Can You Hear Me Now?

Most of you recognize this phrase from the Verizon commercial in which the guy goes around with his cell phone, repeating this phrase checking if the parson on the other end can hear him.  The point of the commercial is that wherever he goes, he has cell phone reception with Verizon.  Most of us with cell phones have used this phrase since having our first cell phone, moving around the house or walking outside to get better reception while on the phone.

 Why do I bring this up?  We have been talking about putting on “the whole armor of God”.  Many of you may have been asking; OK, I’m a Christian; but how do I “put on the whole armor of God”.  My parents taught me how to tie my shoes, get them on the right foot, button my shirt, put on my jacket, tie a tie, all the things that go with getting dressed; but nobody has told me how to “put on the whole armor of God”.

I think we have, but it either it did not register with us or we were not observant enough to know what was going on.  I will definitely say that is not taught in many churches.  We were blessed to have been taught this years ago and I want to share it with you.

Part of the problem is that we do not recognize what things are the result of Satan.  If you have ever read through New Testament you have been taught how to “put on the whole armor of God”.   You may not have recognized it as such; but you were taught it.  Jesus and the apostles demonstrated the “putting on”, use, application and wearing of the armor, multiple time.  How, you ask.

Start by looking for times when Jesus or His disciples confronted or talked about: Satan, the devil, demons, or evil spirits.  Examine closely what they did and/or said.  (Reminder, you will never find something if you are never looking for it.)  Every time Jesus or His disciples confronted them, He spoke to them.  He also tells us to bind things on earth; and, then they will be bound in heaven.  What is there to bind, other than Satan and his cohorts?  They talked to, or at Satan and his cohorts. 

Obviously, part of wearing this armor involves the tongue.  Nowhere will you find that they did this by just “thinking” the command. 

God is omniscient, all knowing.  Satan is not.  God knows your thoughts.  I cannot find anywhere where Satan has the ability to read your mind.  He can put thoughts into your mind; but I cannot find support for his ability to read what you are thinking.  Satan, however, is very observant.  Look at the book of Job and you will see this.  Satan listens and watches.

To summarize, “putting on”, wearing, using and spiritual warfare requires recognizing how Satan operates, when he is operating, what events or things are caused or influenced by him and then speaking to him and/or his demons.  If you proclaim to be a follower of Christ, wanting to become more like Him and to carry on His work, you must be willing to operate like He did.  His disciples had to.  Are you any different?

“Put on the whole amour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For 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. ¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

You can try to do it some other way; BUT you will not STAND!

Stand up; stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross!

Satan has to obey when God speaks! 

Clue to “spiritual warfare”, SPEAK the WORD of God.

Satan can stand up to you; BUT he cannot stand up to the WORD!

CAN SATAN HEAR YOU NOW?