Hebrews 11:6: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

As we follow Jesus and walk in "Everyday Faith," this series is designed to help you become free and walk in life more abundantly.

John 10:10

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

1 John 3:8

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Galatians 3:27

Every piece of the armor of God is a picture of us being clothed in Jesus.

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

God knows you and everything about you. He identifies with you. Roman soldiers did not question their rank, role, or qualification. They were notoriously confident in who they were.

We should view ourselves as people who God loves and identifies with.

God has given us an unshakeable identity and image through Christ.

The helmet of salvation represents our eternal security we have in Christ’s salvation.

Since the beginning of time, the devil has tried to deceive those who belong to God. He tries to alter our thoughts, beliefs, and identity.

When Adam and Eve were in the garden, Satan asks them, “Did God really say…?”

Satan attempts to attack us through our thought life.

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Schemes - methodeia - cunning arts, craft, trickery, lies, deception

The enemy’s chief weapons are deceit and accusation, but he cannot touch our union with Jesus.

Colossians 2:13-15

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

The helmet of salvation helps protect our thinking with unshakeable truths concerning our salvation: I’m forgiven, I’m redeemed, I’m righteous, and I’m united with Christ.

Ephesians 4:23-24

… be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

I Corinthians 2:16b

…But we have the mind of Christ.

The sword of the Spirit is the rhema word of God.

Word - rhēma – living/active/revealed word

The sword of the Spirit represents the alive and active word of God. It is used to destroy the deceptions, tactics, and accusations of the enemy.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

God’s word is surgical and specific. It goes right after the lie or accusation and is designed to completely remove its influence from our lives.

Whenever the word of God shifts from logos to rhema, it pierces, divides, and severs us from the lies that we’ve believed.

Many of us have lived our lives trapped in the bondage of our own thoughts and insecurities. But God has revealed to us a new identity and perspective in Christ.

We’ve been given a sword that is designed to go in and pierce the deepest lies, scars, hurts, pains, addictions, insecurities, brokenness, deceptions, and accusations, that have risen against us. However, because we do not use our sword, because we do not know about our sword’s capabilities, and because we do not understand how to use our sword, it appears to us dull, foreign, on the backburner, a verse a day, a last resort…

Isaiah 54:17

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD.

It is time for you to take your sword and condemn the weapons of the enemy.

God has given us a sword to condemn the lies the enemy throws at us. God has given us authority to take back any ground the devil has stolen. God has given us armor to take a stand for our family.

1 John 3:8 said Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Romans 8 says the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. That means that we’ve been equipped with Christ in us to destroy the works of the devil.

No matter how far gone or broken you feel, God has dressed you, decorated you, and clothed you in Christ. What needs to be done is for you to begin believing this to be true.