Lay Your Amor Down

Colossians 3:7-17 (TPT) says, “7–8 That’s how you once behaved, characterized by your evil deeds. But now it’s time to eliminate them from your lives once and for all—anger, fits of rage, all forms of hatred, cursing, filthy speech, 9 and lying. Lay aside your old Adam-self with its masquerade and disguise.

10 For you have acquired new creation life which is continually being renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God. 11 In this new creation life, your nationality makes no difference, or your ethnicity, education, or economic status—they matter nothing. For it is Christ that means everything as he lives in every one of us!

12 You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. 13 Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. 14 For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.

15 Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ live in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom. Apply the Scriptures as you teach and instruct one another with the Psalms, and with festive praises, and with prophetic songs given to you spontaneously by the Spirit, so sing to God with all your hearts!

17 Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you!”

This title does not mean that we do not engage in warfare, but our strategy has changed, which is drawing near to the Father’s heart (James 4:5-10, TPT). We give leeway for God to fight our battles, especially the ones outside of our control. Just as David, we can strive so much in the flesh warring that we become incapable and unqualified to build a temple like Solomon. We can only be the temple of the Holy Spirit and enter into an age of peace by becoming one in the body of Christ and laying our armor down to collectively worship God and pursue the heart of Yahweh.

Christ is not coming because of how strong the spirit of Jezebel and Leviathan are, and while we know these spirits are in operation, they only have room within the church when we give it to them. The only authority the enemy has in your life is what you give him! When Jesus said, “It is finished”, He meant exactly what He said. When He spoiled every principality and power, putting them to an open shame, I believe He humiliated the enemy and defeated the enemy, taking the keys of death and hell. So, my question is, “Why are we fighting a defeated enemy?” Therefore we have that very same authority! And He is coming back for a pure and spotless the bride is!

The bride concept is not to feminize the men in the church. It is an allegory that expresses Christ’s love for the church as well as our love for Him, becoming one in spirit and submitting to His authority while reflecting His name and nature to others. It signifies that we belong to Him!

What you choose to put on and put off is exactly in your control. You are not a baby, but a bride! You do not have to depend on someone else to change you when you are more than capable of changing yourself in the Spirit of Christ! We must lay aside the armor and as the bride enter into the bedchamber of devotion. This devotion is prayer life where you worship Him and give Him access to minister to your heart. You become a laid down lover of His presence, where His grace overwhelms you is such a way that it flows through your everyday life.