Paul discusses putting on the full Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-17. These verses are so important because they hold God’s promises for our protection and victory. We have the Shield of Faith which is our first line of defense. We have the Belt of Truth which allows us to walk in our true identity in Christ. We have the Breastplate of Righteousness which protects our hearts and frees us from condemnation. We have the Gospel Shoes of Peace which allows us to walk in peace no matter the difficult circumstances or difficult people in our path. We also have the Sword of the Spirit which empowers us to take down the enemy with the promises found in God’s Word, the Bible, and the promises the Holy Spirit gives us personally.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4.12 NIV).
Out of all the Armor of God, the Sword of the Spirit is our protective offensive weapon–one we must wield. This sword is double-edged with the words and the promises found in the Bible on one blade and the words and the promises God gives us personally on the other. We cut down strongholds and spiritual attacks by professing God’s promises daily. For example, when we feel condemned, we can claim Romans 8.1-2: I have no condemnation in Christ. If circumstances rob us of our peace, we can claim John 14.27: Jesus has given me peace that is not of this world. If we are doubting God’s promises for us, we can claim 2 Corinthians 1.20: My promises from God are “yes” and “amen” through Jesus. And if we are feeling anxious, we can claim 1 Peter 5.6: I can give all my anxiety to God because He loves me.
All God’s promises found in the Bible are potentially ours, but we must find them, believe them and claim them. We claim His promises by faith until they become a reality. We never want to claim what we see with our physical eyes. We must claim what God has promised by faith regardless of the situation we find ourselves in. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5.7 NKJV). We must trust that God loves us and that, no matter what, He will work ALL things for our good (Romans 8.28). Once we truly feel the caring hand of God, our fear will transform into faith, our worry will transform into trust and our heartache will transform into joy (Psalm 30.11).
Moreover, God gives us words and promises about our personal lives, but we have to be attentive to them, write them down and profess them out loud. He has a plan and purpose for us, and He wants to guide us into our destiny. God desires to speak to us and show us things we do not know (Jeremiah 33.3). He may guide us with soft promptings in our spirit. He may give us dreams and visions. He may use people to encourage us with words of wisdom. He may use prophecy to direct our steps. And He will apply the words of the Bible to our lives. God does not want us to be lost and confused. He knows all things, and He will share His insights with us if we are willing to listen. Every time we hear a word or promise from the Holy Spirit, we can write it down, claim it and confess it.
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (Jeremiah 29.11 NIV)
We overcome life’s obstacle and the enemy’s attacks as we passionately and purposefully wield our Sword of the Spirit. We must not let a day go by that we don’t proclaim His promises, especially when we find ourselves in a difficult season. Some seasons of waiting and believing may last only a day while others may last years or even decades, but we can’t let go of hope. We continue to declare the promises of God, believe by faith and thank Him in advance. As we lean into the Lord and rely on His words in the Bible and His words given to us personally, we find strength to claim the victory that is rightfully ours in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15.57).
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10 Promises to Claim
- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3.16 ESV).
- “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe” (Psalm 4.8 NLT).
- “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4.4 NLT).
- “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you‘” (Hebrews 13.5 NKJV).
- “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm” (Exodus 14.14 NLT).
- “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3.20 NLT).
- “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4.19 KJV).
- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11.28 NKJV).
- “But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53.5 NKJV).
- “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10.13 NIV).
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