Spiritual Warfare: The Armor Of God

February 5th, 2023/Casey Middle School

Intro: We have moved much slower than anticipated through the portion of Scripture we are going to be looking at today. The purpose was to give you as much context and spiritual understanding on the supernatural realm as possible so that you would be able to STAND AGAINST the enemy and his schemes.

If you are going to go into a battle then you need a few things in advance, an understanding of the enemy and their tactics, an understanding of the resources at your disposal, and a clear vision and strategy to move forward.

Now to be clear, we fight as one already knowing the end result. This should give a confident hope as we march forward not toward victory, but in victory. Jesus Christ has already defeated sin, hell, and the grave on our behalf. He is the champion in battle both now and forever more!

Just because we have victory, it does not mean that we do not have to fight. The enemy of God’s kingdom is active in waging war and trying to bring about his kingdom of darkness in the world around us, in our homes, and in our personal lives. This is why we must STAND.

But take courage “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” - 1 John 4:4

Passage: Ephesians 6:10-18 CSB

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

Pray:

Background:

This book is the Apostle Paul writing to the church in Ephesus. It is 1 of 4 books known as the prison epistles. As he is writing this from prison in Rome. He writes about our identity in Christ and our saving faith by grace through faith. Then he goes on to describe what it means to live as Christ followers in the world. Finally he concludes his letter by preparing us for a spiritual battle. A battle in which every Christ follower enlisted the moment they declared Jesus as Lord.

God gives you the armor but he doesn’t put it on you. So you can have it and it does not benefit you. You can have it, but only choose certain parts that fit your season. You can have it, and oftentimes neglect it. God has given you everything that you need to stand in battle, but it is going to require submission, perseverance, and obedience.

Illust: like the doctor giving you medicine and you not taking it.

In this passage we see two categories of three, introduced by two different verbs. “To be” & “to take”.

First three “to be” - a state you should always be in

Last three “to take” - is what you use on an as needed basis.

Illust: baseball player. He has on his uniform for the whole game because that’s the state he’s in. But he only picks up the bat when he's ready to hit and the glove when he’s ready to catch, as needed.

The concern is the “evil day”. Not when everything is going your way, when you have favor with all, when provision abounds, but so that you can resist on the evil day. The day when all hell is breaking loose in your life. How do you stand firm? How do you both resist and stand firm, but also take new ground?!

God is over all things, but all that He’s over doesn’t know that He is over. Because the all things that He is over, that He’s given to, is the church. 2:6, we are seated with Him in heavenly places. 3:10, God displays His wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavens through the church.

God does not need our permission. But He has chosen to work through His church, so our prayer and obedience matter.

So God has chosen to show His wisdom in the heavenly places through the church. That is why our involvement in the local church is critical to our success. It is also why our actions, reactions, and obedience is of the utmost of importance in our daily lives. Although we are living in the physical realm today, we are also operating in the heavenly places at the same time with how we live our lives and how we pray.

Now let’s talk about the armor. These pieces of armor are all you need. To leave your armor unattended is to leave them susceptible to ungodly influence and demonic forces. To leave your armor is to go into battle ill-prepared and equipped to face our formidable enemy.

Title: The Armor Of God

Main Points: The Whole Armor

1. The Belt Of Truth

   1. “Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist…” (v14)

   2. The belt was always the first piece of armor a soldier would put on in preparation for battle. It was an apron that had brass plates on it that would cover the lower abdomen.

      1. When you are prepared with the truth, then you have taken your first step towards a strong defense.

         3. Truth can be defined as an absolute standard by which reality is measured.
         4. Truth is what God says on any subject.
         5. The enemy is a liar and manipulator.

      2. He loves to take the truth of God and manipulate it in our lives.

      3. He loves to deceive and blind us to the truth of God’s Word.
      4. He loves to distract us with good things so that we would be distracted from the main thing.

      5. He loves to make us think that we are wise in our own eyes.

         6. What often happens is that people use “my truth” and wind up THE truth. You start with the truth. You start with God’s Word and His voice in your life, then all other wisdom and understanding comes as a result of His guidance in your life.

      6. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” - Matthew 6:33

         7. Truth is more than feelings. Truth is more than facts.

2. The Breastplate Of Righteousness

   1. “Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,” (v4)
   2. The purpose of the breastplate is the same as the belt, it’s meant to protect your vital organs from arrows that would harm you. Without the breastplate the arrows could easily penetrate your heart.

   3. What’s the connection? Truth is the standard. Once you know the standard, then you know what the right action is.

      1. Righteousness is defined as receiving the righteousness from God and living in submission to His will for your life.
      2. “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20
      3. “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” - 2 Thessalonians 3:3

      4. Opposition to the standard invites demonic engagement. Which produces confusion, doubting, and ultimately destruction.

         4. You need to attack the power behind the problem with obedience to the standard.

      5. “but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.” - 1 Peter 3:15-16

      6. To be ready to give a defense of the hope that is in you is to know the truth. This involves both knowing the truth and sharing the Good News with others.
      7. Do this with a clear conscience. Living as a person of integrity, as someone who lives an upright and righteous lifestyle.
         5. “because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil.” - 1 Peter 3:12

3. Feet Prepared With The Gospel Of Peace

   1. “Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.” (v14-15)

   2. The shoes provided a prepared foundation for the soldier to not slip back in battle.

      1. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:4-7

      2. When you pray, God gives you His peace. And in His peace our minds and hearts are guarded for battle.

         3. Illust: two different paintings.. draw “peace. One is calm mountains, birds chirping, and a flowing river. The other is chaos everywhere, but there’s a sliver of light on a bird in the middle of the chaos, singing. The latter is biblical peace.
         4. Peace is not the absence of chaos, but the presence of God. He’s still there! He’s still near! He’s with you always!!!

