Bondage to the Past (Part 8)

Part 8: Bondage to the Past

Scripture Study: Ephesians Chapter 6:13-18

Topic: The Whole Armour of God


Outcome: To protect ourselves using the armour of God from spiritual forces that wish to
destroy us.

Introduction:

In active addiction we could not manage our own lives our whole life was centered around the use of drugs or the person using drugs or alcohol. We knew that we were committing suicide slowly, yet we lacked the willpower to do anything about it. Addiction enslaved us and we became prisoners of our own minds plagued by guilt and fear. In recovery we learnt that we suffer from a progressive disease that is cunning baffling powerful and without help from a power greater than ourselves there was no hope and the ends were always the same jails, institutions or death. As Christians in recovery we have come to realize that the power greater than ourselves is God and through Christ is our hope and salvation. He frees us from the chains of our past.

This scripture 1 Peter 5:6-11 really means a lot to me about the battle we face.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know your brothers (and sisters) through out the world are undergoing the same sort of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in a while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever Amen

Points to bear in mind from this scripture:

1. That we must be humble (many of us were humbled by experiencing a rock bottom)
2. We need to cast all our worries onto him (Step 3)
3. We need to be self controlled and alert (by living a program of recovery)
4. We need to realize that our disease (or devil) wants to destroy us
5. We know that we are not alone and need to support one another
6. That God will in time restore our lives if we stand in faith
7. That we do not have the power to recover on our own. Only God has the power to
Free us from the bondage in our lives.

We know that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against unseen powers as described in Ephesians 6:11-12. To protect ourselves from these spiritual forces God gives us the tools to defend ourselves the Whole Armor of God – Ephesians 6:13.

The Armor of God:

1. The Belt of Truth (Honesty)
2. The Breast Plate of Righteousness (Living a life right with God)
3. Shoes of Peace (Serenity that comes from God’s Word)
4. The Shield of Faith (Confidence of what we hope will happen) Heb.11
5. The Helmet of Salvation (Accepting Jesus as your personal Savior)
6. The Sword of the Spirit (The word of God)