Created to Live Offensively, Not Defensively
5/31/2018
Do you feel like you are living offensively or defensively when it comes to your spiritual life? Too often, many believers, as well as many churches, are living defensively? Are you tired of it? I am! This grieves the heart of our Father! We have been given all authority and power through Jesus Christ yet too many believers within our churches live complacently and cowering when facing the giants of this world. We need to be reminded of the following:
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” I John 5:4
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. I John 4:4
Did you read it? Are you living in the power of those words? If not why not? Jesus has told us, we have overcome this world! We’ve have been given a manual of how to engage in battles confidently and boldly. He has provided every tool we need for success reminding us “ to not tremble or be dismayed for He (our God) is with us wherever we go!” Joshua 1:9.
He has given us the blueprint on how to live offensively in Ephesians 6:10-18:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own ( but not with God). Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”
He told us to be prepared daily not on occasion! We are instructed to put on the FULL armor. Each piece has a purpose, and we need to know its function. When we do and appropriate it, we are ready!
The armor provides us with P.E.A.C.E. :
Protection
Equipment necessary to fight the schemes of the enemy
Alignment mentally, emotionally, spiritually and geographically with the Trinity
Confidence to overcome the enemy in and through Christ, our commander
Endurance to stay the course
The Lord has given us all we need to live effectual for the kingdom of God. When we are not prepared, and the storm surges hit, we are overtaken forgetting the provisions the Trinity has made. When we walk armor- less, we are power- less. When David approached the Israelites and saw the soldiers fleeing from the Philistine giant, he inquired as to why no one was dealing with“this uncircumcised Philistine that defied the living God’s army.”
Even though the Israelites had all the equipment and manpower to take out the giant, fear and disbelief kept the Israelite’s ineffective and unable to conquer their enemy. They stood in their armor with every weapon at their fingertips but incapable and powerless.
It took one boy who exercised his faith and confidence in who God was and would continue to be to step out and step into the battle taking the territory God had already declared with Victory! David told Saul, not “to let any man’s heart fail” because of Goliath, he would go and fight this giant!
David faced Goliath without the armor donned by the Israelite army as he knew he wore the invisible armor of God. He knew the power of God's name. David said to Goliath, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head." 1 Samuel 17:45-46. The giant, Goliath, did not catch David off guard and unprepared. When David entered the camp to see his brothers, he was ready for whatever battle he would encounter.
David knew he could rely on the Lord’s strength as well as His character. Why, because he had seen it displayed in his life through numerous situations as he attended the sheep day after day in the pastures. He KNEW his God. He had a close, intimate relationship with Him. He wasn’t snap chatting, posting on social media trying to increase his popularity and branding himself. He was spending time getting to know, listening to and communicating with God Almighty. He did not shrink back from “the giant” that was before him. Instead, he went face to face to kill, steal and destroy the onslaught of that oversized Philistine. And needless to say, David conquered the giant through the power of God while the cowering doubting Israelites stood on the sidelines bewitched in fear.
Are you like the Israelite army who retreats and stands on the sidelines allowing the enemy to continue to speak, encroach upon or seize territory the Lord declared as yours? Or are you like David allowing your faith to be built up as you trust and look to God to wield His armor of P.E.A.C.E. over you?
Just like the Israelites, how many times do we get caught off guard by the giants that stand in our way causing us to be incapable of advancing?
Are we stuck standing on the sidelines retreating and giving over to the enemy what was never his due to lack of belief, fear, or lacking our armor?
We must change our demeanor individually and corporately as a body! Let us remember, He has girded us with strength for battle Ps. 18:39.
What is the giant you are facing in your life? Look to God, armor up, seek His P.E.A.C.E. and listen to the Commander.
To live offensively, use the manual provided by the Trinity. Get on your armor applying and appropriating the Word of God daily by reading, studying, and praying.
Let's go take out some giants!