“I’m ready to go, mommy!” My eight-year-old son, Chad announced.
He stood on the landing of the stairs wearing his biggest smile along with his new dress shirt and pants. I squinted my eyes as I approached him because I could see the red shirt he had on earlier, underneath the new, crisp white one he had just put on. I drew even closer, noticing his dirt-streaked face, and chubby fingers with mud caked under his nails.
“Chad, when I told you to get ready, I meant to wash up and take off your old, dirty clothes before putting on the new ones.”
When it comes to spiritual warfare, many times we are much like my son, attempting to whitewash godliness over the top of our dirty sinful habits. Then we proceed to walk onto the battlefield half-cocked with a target on our backs.
You see, even though the Bible tells us that the moment we become Christians, we are born again (John 3:7 ) and have become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), we still have the same sinful nature alive in us along with the Holy Spirit. The two are at war according to Galatians 5:17.
“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”
With two forces at work, only one will win.
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6
Which one is controlling you—the sinful nature or the Holy Spirit?
The enemy is well aware of our sinful nature, ugly habits and hang-ups. He loves to exploits our own deficiencies in whatever ways he can. Let me explain.
Ephesians 6:10-18 directs us to put on the armor of God to fight against the enemy and his schemes. One of the pieces of armor listed is the breastplate of righteousness. If I put on an appearance of righteousness over the top of my unrighteous daily lifestyle that is dominated by sin, I’m not really protecting my heart because it’s already hard, sinful and dead.
The only way is to do something about my hard, sinful heart beforehand.
But how?
“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:22-24
The Bible teaches us to “put off” the things that hold us back, then “put on” the new nature that has the power to makes us more and more like Christ. Christians often fail to experience lasting change because they try to change solely by breaking bad habits.
However, change that lasts can only be experienced by exchanging a bad habit for a godly one (Ephesians 4:22-24 above).
God intends Christians to exchange sinful behavior with biblical alternatives.
Our sinful tendencies and habits are learned behaviors that must be unlearned by replacing them. If we don’t, we leave ourselves open to discouragement and to the devil’s schemes. God provides for us powerful heavenly weapons for each believer to “put on.”
“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:13-18
Before we can experience the victory that God intends us to have by putting on this spiritual armor, we must put off anything that may neutralize its effectiveness.
PUT OFF AND PUT ON
PUT OFF: Is Jesus really the only way to heaven?
PUT ON: The Belt of Truth. “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6
PUT OFF: My sins aren’t as bad as other’s sins.
PUT ON: The Body Armor of Righteousness: A heart surrendered to God.
PUT OFF: Worry, shame, and guilt.
PUT ON: The Shoes of Peace: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7
PUT OFF: Wavering faith. Does God really love me?
PUT ON: The Shield of faith: “You are good and do good.” Psalm 119:68
PUT OFF: Maybe I’m not really saved.
PUT ON: Helmet of Salvation: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13
PUT OFF: Some of the Bible doesn’t apply nowadays.
PUT ON: The Sword of the Spirit: “Your word is truth.” John 17:17
PUT OFF: God doesn’t hear my prayers.
PUT ON: “ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.”
Ephesians 6:18
SPIRITUAL WARFARE PLAN OF ACTION
- Wake up and stay alert.
- Prayer
- Know the truth of God’s Word.
- Understand Satan’s tactics.
- Root out Strongholds.
- Daily “put off” the sinful nature and “put on” God’s armor.
My friends, we are in battle whether we want to be or not.
The only real questions are whether we fight well, poorly, or not at all. God has provided us with the best weapons, yet they will bring victory only to those who use them as He has directed in our guidebook, the Bible.
Let’s get in the daily practice of “putting off” our old sinful ways and exchanging them for God’s ways by “putting on” our new nature created by God.
Are you with me? Please comment below:
This was the final post in a series on spiritual warfare. Here are the links to the previous posts: This Means War. Satan’s Calling Cards Part one, Satan’s Calling Cards Part Two, Satan’s One-Two Punch: Unforgiveness and Division.
