CRACKS IN OUR ARMOR (Armor 3)
(12 of 15 blogs about spiritual warfare and marriage/family, taken from material I presented at a marriage retreat, Winning the Battle For Your Family, in 2019)
Sin in life can provide an opening for demons to work against us (Ephesians 4:26-27; Mark 7:21-23; Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:5-8). Even one sin that is allowed to remain can give an opening for demonizing. That’s why God provides a spiritual breastplate for us to wear (Ephesians 6:14).
The Roman soldier chained to Paul wore a breastplate to protect his heart and vital organs. It wasn’t always easy or comfortable to wear, but if he didn’t put it on he was vulnerable. Even if he wore it but it allowed holes or weak spots in it, the enemy would attack those spots and defeat him. The same is true spiritually.
Paul says this represents our righteousness (Ephesians 6:14). It reminds us of the importance of being covered with Jesus’ righteousness. We receive it with salvation when our sins are forgiven (Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:10; Luke 5:23). Breaks and weak areas are covered when we confess our sin (1 John 1:9).
In marriage a husband and wife are to encourage and help each other to overcome sin. They are to set a good example for each other. Too many times one will do or say that which leads the other to sin, like Eve did to Adam. When each one lives like Jesus, serving and forgiving each other, the couple together wears the breastplate of righteousness. It is of the utmost importance for each mate to overcome sin in their lives and to help their mate do the same. When they have children they are included in this as well so the whole family is an example of holiness.
While the breastplate protects all from above the waist, the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14) covers the waist and below. The belt helped the soldier keep his garments and weapons secured so he didn’t stumble. God’s truth keeps us from stumbling and falling spiritually. Satan wants to trip us up with his lies and deception. Whenever we get a thought that doesn’t line up with God’s truth in the Bible we must reject it. That means we must know God’s Word well.
In marriage, too, we must guard against the lies the world and the flesh give us about marriage. Self-centered values, unbiblical expectations, unforgiving attitudes and me-first selfishness abound in the world and its easy for Christians to be influenced by them as well. Children, too, must know God’s truth or they, also, will fall for the lies the enemy and their flesh tell them. We must know God’s truth, for only it sets us free (John 8:32).
John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
1 Peter 1:16 It is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Is there a sin in your life that has control over you? Get counseling, ask others to pray and do everything possible to have victory over it.
Make sure you know and live in God’s truth. Lies like, “You’ll never have victory over that sin” abound. What lies do you struggle with? What gives you victory over them?
Jerry Schmoyer
Christian Training Organization