Ephesians 6:13
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything to stand.
Stand your ground means to stand up for one’s rights; to resist an attack. To refuse to do what someone else wants.
Another black teenager was gunned down in Jacksonville, Florida under the “stand your ground” defense. Jordan Davis, age 17, was shot sitting in a SUV with his friends by 45 year old Michael Dunn who fired his gun nine times into a truck full of teenagers unarmed. He said they were playing their music too loud.
After this shooting there has been much momentum to repeal this dangerous law that has been abused by racially motivated attacks such as Jordan Davis and Trayvon Martin. This law was never passed for racially aggressive men to chase down teenagers to murder them at whim. It was passed so that citizens might defend themselves against an attack not for them to become the attacker.
I believe that we should stand our ground in the case of an attack but not in a way that takes life but rather gives life. When the Apostle Paul told the Ephesians to stand their ground, it was a defensive posture that gave life even as you protected your own life. It was a defensive posture rather than an offensive posture.
In order to stand your ground the way that God wants you to you need to put on the full armor of God by putting on:
1. The Belt of Truth. Truth is what holds everything together. Truth is not our perception of what is taking place but rather a divine revelation of what is reality. Truth is not a fact but a person. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” We must be embraced by the love of Christ in order to know the truth.
2. Breastplate of Righteousness. Our hearts must be protected by Righteousness. The heart is one of the most deceitful things. Out of the heart the mouth speaks. We must protect our heart through righteous living.
3. Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Instead of running people down to kill them, our feet should be ready to run and make peace. George Zimmerman should have remained in his car instead of chasing Trayvon down to confront and kill him.
4. Shield of faith to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Our Shield of faith in God should help us when people try to attack us with their accusations and mean spirited attacks. We should have the ability to absorb attacks without being drawn into violent outcome.
5. Helmet of Salvation. We need to keep a cool head in confrontation because we know that this battle is not ours but the Lord.
6. Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 God’s word is more effective in arguments then pulling out destructive weapons that only take life but don’t give life.
7. Pray without ceasing. If we were to pray when we feel threatened God would reveal to us a better way to handle it other than reacting violently
Dear God,
Too many young people have died in the inner-cities of America due to gun violence. Father, help your followers to model a better way in handling conflict. Help us to put away our “swords” and our guns and pick up your word and walk in your way. Help us to “Stand our Ground” by standing on your word. Help us to spread peace and stop spraying bullets. Today, I will put on the full armor of you God and stand my ground. I will not go backwards but forward
in Jesus Name,
Amen
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything to stand.
Stand your ground means to stand up for one’s rights; to resist an attack. To refuse to do what someone else wants.
Another black teenager was gunned down in Jacksonville, Florida under the “stand your ground” defense. Jordan Davis, age 17, was shot sitting in a SUV with his friends by 45 year old Michael Dunn who fired his gun nine times into a truck full of teenagers unarmed. He said they were playing their music too loud.
After this shooting there has been much momentum to repeal this dangerous law that has been abused by racially motivated attacks such as Jordan Davis and Trayvon Martin. This law was never passed for racially aggressive men to chase down teenagers to murder them at whim. It was passed so that citizens might defend themselves against an attack not for them to become the attacker.
I believe that we should stand our ground in the case of an attack but not in a way that takes life but rather gives life. When the Apostle Paul told the Ephesians to stand their ground, it was a defensive posture that gave life even as you protected your own life. It was a defensive posture rather than an offensive posture.
In order to stand your ground the way that God wants you to you need to put on the full armor of God by putting on:
1. The Belt of Truth. Truth is what holds everything together. Truth is not our perception of what is taking place but rather a divine revelation of what is reality. Truth is not a fact but a person. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” We must be embraced by the love of Christ in order to know the truth.
2. Breastplate of Righteousness. Our hearts must be protected by Righteousness. The heart is one of the most deceitful things. Out of the heart the mouth speaks. We must protect our heart through righteous living.
3. Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Instead of running people down to kill them, our feet should be ready to run and make peace. George Zimmerman should have remained in his car instead of chasing Trayvon down to confront and kill him.
4. Shield of faith to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Our Shield of faith in God should help us when people try to attack us with their accusations and mean spirited attacks. We should have the ability to absorb attacks without being drawn into violent outcome.
5. Helmet of Salvation. We need to keep a cool head in confrontation because we know that this battle is not ours but the Lord.
6. Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 God’s word is more effective in arguments then pulling out destructive weapons that only take life but don’t give life.
7. Pray without ceasing. If we were to pray when we feel threatened God would reveal to us a better way to handle it other than reacting violently
Dear God,
Too many young people have died in the inner-cities of America due to gun violence. Father, help your followers to model a better way in handling conflict. Help us to put away our “swords” and our guns and pick up your word and walk in your way. Help us to “Stand our Ground” by standing on your word. Help us to spread peace and stop spraying bullets. Today, I will put on the full armor of you God and stand my ground. I will not go backwards but forward
in Jesus Name,
Amen
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