Have you ever tried making a piñata? One of the simplest, easiest ways to make a piñata is to take a regular balloon, blow it up full and tie it off. Next, taking strips of old newspaper you can then dip those strips into a mixture of flour and water, and then begin to cover the outside of the balloon with a first layer of your wet paper. Now you could stop right after you complete your first layer on the balloon, but it won’t be very strong. It will be kind of flimsy because it is so thin. You need to put several layers on, and once you have several layers and it dries it will be nice and strong.
It is kind of like putting on your clothes to go outside in the winter. Sure you could step outside in the freezing cold weather in your normal t-shirt and pants, but very quickly you will realize that you are not properly dressed. So what can you do? You can go back and throw on a sweater, maybe some thermal underwear underneath your pants, and then put on your heavy winter coat, snow pants, and boots. Piece by piece you can add pieces of clothing to keep you warmer. Just like armor that a knight would put on, the chainmail, the helmet, greaves, chestplate etc, we need to armor ourselves so that we remain strengthened in our faith in Christ. We can do this by putting on our spiritual armor that Paul spoke of in Ephesians 6.
Ephesians 6:10-17 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Piece by piece we need to put on that armor of God. When we do it is like adding another layer to that piñata. Adding another piece of that winter clothing. Because as we put on that armor we become stronger in the faith. We will be able to withstand temptation and overcome it, just as Christ did. We will know the truth from lies and all be able to discern what is right and what is wrong. When we are persecuted for our belief in Jesus we will not falter, knowing that Jesus is pleased with us.
1 John 2:14 “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”
When we are strong in the faith we will be unmovable and unshakeable in the teachings of God’s word. When we hear others teaching things that do not agree with the words found in the Bible we will fully reject those false teachings, because we know what God’s word says.
Ephesians 3:16-19 “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
The word of God is our sword and shield. It is our defense against the wiles of the devil, so keep it close. Put on that armor and never take it off.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 