Equipped to Win!

It is more difficult to fight to obtain a victory than to maintain or enforce a victory you already have. When Scripture instructs you to “put on God’s whole armor, (the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies), that you may be able successfully to stand up against (all) the strategies and the deceits of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10, Amplified), your success is found in knowing the victory that Jesus established so that you may enforce it.

The first part of God’s instruction of wearing His armor is knowing His truth. Truth grounds you in the victory that Jesus established. The most important part of standing strong is truth. It is essential to be settled in truth; firm, and grounded. Truth is the foundation of being armored against satan. You must obtain understanding to stand on that evil day when the enemy tries to come against you with deception and lies, as he tries to unbalance your stand. The Word is truth. The Word is:

• Alive

• Active

• Sharper than a two-edged sword

• Fire

• A Hammer, that breaks things into pieces

• Filled with purpose which is accomplished; reliable

• Settled forever and unable to be reversed

• A container of power that created the world and everything in it

• A lamp to your feet and a light to your path

• Health to your flesh and strength to your bones

• A sure immovable foundation

• Jesus is the Word made flesh

Considering the most important part of the armor is truth, you can enforce the victory Jesus established. But what does truth say about this victory? How do you know you already have it so that you may enforce it?

Established on truth, you gain an understanding of the might and authority of God through His Son Jesus.  According to the Word, Jesus finished His work on the cross. Through His completed work “God disarmed principalities and powers that were ranged against you and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him (Jesus) and in it (the cross)” (Colossians 2:15 Amplified). Jesus triumphed over satan, the author of death, the deceiver, the father of lies. By going through death, Jesus brought satan to "nought and made him of no effect" (Hebrews 2:14). Following His death, the Spirit raised Jesus from the dead by immeasurable and unlimited power and made Him sit at the right hand of God, far above all rule, authority and power (Romans 8:11; Ephesians 1:19,20,21). Everything is now subject to Jesus! In Him we have victory! This is the victory that you are enforcing by your union with Jesus; He is your sufficiency (Philippians 2:13). The enemy came to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus came “that you may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (John 10:10 Amplified). This abundant life is your victory which Jesus accomplished by the finished work of the cross. With this knowledge, you enforce your victory.

Be firmly planted on truth, the Word of God. Don’t let truth be stolen from you. Be firmly established on it. Be firm in it and hold your ground! Let the truth give you encouragement and guard you in peace. Your secure position in the Word equips you to stand in the day of temptation and trial; “to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news” (Ephesians 6:15 Amplified), the Gospel of Peace. A peace in knowing that you are one with the Holy Spirit, through Jesus, and nothing will separate you anymore because sin has been dealt with forever! Now you can confidently and boldly come to the throne of grace and receive from the Father whatever you need. A peace, knowing that nothing in all the world will separate you from His love and abundance. You share Jesus’ likeness and all the attributes of His divine nature. Knowing this you know that you are equipped with all Who God is! You possess the shield of faith. As the enemy comes against you, against your mind, to distract from the Lord and cause doubt, you believe God’s ability through you; you believe what He says. You lift your sword of the Word; you are a mighty conqueror! The fiery darts of lies and deceits from the enemy can not hit their target because you are more than a conqueror; you are an overcomer equipped by God. Lies and deceits can’t harm you because they never take root. View yourself in this way, completely clothed for battle by the power of God. Make your request known to God. Put Him to work. Pray according to His Word, which is His will. He can do more than you ask or think or imagine, according to His power working in you. He delights in seeing you prosperous and participating in the victory He has established. Persevere according to the Word of God; let your feet find no place to slip as you are held on the right path by truth. Every weapon spoken against you, which is every word that is against God’s Word, you will condemn. Come to the Lord with every need, rejoicing in hope, firm in faith, and you will see the glory of the Lord! Give everything to Him, surrender it, and lay it down. This is what it means to trust Him. Come and participate in the feast that awaits you and experience the gift of peace. Come and lay down all the unnecessary weight, the pressure from problems and life’s disturbances, so that you may stand and having done all stand! Trust in God and you will stand and remain standing. (Ephesians 6:14-18)