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THE ARMOR OF GOD

Ephesians 6:10-18

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Christians are in a war.

1.      “…that thou by them mightiest war a good warfare” (I Tim. 1;18).

2.      “Fight the good fight of faith” (I Tim. 4:12).

3.      “Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Tim. 2:3).

4.      “…contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3).

 

B.      There are several ways the battle impacts us.

1.      We can side with the enemy.

2.      We can flee from the battle.

3.      We can be severely wounded in the battle.

4.      Or, we can stand strong and fight!

 

C.     The last option is what Paul exhorts us to take in Ephesians 6:10-18.

1.      In verses 10-14, he uses the word “stand” three times.  He uses the word “withstand” once.

2.      This is a very familiar text.  It has been labeled as “The Armor of God.” 

 

I.                   THE APPEAL (Eph. 6:10-11)

 

A.    The Admonition (Eph. 6:10) 

 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

 

1.      The admonition is to be strong.

2.      Strong

a.      Strong (1743):  empower

b.      Thayer:  endued with strength

3.      Notice that power is not our own.  We are strong “in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

4.      Strength is the key to victory.  The old adage says:  “The battle belongs to the strong.”

 

B.      The Approach (Eph. 6:11a)

 

Put on the whole armour of God…

 

1.      Herein lies our strength.

2.      We will discuss this armor more as we continue in the lesson.

 

C.     The Aim (Eph. 6:11b) 

 

…that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

 

1.      This is the purpose of wearing the armor.

2.      We must stand to win the battle.

3.      Notice, he reveals who is heading the opposition force, “the devil.”

4.      Without the armor of God, we cannot stand before his trickery, his cunning, and his deceit.

 

II.                The Adversaries (Eph. 6:12)

 

A.    They aren’t (Eph. 6:12a)

 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…

 

1.      We are not really wrestling against human beings.  That is why we need divine strength instead of human strength (see. 10).

2.      At times, humans become agents for the opposition.  Still our fight is not really against them. 

 

B.      Who they are (Eph. 6:12b)

 

…but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

1.      These powers operate out of the sight of man. 

2.      The terms Paul employs to describe them indicate positions of power and authority.

a.      Principalities:  a chief or a magistrate

b.      Powers:  superhuman, potentate

c.       Rulers:  lord or prince

d.      Spiritual wickedness in high places: 

1)      Spiritual wickedness denotes their character

2)      High places:  that which is above the sky, in heavenly regions

3.      These are the armies of the evil one. 

a.      They are the ones who do the devil’s bidding. 

b.      In Matthew 25:41, Jesus teaches us about “the devil and his angels.” 

c.       These are the ones who are fighting against us.

 

III.               The Admonition (Eph. 6:13-14a)

 

A.    The Advice (Eph. 6:13a)  take unto you the whole armour of God

 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God…

 

1.      The thought of the opposition forces caused Paul to advise his readers again to take the whole armor of God.

2.      This is our only defense against evil.

3.      Notice the emphasis on the “whole” armor of God.  We cannot leave any piece behind.  We must put every piece on as we engage in this battle.

 

B.      The Assurance (Eph. 6:13b)

 

…that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day…

 

1.      We do not want to be wounded. 

We do not want to be killed in action.

We do not want to flee in weakness and fear.

2.      We can to be able to withstand when the evil day, the day of battle, comes against us.

a.      Strong (436):  to stand against, oppose        :- resist

b.      Thayer:  to set one’s self against

c.       We want to be the David who eagerly desires to fight the giant (I Sam. 17:32).

C.     The Action (Eph. 6:13c-14a)

 

…and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore…

 

1.      No retreat, but stand.

2.      No defeat, but stand.

 

IV.             THE ARMOR (Eph. 6:14b-17)

 

A.    A Belt of Truth

 

…having your loins girt about with truth…

 

1.      Two undergarments were usually worn under one’s armor.

2.      They were often long and loose fitting.

3.      These would be gathered up and tied with a leather belt.

4.      It so doing, the soldier was poised for battle.  He would not trip over his garments.

5.      To be poised for battle, we must bring truth with us.  Without it, we will trip over the robes of “think so’s” and opinions.

 

B.      A Breastplate of righteousness                                                         

 

…and having on a breastplate or righteousness.

 

1.      Righteousness is that which is right.

2.      Righteousness is found in the commands of God (Ps. 119:72).

3.      With righteousness as our breastplate, we go to the battle principled

4.      These principles are always true and guard out hearts.

 

C.     Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

 

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

 

1.      Without shoes on in the day of battle, a soldier would not be very stable.  Rocks, thorns, and other debris could hurt his feet and cause him to lose his position in battle.

2.      Before we go to battle, we prepare.  We are ready.  We wear our shoes, our army boots, into the war.  On all surfaces and terrain, we can position ourselves against the enemy.

 

D.    A Shield of Faith

 

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

 

1.      He reminds us that we are in a battle against wickedness.

2.      The wicked are serious and hurl their spears and shoot their arrows at us constantly.

3.       Thus, we take our shield of faith.

a.      Faith trusts, not in self, but in the power of God.

b.      We can only be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

c.       As long as we trust, our hearts are protected by our shield.

 

E.      The Helmet of Salvation

 

And take the helmet of salvation…

1.      On the field of battle, all kinds of objects are flying:  rocks, knives, swords, spears, and clubs to name a few.

2.      Any of these objects could strike a soldier in the head and bring him to his knees, even to his death.

3.      A helmet preserved his head.

4.      In like manner, salvation preserves us.  We are saved.  We are redeemed.  We have hope beyond this life.  These thoughts preserve us.  They are firmly locked in our minds and Satan cannot take this helmet from us.

 

F.      The Sword of the Spirit

 

…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 

1.      An offensive weapon was also necessary in battle.  With it, one could slay his enemy.    He could cause his enemy to cease from standing.  By deleting their numbers, the army progressed.

2.      Our weapon is the powerful Word of God (Heb. 4:12).

3.      This weapon can pull down strongholds, cast down imaginations, and bring down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (II Cor. 10:4-5).  As we defeat them, we progress.

4.      Soldiers were well-trained to use their swords.  If we are well-trained with the Word of God, we can defeat any enemy.

 

NOTE:  Paul told the Ephesians to put on the “whole” armor of God.  All six pieces make us strong.  All six pieces allow us to stand against the wiles of the devil and the fiery darts of the wicked.

 

V.                THE ASSISTANCE (Eph. 6:18)

 

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

 

A.    Paul ends his discussion on the gospel armor with a call to pray.

 

B.      In prayer, one seeks the assistance of God. 

1.      We do all we can do by putting on the gospel armor in order to be strong.

2.      Then, we can also cry out to God in prayer who will assist us in the battle.

3.      NOTE:  This brings the power of the Almighty God to our aid in battle.

 

C.     He tells us that we should be watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication.

1.      Watching means that we do not need to sleep.

2.      Our prayer lives must be constant.  We must never stop praying.

a.      We may pray for ourselves.

b.      But, Paul also said that our prayers should be made for all saints.

1)      All saints are in the battle.

2)      The battle is impacting each soldier differently.

3)      Some continue to stand, but some do not.

a)      The strong need to have our prayer to continue to stand.

b)      The wounded that they will recover.

c)      The fearful and weak that they will put on their armor, take up their sword, and stand in the gap!

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    We cannot emphasize enough that we are all in a spiritual battle for our souls.

 

B.      God, through Paul’s pen, exhorts us to stand and fight.

 

C.     Notice that all of the armor and our weapon are rooted in the Word of God. 

 

D.    We close with Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 6:13-14a.

 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore…