Winning the Battle by Wearing the Armor

By Lynette Hagin

First Corinthians 2:9–10 says, “However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, no
mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’ but God has revealed  it to
us by his Spirit. But the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God” (NIV). Read this
passage of scripture carefully, because I want you to get it in your spirit.

The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).
The more you read and hear the Word, the more it gets inside of you. The more you say
scriptures out loud, the more they get inside of you.

Sometimes our minds are a little thick! Sometimes our hearts are not open to receive. But once
we get it—my, my, my! Once we get what God is saying to us, nothing will stop us! When the
revelation of the Word enlightens our mind and heart, we will do great things for the Lord.

First Corinthians 2:9 and 10 says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him” but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit”
(NIV).

This passage says that God has prepared things for those who love Him. When you love
someone, you like to be around him or her, right? You want to fellowship, talk to, and spend
time with that person.

Sometimes I wonder what God must think about us. We say we love Him. And we’re always
asking Him for something. But how much do we fellowship with Him? How often do we just
talk to Him and spend time with Him—just for the purpose of being with Him?

James 4:8 says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” Maintaining a close, intimate
relationship with God is vital to our spiritual life. We need to fellowship with our Heavenly
Father on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, many people get saved and filled with the Holy Ghost and then think they’ve
“arrived.” Since they are saved and going to Heaven and are filled with the Holy Ghost and
power, they think they can just sit down and take it easy, so to speak. But we must still
fellowship with our Heavenly Father!

It’s important to fellowship with God, because when we draw near to our Heavenly Father, He
draws near to us! And when we draw near to Him, we are better able to hear His voice. If we’re
not receiving clear direction from the Lord, we ought to check up on how closely we’re walking
with Him. Are we drawing near to God?
Many times we wonder why we’re being defeated in life. We wonder why our prayers are not
being answered. We need to check up on our relationship with God, and we need to check up on
our armor. How much of God’s armor are we wearing?

EPHESIANS 6:10–11

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, that ye may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil.

Verse 11 says, “Put on the WHOLE ARMOUR of God, that ye may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil.” According to this verse, we can’t wear just one piece of armor or half the
armor and expect to achieve victory. The Bible didn’t say to put on part of the armor—or to wear
the most comfortable piece or the piece we like best. We are told to wear the whole armor of
God.

Why are we to wear the armor of God? So we can stand against the attacks of the enemy! We
can’t just put up our fists and fight, because this is not a physical battle. This is a spiritual battle,
and we must have our spiritual armor on if we’re to win.

EPHESIANS 6:12

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, against
POWERS, against THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, against
SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.

Even though we’re not wrestling against flesh and blood, the Bible tells us there will be
wrestling! There is a battle going on right now—one that is fiercer than any battle we have ever
experienced. But protected by the full armor of God, we can defeat the enemy and win the battle!

When I think about the spiritual battle that is taking place, I’m reminded of a passage in Daniel,
chapter 10.

DANIEL 10:12–13

12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine
heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I
am come for thy words.

13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo,
Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of
Persia.

This passage reveals that there is more taking place than meets the physical eye. God heard
Daniel’s prayer the moment he prayed, and an angel was immediately dispatched on Daniel’s
behalf. But for three weeks, a wrestling—a battle—took place in the spirit realm. And there is
spiritual warfare going on right now. Even though you can’t see it with your physical eyes, there
is a battle raging around you. That’s why it’s so important for you to keep your armor on—every
single piece! That’s why it’s so important that you fight the good fight of faith!

First Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you
were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (NIV).We
know what the fight of faith is. But so many times, we get tired and weary of fighting. Then the
enemy comes in and tried to discourage us. He says, “Look at all the battles you’re having. Look
at what’s happening in your life! This wouldn’t be happening if that faith stuff really worked.”

No, faith does work! But it takes time and patience. There is a spiritual battle going on right now.
And if we want to be victorious, we must continue to fight the good fight of faith!

The enemy wants to defeat and destroy you. But you can defeat and destroy him! When you
fellowship with God on a regular basis, drawing near to Him and hearing His voice clearly, you
will be able to walk in the victory Christ obtained for you. When you put on the full armor of
God, you will be able to stand against all the attacks of the enemy.

It’s important to remember that in the greatest battles, we can have our greatest victories. So
keep your eyes on the finish line. Win the prize. Keep fighting the good fight of faith, and you
will discover the many wonderful things God has prepared for those who love Him!