      3. Biblical peace is when everything is wrong and you’re still rejoicing. You are still singing!

      4. “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” - Psalm 34:1

         5. When all hell breaks loose, you can be sure. You can have peace.

      5. ““Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” - John 14:27

      6. “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”” - John 16:33
      7. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”” - Isaiah 52:7
         6. When you have peace, you can now move. When you have His peace, you can now bring peace to the world.
      8. “If you are basing your decisions on biblical truth, you are operating them in a righteous way, God will solidify that decision in a pragmatic way by giving you calm even though you may be in the midst of hell breaking loose.”
         7. “To be” the state you are in.
         8. Bring out Ryan
         9. Now “you take”

4. The Shield Of Faith

   1. “In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (v16)

   2. What’s the connection…

      1. “For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden, 4 because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.” 1 John 5:3-4

         3. Whose armor are you relying on?

      2. The faith of your parents?

      3. The faith of your church?
      4. The faith of your spouse?

      5. If you are not using the armor that God has given you, then the armor, that is meant to protect you, will paralyze you.

         4. Biblical faith is acting like God is telling the truth.

      6. Biblical Faith: “Acting like it is so even when it’s not so, in order that it might be so, simply because God said so.”

      7. “Faith is measured by feet.” - Dr. Tony Evans
      8. That is why we are called to WALK by faith.
         5. Illust: cowboys and Indians. Shooting arrows and guns. Arrows aren’t really a fair fight. But an arrow dipped in oil, that’s different. The arrow dipped in oil and set on fire is not meant to shoot the cowboy, but the canvas of the wagon. They knew the cowboy couldn’t fight fire and Indians at the same time, it was a diversion.
         6. Illust: motion detector lighting. The power is there, but until motion is detected, power is not revealed.
         7. Faith requires movement. And once you move you have power and authority over the darkness
         8. Throughout Scripture God waits for movement before He moves. Greatest chapter on faith Hebrews 11. It shows you an action taken, not merely a feeling felt. Feet reveals faith. That’s why it’s called WALKING BY FAITH.
         9. “We are often waiting on God, when God is waiting on us to express His authority.”

5. The Helmet Of Salvation

   1. “Take the helmet of salvation” (v17)
   2. He’s dealing with your thinking.

   3. Your greatest weapon is not your new idea, but the reality of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus applied to your life.

      1. This is the ultimate defeat of the enemy.

      2. He won then, He’s still winning now, and He will win in the end.

         4. “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:8
         5. Some of us are walking around with just a helmet. We are spiritual strikers.

      3. Can you imagine thinking that you are going to deflect all of the fiery arrows with a helmet?

      4. Can you imagine thinking you are going to take offense on the enemy with just your helmet?
      5. Your salvation is not just saving faith, but living faith!

6. The Sword Of The Spirit

   1. “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.” (v17)

   2. Our only offensive weapon. All other weapons were to defend from the enemy, but the Sword’s purpose is to defeat the enemy and rescue the perishing.

      1. “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” - Hebrews 4:12

      2. A physical sword penetrates the skin, but the sword of the Lord penetrates the very soul!

         3. Why only one offensive weapon? Could it be that if everything else was in place, it’s really all that you need.
         4. It is the Sword of the Spirit because it is the only weapon the Spirit uses. We’re asking the Spirit to do stuff that He doesn’t do. And to use things He doesn’t use.
         5. The word “Word” is interesting. It is rhema… the Word used, or individual text. Not Logos, the whole Word.

      3. Could it be that we have it backwards? We’re teaching people how to have a Bible study with Christians, instead of teaching people how to have a Bible study with the devil.

      4. Matthew 4 & Luke 4 - Jesus responded “As it is written…”
         6. “One of our best weapons of defense is a good offense.” - John Bevere.
         7. The shield of faith protects you, but the sword of the Lord advances you. Like saying you have faith to build, but you’re not ROOTED in the Word.

7. Prayer

   1. “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” (v18)

   2. “Prayer is earthly permission for heavenly intervention.” - Dr. Tony Evans

      1. Pray at all times
      2. Pray in the Spirit
      3. Pray with all prayers
      4. Pray with your eyes open (Neh 4:9)
      5. Keep on praying
      6. Pray for all the saints
         3. Prayer is not a weapon or even part of the armor, but it is the means in which we engage in battle and the purpose for which we are armed.
         4. “To put on the armor of God is to prepare for battle. Prayer is the battle itself…” Spirit Filled Life Bible.

Closing: It all points back to Jesus!

The whole armor is a picture of Jesus Christ: (Wiersbe)

1. Christ is truth (John 14:6)
2. He is our righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21)
3. He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14)
4. His faithfulness makes possible our faith (Galatians 2:20)
5. He is our salvation (Luke 2:30)
6. He is the Word of God (John 1:1, 14)

Resources: Dr. Tony Evans, Spirit Filled Life Bible,