Wearing Your Armor
Wearing Your Armor
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
I’ve got to dress appropriately for the battle.
1 John 4:4 (NASB95) You are from God, little children, and … greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.
To “put on the full armor of God” means to take the revealed truths of scripture and apply them onto my life.
It is God’s armor. Not mine.
These are privileges that have been accomplished for me.
Ephesians 1:3 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV) His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
But I must put them on! Make each a part of who I am.
The “armor” I wear:
1. “Belt of truth” means to take the truth and apply it to my life personally.
2. “Breastplate of righteousness” means my heart never needs to condemn me. I am covered in Christ’s righteousness.
Philippians 3:8-9 (NIV) …I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (HCSB) 26Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29so that no one can boast in His presence. 30But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.
3. “Readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” means there is an assurance, a sure-footedness about me.
Romans 5:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
2 Corinthians 4:11, 16-17 (ESV) For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh… So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison...
4. “Shield of faith” is not something I use constantly but I use it in critical times.
1 Peter 4:12 (NIV) Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
The “shield of faith” keeps me secure in times of need.
5. “Helmet of salvation” means I am assured that God will see me through; I will be delivered completely, ultimately, and finally.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV) …and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
Romans 13:11-12 (NIV) …our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here…
6. “Sword of the Spirit” means I get into the word of God, and I let it soak in and start using it and applying it.
Growing Deeper Together - Small Group Questions
Use these points throughout the week as part of your quiet time, in your small group, or over coffee with a friend to help you apply what you learned in today’s message.
Reread Ephesians 6:10-18. Of all the parts of armor that God provides, which are defensive weapons? Which are offensive weapons? If you had to compare your spiritual armor to this list, where are you strong? Weak? What do you need to do to prepare for battle? What is at stake if you don’t?
What evidence do you see of the battle in your life? Your church? Your community? Your nation? The world? What would it mean for you “to stand” in these particular battlefields?
Shane talked about how we were born into a battle, but we were ‘born again’ to win that battle. What attitude should we have as we face these spiritual forces? Where does prayer fit into this spiritual battle?
Are you fighting this battle on your own? Do you have the equipment and weapons you need to fight it well? Start by talking with the one who can equip you for the fight. Tell him that you’re ready to stop trying to fight on your own and that you need him to walk with you through the battles in your life. Ask him to take control of your life and put your trust in him to welcome you into his family as his child. Come to the Prayer Lounge, find a pastor, host, or volunteer on the patio, and let us pray with you. We’d love to come alongside you as you discover life with Jesus!