Experiencing "The Armor Of God"
Bible Study Review
I know of some folks who turn their heads when it comes to the topic of spiritual warfare. They can’t wrap their heads around the fact that it really exists. It seems too far fetched, too sci-fi-ish, not a subject they want to think about. Good vs. Evil. A war.
Spiritual warfare has been depicted quite
colorfully in some sci-fi movies, but it
is not fictional, it is very real. It is real life. It’s been going on in the
heavens for a very long time, and if you are a believer in the almighty God,
Satan and his advocates have been nipping at your heels every day trying to
find a way in to wreak havoc with your soul. Your struggle with your
self-image, your relationships, your fears, the constant fight you have with what
is right and wrong…yep, it’s spiritual warfare.
I have gone into battle before. I’ve
recognized what it was. I’ve gotten it stopped immediately. In my book, “It Is
What It Is…But It Wasn’t A Tragedy”, I share one personal story of attack that
happened during a rehearsal several hours before I was to speak at a very large
event.
“… I had lost
my focus and lost my nerve. I started shaking and couldn’t stay on cue. I was
almost riddled with fear and almost to tears! What was this thing that was
happening to me?
... Then it
dawned on me, as I thought to myself, ah ha, fear. I had believed the devil’s
lies that I was not worthy to speak, the lies that I was a fearful person and
that I was not good enough. Lies that I was weak…
…I knew that
I was under some kind of a spiritual attack. As I drove home that afternoon
after the rehearsal I was still shaken up. After arriving at home I went to my
bedroom to change into the clothes that I would be wearing for that evening’s
event. In the silence of my room I spoke out loud and with much determination.
“Devil, get
behind me, I am a child of God and you will not prevent me from speaking!”
It was then
that the shaking stopped and all my fears and doubts stopped as well. My body and mind
were once again at peace and the speech that I had prepared for that evening
was not impeded in any way.”
Got it stopped. Immediately.
So why is it that believers can and will
experience these types of attacks? Below is an illustration, that I had used in
my book, to help explain why these things happen to those who actively walk and
live out their faith on a daily basis:
A hunter and
his dog went duck hunting. The hunter quickly shot two ducks and one fell dead
to the ground. The other duck was still alive and floundering around on the
ground. The hunting dog did not go to the duck that was still, but instead went
after the one that was flapping around.
The devil is
like that as well. He doesn’t go after and cause a lot of problems to the
believer who is standing still, because that one isn’t as much of a threat. He
goes after the one that’s flapping around and creating waves.
Okay, so I know this stuff, so why was it
that I didn’t recognize what had been happening to me over the last several
years? Why have I struggled so. Why did I believe the lies of, unworthiness. To the point that I was
beat down, gave up, didn’t want to do the fight, checked out. What happened?
I knew that the minute my book hit the sales
stands, I would be under attack. I knew the minute that I started sharing
Christ in public forums and wrote a Bible study, I would be ensued fervently by
the evil one. As soon as I stepped out of my comfort zone to do good works
publicly for the Kingdom, yep, you got it, war!
I share in my book about the often times
dangerous and difficult childhood that I had growing up as the sheriff’s kid in
a small community. It left its scars. But I’ve always looked back at those days
and counted them as growth experiences. They made me strong, courageous,
fearless. Nonetheless, the scars are still there.
So the evil one found a way in. He stuck a knife
in a scar. Right where it hurts. Unworthiness.
As a child I was made fun of, never made a part of, scoffed, mocked, ridiculed,
by adults and peers. As a young adult I overcompensated and became a people
pleaser, to a fault.
This unworthiness
attack hit just about every area of my life.
I had been laid off due to a business
closing over three years ago. I’ve taken part-time temporary work that paid way
below what I’ve ever made before, and I lied to myself, that I don’t want to be
in charge any more. Over these several years I believed the lie that I don’t
deserve full-time permanent work, and especially where I was the boss…of
anything. I declined any request to return
to management.
I told myself that I was perfectly happy not
using my gifts of leadership and administration that God gave me. I tried to
deny how I was wired, how I was gifted, how God made me for his purpose!
I dropped out of church leadership, because
I believed the lie of “not good enough.” Yes, I have had some health issues,
was in constant pain, and had elder care issues to deal with that were taking
up a lot of time, but you see, the evil one just used those matters to compound
my feelings of insecurities and inadequacies.
The battle got worse, more things happened, and
I quit going to church, thought about leaving church, wasn’t in a Bible study,
and the list goes on and on! I pretty much became a hermit. I gave up. I knew
that I was under attack, I mentioned it to some of my friends, sorta, in a
round about way. Asked for some prayers. I simply didn’t want to do the fight,
I was tired.
2016 rolled around and I was determined to
make some changes, regardless of how much I didn’t want to, or didn’t feel like
it. I put a mental list of things together that I wanted to accomplish for the
year that would bring my soul back to health, and getting my head on straight
was one of them! Getting back in church, another. Oh, and find a Bible study
group, any study, whatever, I didn’t care what it was about, just something to
break out of my hermititis! And God
wouldn’t let up on this either! He was quite insistent!
I received an email from my church that had
a list of women’s Bible studies that were going to be offered. Because of my
work schedule I first looked for one that would be held during a time that I
could actually attend. I saw one, only one, and it would be starting soon. I didn’t
really look at the title, or even care to read the synopsis. I still wasn’t
fully engaged, I just needed in a study. So I signed up. And I went. Believe it
or not, unworthiness crept in and
tried to keep me from going, “never made a part of” was the lie. The same thing
happened when I started to attend church again, the lie was “ridiculed by
peers”. Who knows where this stuff comes from! Oh, yeah, we know now!
I showed up, received my study book, and much
to my surprise the study was called “The Armor of God” by Priscilla Shirer
based on Ephesians 6:10-19. V.11 Put on
the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the
schemes of the devil. Wait, what? Seriously?
This is the study I signed up for!! Wow! I’m fully awake and on board now!
So, I’ve told you how the devil has wreaked
havoc with me, and now I am sharing with you that a peace beyond all
understanding came upon me! My God is an awesome God and he cares for me enough to lift me up and bring back the
smiles! He knew exactly what I needed and he blessed my socks off with it!
I fell in love with this study right away as
it addressed everything that I had been experiencing. Priscilla, through her
video, is a wonderful speaker and teacher, bringing clarity and knowledge to how
the devil schemes against us and the many ways that God empowers us, with his
given gifts, to go into battle everyday.
Our uniform, our battle gear, is made up of
the Word of God, Truth, Peace, Faith, Righteousness, and Salvation. And Fervent
Prayer. We have the power, the strength, and the protection. And the good news
is, we are in a battle that has already been won! (If you have read the last
book in the Bible, you know that God wins!)
I have not been given the spirit of fear but
the spirit of fearlessness. I am worthy of the fullness of my salvation! I have
been rescued and restored! I have been empowered by God’s own Spirit to fight,
and to fight victoriously over the enemy! I’m back in the game, winning! AMEN!
I’ve asked for forgiveness for giving up, and
for denying how He has wired me for his purpose. I had been weakened through this
attack, but have gained much strength through the Word and this study. This was
an experience. It was thought provoking, deep, applicable, and healing. I would
highly recommend “The Armor of God” by Priscilla Shirer to anyone!
Take this study if you have the chance. Get
some clarity and knowledge. Get geared up, prayed up, and ready for the battle!
It’s gonna’ happen! Daily!
Many Blessings!
Debra Lee
