ARMOR OF GOD

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might [not your might]. Be continuously empowered in union with Him. He is the source of spiritual power. Spiritual battles require spiritual strength …and spiritual weapons!

Paul was closely guarded by a Roman soldier when he wrote this letter to the Ephesians, so he had an opportunity to observe pieces of the soldier’s armor at close range.

Put on the whole armor of God. God supplies the complete armor, but He expects the Christian warrior to put it on. That ye may be able to stand. In order that you may stand your ground and not retreat or fall in the struggle.

Against the wiles (artful strategies meant to fool, trap or entice) of the devil. The devil’s wiles are attractive, deceptive, and ensnaring. Satan is a personal enemy, a great adversary, a slanderous accuser, and a malignant foe. He uses clever and crafty methods to deceive.

Men dream of a devil that is a hideous, horned, and hoofed monster who haunts the vice dens of the world, but God says he fashions himself into an angel of light and fashions his ministers as ministers of righteousness (II Cor 11:14–15).

He is the champion of liberalism, ritualism, rationalism, and every other “ism” that seeks to displace Christ. His aim is to substitute something else and something different for the grace and truth of Christ. Never underestimate the enemy!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood. We are not engaged in a human, physical warfare. Wrestle means to throw or swing. It is a contest between two opponents that continues until one hurls the other one down and holds him down. The word against presents the idea of a personal foe, face-to-face and hand-to-hand conflict to the finish, a life and death struggle.

Paul is not describing a Sunday school picnic. But against principalities. Principalities refer to the high-ranking hierarchy of demonic authority. Powers. Invested with authority. Rulers of the darkness of this world. The world rulers in revolt against God influenced by spiritual beings here on earth.

Christian warfare is more than just temptations of the flesh!

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God. These are spiritual weapons. No ordinary weapons will do (II Cor 10:4 the weapons of our warfare are not carnal or fleshly). Confronted by the old subtle (skillful, cunning, crafty, clever) serpent, we need the armor of God, which is fully provided and freely given.

Withstand … stand. The purpose of the armor of God is that we may hold our ground firmly, completely, gloriously, and victoriously. Stand therefore. Take your stand therefore, bent on victory (notice Paul mentions the word ‘stand’ three times).

Having your loins girt about with truth. The belt is one of the most important pieces of equipment of the armor of God worn because it holds everything else in place. It is not an ornament, but an armament. This word “truth” might best be understood as “reality.”

One of the keys to victory in any battle is the ability to keep a grip on reality --- to maintain an awareness of the true situation, to know what’s going on (sometimes the enemy is difficult to perceive). Truth is revealed in the Word of God. It is light from heaven and exposes darkness.

Having on the breastplate of righteousness. Gods righteousness. Not our righteousness. Clothed with the very righteousness of Christ. The breastplate protects our heart from the assaults of the enemy. Without it we would be vulnerable, disgraced, and defeated. Righteousness also means: in right standing with God.

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. For firm footing, for sure steps, and for protection. When fighting with a sword if a Roman soldier lost his footing it could mean death. Preparation indicates readiness, prepared to see duty, prepared to do God’s will, and prepared to proclaim the gospel of peace.

Above all. In addition to all. Taking the shield of faith. The shield is for full protection. It represents our complete safety under the blood, where no power of the enemy can penetrate. Note it is to be taken. Faith is utter dependence on God, upon His presence and His power. Faith puts God between you and the enemy.

Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. The fire-tipped darts are the arrows dipped in combustible material and set on fire in Satan’s efforts to destroy you. The shield will quench every one of them without exception. It will stop the missiles of accusation and put out the fire of lies.

satan is a master at putting insinuating thoughts in your mind also!

And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This sword is used in the hand-to-hand conflict. It is the only offensive weapon. It is provided by the Spirit. The soldier in Christ cannot use the carnal weapons of culture, science, theories, traditions, or commands of men, or defeat is inevitable.

God has promised to bless His Word (Isa. 55:8–11). Our Lord (Commander-in-chief) used this powerful weapon in the wilderness when He met the devil with, “It is written”

(Mt 4:4–10). The sword must be unsheathed. The Bible must not lie idle. If our sword is getting rusty because we haven’t been studying the Word, we’d better sharpen it!

Praying always. Pray without ceasing (I Thess 5:17) as you engage in battle. Keep the lines of communication open with the Captain of our salvation. Prayer and the Word should never be separated. The searching of the Word must be done with prayer, and prayer will be effectual through knowing the Word. With all prayer. Confession, adoration, thanksgiving, petition, intercession, supplication.

In the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who prays in us, through us, and for us. Watching. Be on guard, vigilant, wide awake. Perseverance. Persistence, striving dispite difficulty. Supplication. Specific requests.

For all saints. In behalf of all believers. Soldiers in Christ should fight shoulder-to-shoulder and knee-to-knee.

In the U.S. Army, weapons and equipment supplied to a soldier, is standard G.I. Government Issue. As a spiritual soldier your gear is also G.I. -- but God Issue.

The different parts of armor mentioned above symbolize spiritual truths that belong to the believer. Dressed in the full armor of God we are prepared to withstand any attack from the enemy.

The Armor of God is also for rescuing fellow prisoners as we fight the fight of faith!

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