Guarding Yourself

Many times Christians find themselves in situations which they cannot address in their ability. This requires one to apply the word of God, as a weapon. How effective are you in doing so?

In battlefield a soldier is required to be fully equipped without leaving behind a single weapon for the war. No soldier can go to war without a gun or weapon of warfare. We are in the world, with many things fighting against Christians. Our war not physical, but against principalities of the devil. The good thing is that we have mighty weapons of war.

2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds...

God has given us His whole armor:

Ephesians 6:13-17
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

The word of God, being a part of our armory, helps us to stand our ground when fighting the devises of the devil. How well are you acquainted with the word of God? How effective are you in your knowledge of the Scriptures?

The devil is cunning, and if you are not acquainted with the word he will use it against you, as he tried to do against Jesus:

Matthew 4:1-10

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” ⁴ But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” ⁵ Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” ⁷ Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” ⁸ Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

Because Jesus knew the Word by heart, He was able to overcome Satan's temptations. When you know the Word of God, not by your head but rather by your heart, you will also be able to overcome any temptation that overtakes you.

You also need to know and work on your weaknesses, because the devil  can use them to lure you to sin. For example, the devil knew that Jesus had been in the wilderness on a fast for a long time, so he threw him a food-related temptation.

 
Keys for a victorious Christian who is well guarded

• Knowledge of the word of God - Matt 4:4,7,10
  
• Know of your righteousness (right-standing with God) - Eph. 6:14
  
• Walk in faith – Eph. 6:16
  
• Always ensure you have the helmet of salvation on – let your salvation be a sermon to somebody
  
• Never leave the Sword of Spirit behind Eph. 6:17, Rom. 8:8. God is Spirit, so we also ought to always walk in the spirit, according to the Spirit, not in the flesh 
  
• Pray always - Eph. 6:18.

Amen.

-- John Mulu. 


(8/03/15 Sunday Morning Exhortation, Teaching Transformation Ministry)


Brother Mulu is a vibrant youth, at Teaching Transformation Ministry. We are located along the Thika-Ruai Flyover Junction (at the Thika Rd./ Bypass intersection), Next to Eastgate Restaurant.