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Mustard Seed November/December 2002
Be Prepared
Mustard Seed - November/December 2002
I'm sure all of us at some point in our lives, as a child or an adult, have been to the circus. We get our ticket, go inside, perhaps get some refreshments, and wait for the show to begin. In a few minutes the master of ceremony announces the first act. We sit and watch the huge elephants walk around with tail and trunk joined together, the cute little poodles jump through the hoops, and the chimps riding the tricycle, and as they exit, we smile and applaud. But then at the edge of the ring, in the rear, we hear the powerful roar of a lion; all of a sudden we feel a little tense. Immediately we see the trainer with a whip in his hand and giving the lion various commands, the lion still growling, roaring and slapping out its paw at the trainer, and right away it gets our attention. We see the fierceness of the animal and show great respect. No way do we want to be in the same ring with this animal. We will keep a watchful eye on it.
How often does the scripture come into our minds, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walk about seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8.) The Bible describes satan as a roaring lion, being powerful, quick, ready to attack its prey. We know that satan has other disguises also. (As an angel of light, a tempter, a liar, read 2 Cor.ll:14, Luke 4:13 and John 8:44.) But whatever satan mask himself as, he should be considered as armed and dangerous. That doesn't mean that we have to cringe and jump from every shadow, but we must use the armor that God has given us to fight with. As we read in the sixth chapter of Ephesians verses 10-17, we can see how God equips us for battle against satan. Each piece of armor is very essential.
Let's take a brief look at the various pieces of armor, and see what we have to work with,
The Girdle or Belt of truth: reminds us that the Gospel and the Bible are credible dependable and true.
The Breastplate of Righteousness: our obedience to God is accounted as righteousness.
Shoes of Peace: leads us to act in ways which reflects our believer's way of life. Shield of Faith: throws back the arrow of the evil one.
Helmet of Salvation: protects our mind, keeping it on the right thoughts and keeping both God the Father and Jesus Christ in the picture.
Sword of the Spirit: the word of God, helps us to be a warrior in readiness, knowing God's word and how to hold fast (Read Eph. 6:ll-18 in the living bible, it sheds quite a bit of light on the subject.
The true Believer must be vigilant and watchful of the adversary, yet not to live continually in a defensive stance. We can be victorious, but we must put on the whole armor of God. Being sober, vigilant and watchful is all a part of our guard duty. Resist the lion (devil) and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
I. Shavers
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