The Armor of God June
13, 2015
Anyone have a chance to read it. What do you think.
Why do we really need the Armor of God. There is only one reason why, besides
following the command of our Lord and Creator, Jesus. The Apostle Peter tells us why.
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he
may devour.
We may not realize it, but we are presently
engaged in warfare.
Not a physical battle but a spiritual battle.
Are we equipped and prepared or are we a
sitting duck.
The Apostle Paul gives us a list of 7 things
to prepare us for this warfare.
Paul’s Armament List
1. Girded with Truth
2. Breastplate of Righteousness
3. Preparation of the Gospel
4. The Shield of Faith
5. The Helmet of Salvation
6. The Sword of the Spirit
7. The Heavy Artillery
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord and in the power of His might.
Be strong:
means, be made strong. The
passive voice would suggest that we cannot do it ourselves.
It is God who strengthens us.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me.
We are strengthened, and thus become strong.
Power of His might: explains where our strength resides;
These expressions are applied to Jesus, my
Messiah.
(11) Put
on the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
“Put on” This wording of the Greek indicates
that believers are responsible for putting on God’s full armor.
We need to Be completely armed.
Before the battle begins: Do we really realize, that we are already on
enemy turf.
The whole armor of God is the believer's protection against evil and the Evil One.
Wiles of the devil are Satan's subtle tricks to defeat Christians in spiritual warfare
2Co 11:3
NKJV But I fear, lest somehow, as the
serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the
simplicity that is in Christ.
(12) For
we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts
of wickedness in the heavenly places.
1. against principalities and
2. against powers, – terms designate different rank of evil spirits
3. against the rulers of the darkness of this age – ruler of this world
4. against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places –
dwelling place of these evil
influences
Our real battle is not with humans, but against ranks of
(fallen) angels and demons that are working through them
“Reality”
Let’s Re-examined what we mean.
The Apostle Paul says there are four
dimensions
Ephesians 3:17-19 NKJV
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being
rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend with all the saints
what is the width and length and depth and height—
(19) to know the love of Christ which
passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Width - Breadth
Nachmonides, 13th Century said
there are 10 dimensions and only 4 are knowable
Physic Scientists today says today there are
at least 10 dimensions found, 4 are directly measurable and 6 dimensions can be
found only by indirect means.
The Scriptures provides us with two examples
that stand out of just a glimpse of Unseen Warfare. Star Wars?
The first example of this Unseen
Warfare: turn to 2 Kings 6:8-17
2 Kings 6:8-17 NKJV
Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted
with his servants, saying, "My camp will be in such and such a
place."
(9)
And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, "Beware that
you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there."
(10)
Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the
man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not
just once or twice.
(11)
Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this
thing; and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you not show me
which of us is for the king of Israel?"
(12)
And one of his servants said, "None, my lord, O king; but Elisha,
the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that
you speak in your bedroom."
Is this the first record “bug of a bedroom”
in the Scriptures?
(13)
So he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and get
him." And it was told him, saying, "Surely he is in
Dothan."
(14)
Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they
came by night and surrounded the city.
(15)
And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there
was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant
said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"
(16)
So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are
more than those who are with them."
(how many times we have heard this statement)
(17)
And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he
may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of
horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
What is around us today, protecting us in this worship?
The second example, we find in
Daniel 10
a Glimpse of the Dark Side
Dan 10:1-21 NKJV
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to
Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but
the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.
This was a vision.
(2) In
those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
The exiles had returned from Babylon and
begun rebuilding the Temple. Why was
Daniel still here, because of his age:
over 80 years old.
(3) I
ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint
myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
(4)
Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of
the great river, that is, the Tigris,
Dates are important in the Scriptures. When was this, 2 or 3 days after Unleavened
Bread ended?
(7)
And I, Daniel, alone saw the
vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that
they fled to hide themselves.
Is this similar to what the Apostle Paul went
through
(8)
Therefore I was left alone when I
saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was
turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.
(9)
Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his
words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
(10)
Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on
the palms of my hands.
(11)
And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the
words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was
speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
(12)
Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day
that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God,
your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
(13)
But the prince of the kingdom of
Persia withstood me twenty-one days;
and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been
left alone there with the kings of Persia.
·
Does each nation have a prince?
·
Satan prince?
·
They held up the messenger to Daniel?
(14)
Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people
in the latter days, for the vision refers
to many days yet to come."
(20)
Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must
return to fight with the prince of
Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.
Prince of Persia and prince of Greece. This is just a glimpse into this spiritual
warfare.
What are we to do about it this spiritual
warfare we are in.
Yes, this is something we are to do.
We know the Holy Spirit will guide us in all
things.
Now, back to Ephesians 6
(13)
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Be completely armed and “to withstand or
stand against”
Paul’s Armament List
Paul’s detailed description of the armor may
stem from being chained to a Roman soldier while in prison awaiting trial (Acts 28:16, 20).
Acts 28:16 NKJV
Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the
captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
(20)
For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and
speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."
Actually, the Holy Spirit is consistent in
His use of idioms throughout the Scriptures: these same elements are alluded to
in the Old Testament.
Isaiah 59:16-17 NKJV
He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was
no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own
righteousness, it sustained Him.
(17)
For He put on righteousness as a
breastplate, And a helmet of
salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
Return to Ephesus
(14) Stand
therefore, having girded your waist with
truth, having put on the breastplate
of righteousness,
“What is Truth?” Pilate said to Jesus.
