***Just a note. There are 3 posts on the Armor of God, so if you have ONLY received 2 in your email, please go to the blog to read the first post. Thanks!!!
10 Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength!
Did you notice that the other versions ONLY talk about the armor???
In verse 11 the CEV says, “Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks.”
And then verse 12 says, “We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.”
Let’s read these 2 verses in the New King James.
What God showed me is that in the NKJV and the CJB, these 2 verses are connected!!! In both of theses Bibles, verse 12 depends on verse 11. What does that mean??? It means that we shouldn’t read verse 12 by itself, because verse 11 tells us something that is important!!!
So, why do I say this???
Well, if you will remember, we talked about the devil being a deceiver and a liar, a thief, and a destroyer!!!
With that in mind, we need to realize that the enemy has deceived some people and they have allowed him to use them!!! Sometimes, these folks will come against us!!! They will treat us bad or talk ugly to us!!!
And God wants us to realize that they are doing this because they do NOT know any better!!! And we need to realize that they are NOT our enemies!!!
Ephesians 6:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:11-12 (CJB)
Let’s continue in our study of The Armor of God!!!
We have found out that GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US!!! He never leaves us and HE never forsakes us!!!
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
When we line us for battle, GOD STANDS RIGHT BESIDE US!!! HE IS WITH US!!! HE IS FIGHTING AGAINST THE DEVIL WITH US!!!
We know that we do NOT HAVE TO FIGHT ALONE!!!
Next, we found out how important it was that we know and understand that THE DEVIL IS A LIAR, A THIEF, A DESTROYER, AND A DECEIVER.
So, we know THAT WE SHOULD NEVER LISTEN TO OR BELIEVE ANYTHING HE SAYS!!!
We also talked about how THE DEVIL PRETENDS THAT HE IS GOD AND HOW HE WILL DECEIVE US AND TRY TO MAKE US THINK THAT HE IS GOD!!!
And remember, we can find out if the devil is trying to deceive us, by asking this question!!! DOES IT LINE WITH THE WORD OF GOD???
WHEN GOD SPEAKS TO US, WHAT HE SAYS WILL ALWAYS LINE UP WITH HIS WORD!!!!
Okay, so let’s move on!!! I get so excited when God shows me new things in HIS WORD!!!!
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NKJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
The CEV makes these verses really plain!!!
Ephesians 6:10-13 (CEV)
10 Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong.
11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks.
12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.
13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
Here are verses 10-13 in the Complete Jewish Bible!!!
Ephesians 6:10-13 (CJB)
10 Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength!
11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary.
12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.
13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing.
Let’s stop for a minute and look at verse 11 in the Complete Jewish Bible!!! I want you to see that this verse says that God provides both armor and weapons!!! And we are to use them both to stand against the enemy!!!
Ephesians 6:11 (CJB) Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary.
Did you notice that the other versions ONLY talk about the armor???
In verse 11 the CEV says, “Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks.”
And then verse 12 says, “We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.”
Let’s read these 2 verses in the New King James.
What God showed me is that in the NKJV and the CJB, these 2 verses are connected!!! In both of theses Bibles, verse 12 depends on verse 11. What does that mean??? It means that we shouldn’t read verse 12 by itself, because verse 11 tells us something that is important!!!
So, why do I say this???
Well, if you will remember, we talked about the devil being a deceiver and a liar, a thief, and a destroyer!!!
With that in mind, we need to realize that the enemy has deceived some people and they have allowed him to use them!!! Sometimes, these folks will come against us!!! They will treat us bad or talk ugly to us!!!
And God wants us to realize that they are doing this because they do NOT know any better!!! And we need to realize that they are NOT our enemies!!!
Ephesians 6:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:11-12 (CJB)
11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary.
12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.
We have to pray for these folks!!! We need to pray that God reveal the truth to them and treat them with love!!!
Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
But still we fight against the devil!!! And we have to make sure that we have ALL the armor on and that we have ALL our weapons with us and we are ready to use them!!!
And when we have done everything that we know how to do, we are to STAND!!!
Ephesians 6:13 (CEV) So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
Ephesians 6:13 (CJB) So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing.
And God tells us that when we have done ALL THAT WE KNOW TO DO, WE ARE TO CONTINUE TO STAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even when it doesn’t seem like we are winning, we refuse to back down!!! We refuse to turn away!!! We refuse to give up!!!
If we will continue to stand in FAITH, WE WILL HAVE THE VICTORY!!!
Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore…
Even when it doesn’t seem like we are winning, we refuse to back down!!! We refuse to turn away!!! We refuse to give up!!!
If we will continue to stand in FAITH, WE WILL HAVE THE VICTORY!!!
Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore…
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