Dress for War

I. Introduction

Continuing in our mini series called ‘Prep for Action’ in which we are exploring what it means to fulfill the Great Commission given by Jesus to His disciples.

Today we want to look at the apostle Paul’s teaching on how believers must prepare themselves to fight spiritual warfare from the epistle of Ephesians 6:11-20.

II. Be Strong in the Lord! (v. 10)

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

BDAG definition: strong - to become able to function or do something, become strong; usually of inner or moral strength

Ephesians 3:16 ESV

16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Philippians 4:13 ESV

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

III. Wear the whole suit of armor from God (v. 11a)

Ephesians 6:11 ESV

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Louw/Nida definition: whole armor - a complete set of instruments used in defensive or offensive warfare (usually, however, with emphasis upon defensive armament, including helmet, shield, breastplate)–‘weapons and armor.’

IV. Know our enemy (v. 11b-12)

Ephesians 6:11–12 ESV

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

A. The devil has a rule and he schemes!

Matthew 12:26 ESV

26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Ephesians 2:2 ESV

2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

B. He and those under his control are the real enemy.

An example of the devil’s scheming is in Rev. 12:1-5.

Revelation 12:1–5 ESV

1 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne,

V. Stand with the Whole Armor of God (v. 13-20)

Ephesians 6:13–14 ESV

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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

BDAG Definition: stand – stand firm so as to remain stable, stand firm, hold one’s ground

1. Belt of Truth

BDAG Definition: truth – the content of what is true; especially of the content of Christianity

2. Breastplate of Righteousness

BDAG definition: righteousness - the quality or characteristic of upright behavior

Ephesians 6:15 ESV

15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

3. Shoes of Readiness given by the Gospel of Peace

Ephesians 6:16 ESV

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

Louw/Nida Definition: readiness - state of being ready for action, ‘in readiness (to proclaim) the good news of peace.’

4. Shield of Faith to extinguish flaming darts

BDAG Definition: faith - state of believing on the basis of the reliability of the one trusted, trust, confidence, faith in the active sense=‘believing’; in our lit. directed toward God and Christ, their revelations, teachings, promises, their power and readiness to aid.

Ephesians 6:17 ESV

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

5. Helmet of Salvation

BDAG Definition: salvation - pertaining to salvation, saving, delivering, preserving, bringing salvation; in our literature of Messianic salvation and the one who mediates it.

6. Sword of the Spirit–the Word of God

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Ephesians 6:18–20 ESV

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

7. Prayer in the Spirit–with all prayer and supplication

1. to that end stay alert with all perseverance.

2. continue to make supplication for all saints including the apostle Paul.