Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God

I’ve had this posted on my refrigerator for months. Almost every morning I read it out loud and sing a little song to Jase with hand motions to teach him about the armor of God. I love the visual of actually “putting it on.”

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For the past few weeks, I have forgotten (I’ll just go ahead and chalk it up to laziness) to do this as we normally do, and I can absolutely tell in my life.

I am starting a new Bible study at church on Wednesday nights in August. I am so thankful for the calling& opportunity to teach, and although I do not feel worthy, I do know that God is simply looking for a willing vessel. I know He can speak through me if I just get myself out of the way. I try to be obedient when God calls me to do something, but to be honest, I am always tempted to turn it down because of the spiritual warfare that I know accompanies teaching God’s Word. Every.single.time I begin to pray over and prepare for an upcoming study, you better believe the enemy attacks and I can FEEL the spiritual warfare all around. There are multiple temptations opportunities where my faith is challenged and I can choose to react with the either the fruits of the spirit or in the flesh.

Of course, this time is no different.

When I am not consistent in choosing to put on the full ARMOR daily and follow this Scripture, I become weak and vulnerable to attacks. In fact, this just happened. I have reacted multiple times to attacks from the enemy in a very fleshly manner and have had to pray for forgiveness and ask for forgiveness multiple times. When I try to “lean on my own understanding,” I fail every time. You’d think I would learn by now, but nope…I keep doing it over and over. That leaves me with more guilt and disappointment in myself, especially because I know it says in James 3:1 that “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.“

Negativity is so draining to me, and it’s mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausting. Sin always leads to negativity, because there are consequences for sin. God has to discipline us because he loves us, and when I choose to sin (and ladies, let’s be real…it is a choice even if we don’t feel like that sometmes), I do not have an open line of communication to hear from the Lord. I know He desires an intimate relationship and wants to communicate with me daily, and even more so as I am preparing to teach others. Basically, I have allowed a roadblock in that communication and have to seek forgiveness.Giving in to the temptation of sin is just simply not acceptable to me, and I am working on allowing the Lord to change my heart and grow me through this. I just wanted you guys to know that I screw up. A lot.

Aren’t y’all thankful we serve a merciful and gracious God who loves us in SPITE of our shortcomings? I know I am!

I am really excited about the upcoming study with so many sweet ladies. If you are local to me and looking to join a women’s Bible study, we have ladies of all ages, all backgrounds, and all walks of life. We would LOVE to have you! God always gives me a study that I need more than anyone, so I am looking forward to seeing what He has in store for me (and for all of us).

As for you, I just wanted to share this with you and encourage you that no matter what you have done or are facing, there is nothing you can do to make God love you more and nothing you can do to make God love you less. You might grieve him, but ask for forgiveness and turn from your sin. Put on that FULL armor of God daily. Keep fighting the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12). Sometimes we just need the reminder to do this daily…

6 comments:

P!nky said...

Good luck with the Bible study, I know God will lead you to be the teacher He wants :)!

I remember singing the song about the Armour of God. The children's choir at church sang it last year too and it was so sweet.

raimielew said...

Thanks so much for your transparency- it is more encouraging than you know to read that others struggle with the same things I/we feel shame about all too often. So much of your post resonated with me, I was just reading and thinking I feel every one of those things too!

Prayers for a successful study, I'm sure you will do well and spread the light :)

Amanda Lee said...

So grateful for your blog! I so admire your faith and love reading tips of motherhood and fitness. Just wanted to let you know :)

Unknown said...

your blog is a great resource. thank you for doing that

Unknown said...

I wish I went to your church - I'd love to be in your bible study! Keep writing these posts for us who can't attend. Do you think you could ever do one on your blog? I love how Good Morning Girls does that and I think you'd be great :)

Anna Catherine said...

Thank you! I needed to read this. I lead a Bible study and lately I'm not doing my best at it. Thanks for your words of encouragement and accountability!