Sunday 3 February 2013

Protection

Where do you search for your protection?

I have seen the hand wash below, "protect" it proudly states. But what can it really do to protect you? is it really an effective form of protection?

If someone tries to; steal something, hurt someone or commit fraud, what will you do? Squirt them in the eye with it?

                                   

Some people are fortunate enough to have body guards, those paid to protect you, but even they are not much match for fraud, health problems or natural disasters.

So, where can we get real protection?

Ephesians 6:14-18 is all about the armour God gives us.
This is REAL protection, available to all those who trust in God. 

Ephesians 6:14 - 18; 'Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,'


You have truth - your mind will be no longer deceived, you are wearing the truth. Protecting your mind from the lies that tell us we are no good, unworthy and bad. We can combat those things with the knowledge that we are right before God.

You have righteousness - not the ability to always be right, but being free from wrongs, from your sin. This reminder can protect our hearts from the fear that we are not good enough, we don't match up.

You have readiness and peace - it's great to be ready, but I hate being in a rush. I forget things, drop things, and panic, so I definitely don't feel the peace in those moments. So being ready with peace sounds quite appealing to me, it protects us from the madness of rushing about! It makes our bodies ready for action so we can act calmly.

You have Faith - certainty, knowledge, assurance that God is with you and for you, no matter what. It doesn't matter what comes at you, you are protected by the shield. Look after it, keep it strong, and it will withstand, 'the flaming darts of the evil one'. 

You have Salvation - let your mind be made up through the knowledge that you are saved, you are in the family of God, and that cannot change. Jesus died for you, if you believe and accept that, you are saved. 

You have the Spirit/ word of God - God will guide you with His Spirit, be open to listen (that means taking some time out to listen, and being aware that God is with you every and any where). Let the Spirit guide you. One way He does this is through 'the word'. The word is the Bible. Read it. Think about it. Make your mind up by it and follow it. 
If you miss this out, how are you going to fight? This is your sword! The other parts are defensive protection, whereas this is an offensive weapon!

What I have noticed about this passage is that we are the ones responsible for wearing this armour. We are responsible for protecting ourselves
God provides the armour, but we must, 'take up', 'put on' and fasten these things to ourselves. 

God provides the protection, it's our responsibility to accept it. Like someone with a bodyguar, it's the persons choice whether they go through a mob without the bodyguard or not, if they go alone, they are at risk. If you don't put on this armour, you're at risk. 

The attack will happen whether you are wearing your armour or not. 
The question is are you going into the everyday battle with it?