Truth is our most precious treasure to be
coveted. Truth is the key to success, fulfillment, victory, or achieving any
worthwhile goal.
The pursuit of truth is our greatest
challenge in anything we do.
“...loins girt about with truth”:
The Roman belt was 6-8 in wide; all the body
armor and weapons were attached to it.
Definition of truth: “when the Word and Deed
become one.” The ultimate truth is the fulfillment of God’s promises in The
Messiah. Jesus said He is the
truth.
John 14:6 NKJV
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
Me.
It was prophesied of Christ that
righteousness should be the girdle of his loins and faithfulness the girdle of
his reins.
Isaiah 11:5 NKJV
Righteousness shall be the belt
of His loins, And faithfulness the
belt of His waist.
“...having on the breastplate of
righteousness”:
The most important stewardship we have, is
our heart!
Roman breastplate: Bronze, backed with
leather. The breastplate secured the vitals.
The breastplate covered the heart (Rom 6:13;
14:17; Isa 59:17; James 4:7).
Romans 14:17 NKJV
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
We know the
breast-plate was over the lungs and heart. If Christ's righteousness is over
our hearts they can hardly suffer harm.
A blow through the breastplate usually means
death.
(15) and
having shod your feet with the
preparation of the gospel of peace;
“...feet shod with the preparation of the
gospel”:
Isaiah 52:7
NKJV How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad
tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"
A Roman soldier’s feet were shod with hard,
studded Shoes, (often of brass or the like), were part of the military armor.
The use of them was to defend the feet against the gall-traps, and obstructions.
1 Samuel 17:6 NKJV And he (Goliath) had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze
javelin between his shoulders.
And when we are fighting with swords, our first
slip is usually our last!
Preparation is required to success in anything
we do.
As a Christian, we should be ready to go to
defend and spread the gospel.
(16) above
all, taking the shield of faith with
which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
“...taking the shield of faith”:
Roman shield was 4 ft. x 2 ½ ft., overlaid
with linen and leather, to absorb fiery arrows.
The structure of the shield was essential.
The time to plug any holes was before the battle.
Flaming arrows could not penetrate the fireproof shield of the ancient
Roman soldier, nor can the assaults of Satan penetrate to the believer who
places his or her faith in God.
Taking care of the shield was the key to
proper maintenance.
The faith
that fully trusts in God and never doubts, is the best of all defenses.
Faith will
quench, stop, put out all the doubts, whisperings and evil suggestions of the
wicked one.
1 Peter 5:9
NKJV Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are
experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Rom 10:17
NKJV So then faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(17) And
take the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God;
“...take the helmet of salvation”:
The
helmet provided protection for the head and also made him
look taller and more impressive.
The Believer knows ultimate victory is sure.
His assurance is a critical blessing.
One of the most important aspects of our
defense against Satan’s most vicious attacks is our firm faith in Our Lord and
Creator, Jesus our Messiah with the help of the Holy Spirit.
“...and the
sword of the Spirit”:
The Roman sword: only 24 in. long, sharpened
on both sides. With this sword sharpened on both sides, the Romans achieved
victories.
However, the sword required special training
and extensive practice!
The more typical sword of that day was
longer, sharpened on only one edge. It
had to be used with the arm in a chopping motion.
With the doubly sharpened short sword, the
Roman legionnaire could duck, catch his enemy off balance, and thrust or cut
from any position, winning the engagement at close quarters.
Same way
with the Word of God. The sword of the Spirit is the only
offensive weapon in the believer's armor, which actually requires us to know
the Word of God.
Hebrew 4:12 NKJV
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Christ employed this Sword three times when
tempted by the devil (Mt 4:1-11).
Being hid in the heart (Ps 119:11),
Psalms 119:11 NKJV Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I
might not sin against You.
God’s Word will protect us from sin.
The Heavy Artillery - Prayer
One of the most important factors in a
military engagement is proper ground support:
·
interdiction - To prohibit or forbid someone to do something,
which is Satan and his demons.
·
flanking fire - fire delivered on
an enemy flank (side) from a position to the side of that enemy
·
direct assaults – ask for protections for Christians
being killed in Middle East.
·
long distance
This goes beyond personal armor, this is a
major offensive weapon not from us personally, but from our God and Creator. We have to ask in faith.
Now the focus is on the heavy artillery—with
action-at-a-distance—prayer!
(18) praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints—
Praying always”: we are spiritual members of
the Body and praying for all the people of God.
As with any supporting fire, coordination is
vital! We all need to be supported by others in Prayer.
Prayer should be continual, not hit or miss:
Like reliable soldiers, we are to be praying in all persistence.
Prayer should be public and private,
deliberate or spontaneous, praise or thanksgiving.
We covered why we need The Armor of God,
because Satan is out to draw us away from the Lord Creator.
Remember, the Apostle Paul said there are 7
things we are to do to
Paul’s Armament List
1. Girded with Truth
2. Breastplate of Righteousness
3. Preparation of the Gospel
4. The Shield of Faith
5. The Helmet of Salvation
6. The Sword of the Spirit
7. The Heavy Artillery
What are we to do? I believe James answers this to the point.
James 4:7 NKJV
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
This is what we are to do in our lives (submit
to God and that is so hard to do in certain circumstances) and watch Satan and
the demons flee from us, if we submit to God.
