"For 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.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Maybe you’ve never thought about it...but you need protection, spiritual protection. Satan would love nothing more than to “take you out, spiritually speaking, that is! But...no need to be afraid, just be aware of what is out there. The Bible says that Satan goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour… How many people do you know that have left the faith? These people have been devoured by Satan. They had warning…because they can read the scriptures just like you can…but they let their guard down.  We are going to cover here how you can protect yourself~

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?

Number one, be aware that you are not just fighting your own carnality, oh that it were that simple. God tells converted people what they need to do.

1. Don’t be afraid...evil is always out there, but the Bible says that if we simply resist Satan he will flee from us, he will get away quick. When mother Eve listened to Satan’s whispers in the Garden of Eden, she made one big mistake…she didn’t resist him, she actually liked what he was saying, and she influenced Adam to listen to Satan too.  We choose God and his system and it is a protection...we have a covenant with God and therefore God protects us.  We have faith in Him that He will keep us.

2. Don't be Proud...Satan is proud, the Holy Spirit does not produce pride, God and Christ are both humble. We can’t take credit for understanding the truth either, because God opens the mind of whom He wants to.  Could have been someone else that he chose.  One of Satan's best tools is to appeal to our personal pride and many fall, not knowing that pride is one of the biggest pitfalls a Christian can face. So if you want to block Satan from harming you, wipe out any personal pride, and do this very important thing…...

3. Put on the Armor of God

Ephesians 6:12 -17 says,

"For 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.  Wherefore 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.

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;" 

"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Why do you need the helmet of Salvation?  It is there to protect your head…to protect your very mind. For one thing, if you let Satan make you begin to hate yourself and to doubt your salvation and to feel like you are not going to qualify to be in the first resurrection, that is dangerous too. Get that helmet buckled!  Guard yourself from those thoughts. Don’t ever condemn yourself. Converted people have a tendency to do that. 1 John 3:20-24 must be talking about this when it says, “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things."  We get tired, and God does know that. We fight Satan’s system, we fight our own mind, we fight our own carnality, our own family, the world. But, that is why the reward will be so great to those who are called to be in the first resurrection. We had to fight it all. But read on,

4. HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS

Vs. 21-24 continues, "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."

HOW YOU KNOW YOU’RE OK

If you want to keep God’s law, you are ok. If you love the brethren, you are ok. If you love God, you are ok. Don't entertain thoughts like “I’m not going to make it.” (taking your helmet off.)  Satan would like us not to make it. But God is the one who can make us stand, and as the Bible says, "if God be for us, who can be against us."  On the other hand, don't condemn others either. Don't hate anyone, much less the brethren, Satan is the accuser of the brethren, don't let him use you or me to do his dirty work.  Satan may be the accuser of the brethren, but he has no power to condemn us. Nor do we have any power to condemn anyone either....

Christ said, His sheep hear His voice and know Him, and they won’t go to another.  If you know who God is, you will also recognize other converted people and we are commanded not only to love God but to love the brethren. We refuse to stand side by side with Satan with a list of accusations towards our fellow brethren or to have grievances against God, as some have done, and left the faith.  To do that is standing on dangerous ground.  God will give us the armor that we need to protect ourselves.