Armor of God | Watchful Perseverance
The armor of God has been a topic that has been difficult to get our minds wrapped around. What it is and how we put it on, has seemed to be a bit mysterious. So maybe by looking at the effect of the armor we can get a better understanding of how to put the armor on.
We previously looked at The Word of God, so let's take the next piece. We're leaving in, The Effect of Armor, section here for continuity.
Watchful perseverance has an effect. The effect is the developement of an acute, if not intuitive, awareness and curiosity about our ministry.
Watch in Ephesions 6:18 means to be circumspect, attentive, ready.
Perseverance simply means steady persistence in a course of action or a purpose, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
These are pretty straight forward words that we are familiar with. There are a few different words in the bible that can be translated "watch" and although there are distinctions, a heightened awareness and curiosity about our ministry is always the effect.
Supplications are highlighted as a part of watching in Ephesians 6:18. These following scriptures, highlight watching being connected to Jesus coming back and our relationship to church leadership. These are important parts of understanding the whole of your ministry.
The prophet Habakkuk commited to watch and God gave him a vision to run with.
The church at Sardis was instructed concerning watching and more specifically, called to wake up!
It doesn't take to long to realize that watchful perseverance takes us into all aspects of walking in our ministry. What a great piece of armor! Let's use it.
Answer... How well do you understand your ministry?
If it is unclear, you may just be a new Christian. If you've been a Christian for a while please connect with a seasoned Christian who can walk with you in the skill of watchful perserverance.
Whether you are a new Christian, or a long time Christian who hasn't quite hit your stride, but ready to be the disciple God has called you to be, the approach will actually be the same. Even if you know a lot of scripture.
Learning how to watch comes from a discipleship relationship with a seasoned Christian. The discipler will also help you to walk with perseverance. The Lord has given the Holy Spirit to teach each and every one of us but remember, God gave us teachers who he works through. In fact, they are part of the plan!
For the persevering dicsiple, the day will come where, although you are still growing and learning, you will understand every detail of your ministry. There are no shortcuts to developing a relationship with the Lord but we also do not need to take the 20 year route to get there. It is a very unique and peaceful feeling to having discoved your ministry and be walking in it with great awareness and curiosity.
Please, add your thoughts in the comment section.
The Effect of Armor
The most prominent place the armor of God is listed is in Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJV. Each piece of armor has an effect. Since it is spiritual armor, and we are physically oriented, it can be difficult to understand what is happening when we have it on.
One of the things we know about armor is that once we are in the battle, we shouldn't have to think about the armor. It will passively protect us and we shouldn't have to give it another thought. We inspect, test and repair the armor on a regular basis and ensure it is fitted correctly on us.
Now, there are probably many effects that we can identify but this study is simply to start the process. For our purposes, we are focusing on one effect but be sure to seek out more. If you find more than what is listed here, please add them to the comment section below.
So, let's continue to look at the effect of each piece. Today we are tackling watchful perseverance.
One of the things we know about armor is that once we are in the battle, we shouldn't have to think about the armor. It will passively protect us and we shouldn't have to give it another thought. We inspect, test and repair the armor on a regular basis and ensure it is fitted correctly on us.
Now, there are probably many effects that we can identify but this study is simply to start the process. For our purposes, we are focusing on one effect but be sure to seek out more. If you find more than what is listed here, please add them to the comment section below.
So, let's continue to look at the effect of each piece. Today we are tackling watchful perseverance.
Watchful Perseverance
Being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints... - Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJVWatchful perseverance has an effect. The effect is the developement of an acute, if not intuitive, awareness and curiosity about our ministry.
Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. - 1 Timothy 4:14-16 NLT
Watch in Ephesions 6:18 means to be circumspect, attentive, ready.
Perseverance simply means steady persistence in a course of action or a purpose, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
These are pretty straight forward words that we are familiar with. There are a few different words in the bible that can be translated "watch" and although there are distinctions, a heightened awareness and curiosity about our ministry is always the effect.
Supplications are highlighted as a part of watching in Ephesians 6:18. These following scriptures, highlight watching being connected to Jesus coming back and our relationship to church leadership. These are important parts of understanding the whole of your ministry.
"Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is." - Mark 13:33 NKJV
"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." - Luke 21:36 NKJV
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. - Hebrews 13:17 NKJV
The prophet Habakkuk commited to watch and God gave him a vision to run with.
I will stand on my guard post And station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, And how I may reply when I am reproved. Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run." - Habakkuk 2:1-2 NASB
The church at Sardis was instructed concerning watching and more specifically, called to wake up!
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. - Revelation 3:3 KJV
Watching and Ministry
The idea of watching is directly related to gaining understanding of our ministry through purposeful awareness and active curiosity about our ministry. We can see this effect clearly in scriptures where we are instructed to be diligent in our ministry.But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. - 2 Timothy 4:5 NLT
And say to Archippus, "Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you." - Colossians 4:17 NLT
It doesn't take to long to realize that watchful perseverance takes us into all aspects of walking in our ministry. What a great piece of armor! Let's use it.
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Take Action!
How do I know if I'm watching?Answer... How well do you understand your ministry?
If it is unclear, you may just be a new Christian. If you've been a Christian for a while please connect with a seasoned Christian who can walk with you in the skill of watchful perserverance.
Whether you are a new Christian, or a long time Christian who hasn't quite hit your stride, but ready to be the disciple God has called you to be, the approach will actually be the same. Even if you know a lot of scripture.
Learning how to watch comes from a discipleship relationship with a seasoned Christian. The discipler will also help you to walk with perseverance. The Lord has given the Holy Spirit to teach each and every one of us but remember, God gave us teachers who he works through. In fact, they are part of the plan!
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. - Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT
For the persevering dicsiple, the day will come where, although you are still growing and learning, you will understand every detail of your ministry. There are no shortcuts to developing a relationship with the Lord but we also do not need to take the 20 year route to get there. It is a very unique and peaceful feeling to having discoved your ministry and be walking in it with great awareness and curiosity.
Here are additional resources to help develop your strategy:
Please, add your thoughts in the comment section.
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Concept
“The effect of watchful perseverance is awareness and curiosity of our ministry.”
In The Cool Zone and More Life in My Day are sister websites dedicated to discipleship. They work in tandem, providing the teaching and coaching for growing in the Lord and becoming effective in our walk with the Lord.
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