He preferred the way that would offer salvation to mankind. And from the time he said the kingdom is upon you, it has been spreading like wild fire.
The Gospel
The Kingdom comes by reformation of the hearts of people. Like taking a city, the light that He is illuminates the darkness that most of us are in, and darkness cannot comprehend it. The gospel has a cleansing power to it. It lights up the lamp in us and sends the strongman of the house packing, replacing Him with the spirit of God. This is the conversion of territory from darkness. the Kingdom is within you.
Just like the Kingdom of God in spirits of men, so is that of darkness. Demons of different rankings are governing this world. The are in charge of principalities and rule over their like and over the world. it is for this reason that the world is referred to as not our own, and the end of the reign of power comes at the end of the age. Its why the world lies under the sway of the wicked...The disciples had knowledge of this and thats why they asked at some point if after the signs of the coming of the end, the Kingdom will be restored to Israel.
The Belt of Truth
The obvoius weapon of offence againt this one is lies. and there are. Ther are stories of the possessed tailored to take the wits off any man. Stories of underground places with no windows and doors, blood drinking vampire-like tales, some who live under the sea, turning into all kinds of things and other lies like the devil sitting somewhere kidnapping people and offering them as sacrifice e.t.c. They must be lies for these reasons:
- They are allegedly told by demons as tey are being cast out of people(unlikely). If they are told by demond or the devil who would believe such. The father of lies making confessions? not likely.
- The resultant effect of such is fear. And God has not given us the spirit of fear. Anything delivered in fear should be suspected.
- They are just ridiculous. And There is no mention of such in the scripture, they would be if they were as important as their proponents make them out to be.
The Breastplate and Shield
The breast plate covers the heart. It is the righteousness that makes us whole before God. watch out therefore for those that cast doubt unto your righteousness. GUARD YOUR HEART, FOR OUT OF IT FLOWS THE ISSUES OF LIFE. It doesnt matter that the offender is a book, standing on a pulpit or dressed in a cassock. The effect is the same. Righteousness is born of faith, the shield of faith. Faith is as simple as a mustard seed, a tiny effort with gigantic potential. Righteousness is a believers entitlement, to all the promioses of God so do not let it be challenged.
The Sword
The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. The sword is a weapon of offence and defence too. There is a time for everything, a time for war and a time to make peace, and peace is the power of God to repossess lost ground. Jesus is the prince of peace. With good counsel only is war made. Armies thrive on instruction, with a well defined stucture of command. It is the same with the soldiers of Gods Kingdom.. Aspecific word carries the authority and power of the King. Moses, Joshua, the Judges and Kings offer lessons on these. The devil attacks and defends by the same sword. It is a sword that works both ways. He is the accuser of brethren. Christ is the Advocate. The word is the bullets of the weapons.
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