I experienced interesting pictures while in quiet time this morning with my wife. We had been reading and praying about new beginnings and fresh starts in the Word and devotional notes. We had spent time chatting about this topic earlier this morning too. The pictures were of a knight putting on armour and his armoured metal helmet went on last. It was very vibrant and strangely real. In the next picture there were strange, frightening monsters being rounded up and locked away in a cell. As we prayed more and I spoke of what I had experienced a few minutes earlier, I felt that one interpretation could be of me ( or us) putting on our spiritual armour as described in Ephesians: 6.10-18. The helmet of course covers the head, and is described as protection for the mind. The monsters were perhaps intrusive thoughts, dark whispers, demonic attacks. With the full armour on, these monsters no longer have any power or influence. They are disarmed and taken away by God.
Another verse that came to mind was about taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:5.) and I thought that this tied in with the monsters being locked away. This verse also talks about repenting of ungodly thoughts and surrendering instead to obedience to God.
Much of this was vaguely familiar to me, and people tell me often to put my armour on. I try to listen, and I do pray it on when I remember. I’ve been reminded these last few weeks of the consequences of not doing it though. The whispers are deceitful and persuasive. I often get taken in by them, and they get louder as I pay them attention.
We prayed a lot about strategies for being more alert and driven to be closer to Jesus. We have made a choice to pursue this relationship more. Not making grandiose goals or plans to have it all as we expect it to be in record time. Just small baby steps with our Father in heaven, to be led into a better place, closer together and closer to Him.
In this battle that we all find ourselves, it is easy to think that even with the full armour we still do it by our own strength. Even strength in numbers through house group or church, which of course is essential too. But we are reminded that not only is the battle the Lord’s, but the victory is not dependant on success through any current struggle, problem, or battle in daily life. It has already been won at Calvary. We serve the One who is all-victorious. We serve the King.
encouragement from someone who has been through the fire 