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Beckie — love this post. I’m sure we’ve all been like Chad at times and have tried to hide our filthiness. God sees it even though we tried to disguise it—
Spiritual Warfare rages every day and I appreciate your tips on how to combat the enemy.
1-Wake up and stay alert.
2- Prayer
3-Know the truth of God’s Word.
4- Understand Satan’s tactics.
5- Root out Strongholds.
6- Daily “put off” the sinful nature and “put on” God’s armor.
Wonderful advice to seek the Lord!
Thanks
Del
Del,
Thanks, my friend! I’m glad you found this a helpful series on spiritual warfare. I appreciate your comments and shares on social media. My pray is that someone else will gain new insight and draw closer to the Lord.
Blessings to you and Angie.
Yes, Beckie, I am right there with you! We must discard our sinful nature and turn to God in everything, at every time and circumstance. He is with us. He will help us fight the battle within us. And He will win when we get out of His way and let Him.
Blessings, my friend!
Martha, I love how God uses simple ways to teach us deep concepts. You are so right about getting out of His way!
Awesome, Beckie. This is such truth: “When it comes to spiritual warfare, many times we are much like my son, attempting to whitewash godliness over the top of our dirty sinful habits. Then we proceed to walk onto the battlefield half-cocked with a target on our backs.” That really does put it into perspective. Great tips, thank you for the reminders!
Karen,
Ah, yes. God is good about reminding us about His ways through our kids (Grandchildren, too), right? I’m glad you found this post helpful.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, friend.
Blessings!
At the risk of sounding redundant, I love the way you courageously wade into issues that way too many seem to be side-stepping and ignoring. Unfortunately, it seems that the institutional church in America decided to do its own brand of coverup. Somewhere along the way, it became obvious that it was easier to throw some culturally adjusted coverup theology over the unclean things that crept in than to expose them and clean them up. Unless there’s somebody to do for us what you did for your son, it’s easy to go happily go along thinking nobody notices the ugly junk showing through. Imagine what would happen if we lovingly (like you did for Chad) let them know what was showing. Another great post, from one of my favorite warriors. Keep turning up the heat on the enemy, Beckie.
Ron, You bring up an important point about having those in our lives who will speak truth to us. Sometimes it can be very difficult to confront someone (out of love, of course) when we notice they are obviously covering something up (like little Chad). It’s also tough to be on the receiving end. Praise God for His Word, Holy Spirit as well as the family of God that holds us accountable.
Thanks for your comment!
P.S. Can’t wait for the book launch!
Such a good post, Beckie. You have made the armor practical and understandable. Thanks!
I love your blog about putting on the armor of God! It is something I am passionate about as well. I put on the whole armor of God every morning as I drive to work so I am prepared. Thanks for sharing.
Joanna, thanks for your confirming words. I love your heart for the Word of God.
Blessings to you, sister.
Jeanne, thanks for your kind words. I’m so glad you found this useful.
Blessings!
Beckie, You have dealt with a challenging topic in a straight forward and effective way. Sometimes we don’t want to admit that we are in a battle. Perhaps we don’t want to acknowledge our sinful nature. One of the hardest things to admit is our own problems. You have beautifully outlined our strategies of defense. We can even use those tactics to go on the offense “against the devil’s schemes.” Thanks so much for sharing this message of faith and courage. Blessings!
Katherine, WOW! Your kinds words made my day. It’s so humbling how the Lord uses broken people (like me) to share lessons from the Bible and nudge others in the direction of His loving and powerful grace.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
May the Lord bless you, your family and ministry.
Thank you for truth in practicality. I’m sure I’ll remember your list the next time I read the verses about God’s armor.
Julie, that’s so good to hear. Thanks for taking the time to encourage. Blessings, dear sister.
Wow! This is so good, Beckie! Christians really do try to wear good clothes over dirty ones sometimes! I loved your examples, and look forward to sharing this on The Silver Lining! 💙
Angela, I’m glad you found this helpful. I’m humbled and honored you’d like to share it. Thanks so much.