The Whole Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Humans are the crowning jewel of all creation. We are created in God’s image, and we have the most complex brains of anything that has been created. We are set apart by God in all of creation as His greatest creation.

However, we are notoriously vulnerable. Most animals have fur, horns, body armor, stink glands, spikes, four legs, or a keen sense of smell.

As a result, we must use our brains to build items for ourselves that make us less vulnerable.

This includes homes, fires, shelter, etc. - BUT, it also includes armor and weapons.

I am not saying that the human body is not remarkable or tough, I am just saying that relative to a lion or even an armadillo, we don’t have a whole lot to protect ourselves naturally.

To effectively engage in warfare, we must have something to protect us.

Our vulnerability is more than just physical. It is spiritual as well. Adam and Eve covered themselves in leaves, because they realized for the first time that they were physically vulnerable. But, the reality of the fig leaves actually speaks more to the spiritual vulnerability of Adam and Eve.

God knows this reality. And just as he fashioned furs for Adam and Eve, He in his perfect wisdom fashioned spiritual means of protection for you and for me.

CIT: God equips his saints with armor and weapons to fight against the evil one.

Explanation

Ephesians 6:10-13 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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.”

The WHOLE armor of God.

If you were going into battle, you could choose not to wear a helmet or shoes, but it would be rather foolish to do so.

In baseball, coaches will often tell the batter to hit the ball in the gap.

In war, an enemy sizes up not what you have but what you do not have.

If you go into battle ONLY without a helmet, even the most inexperienced soldier is coming for your head.

If you go into battle without a breastplate, even the most foolish warrior is going for your heart.

In the same way, the WHOLE armor of God is important to a Christian, because anything less leaves us exposed and vulnerable.

The fight is against an enemy you CANNOT defeat on your own.

Satan would eat you for lunch. Peter says as much.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

You are physical match for a lion, and you are no spiritual match for Satan.

You are fighting against: rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers over this present darkness AND spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

It is only arrogance that seeks to fight against the domain of darkness in your own strength.

We need God’s power.

Only by God’s power, God’s means, and God’s grace can you withstand the evil of the day in which you live.

You have no chance on your own. Only what God gives you can help you.

God’s power is greater than your power.

God’s means have been given to strengthen us spiritually.

God’s grace forgives us when we fall.

Because we live in God’s power, we do not put on the armor to fight alone. We fight in the presence of God.

William Gurnall (Puritan Pastor, The Christian in Complete Armor) said, “We must confide not in the armour of God, but in the God of this armour, because all our weapons are only mighty through God.”

Ephesians 6:14-18 “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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,”

There are many angles to this text. We could get into the details of each of these articles, what they did, what they mean, etc. I don’t have time for that this morning. However, Warren Wiersbe points out something important. Every instrument of war that is given counteracts a known characteristic/quality of satan. That is what I want to highlight.

The Belt of Truth

The belt, or girdle, held the soldier’s tunic in place. The belt was also where the scabbard for his sword was suspended. Truth holds all things together.

Satan is a liar, but the Christian knows the truth will not be deceived. The Truth is Jesus Christ, Himself.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

The breastplate guards the heart, internal organs, shoulders, back, and spine from a lethal blow.

Satan is an accuser, but a believer who walks in the light and in righteousness will not give Satan the opportunity to attack.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

The gospel is good news, but in the Roman world, it brings to mind the image of a legion runner sprinting to an authority to tell them that there was victory in a battle.

In the same way, the message that we bring with out feet is one of peace and victory.

It brings life, not death.

Satan is a divider and destroyer, yet the feet that bring the gospel unite and heal.

Shield of Faith

A shield fends back the blows of an enemy that is within close quarters. Most often it blocks a sword, a mace, a spear, or a war hammer.

Satan is the source of unbelief and doubt. Faith blocks the blows of doubt, unbelief, and confusion.

Helmet of Salvation

Wiersbe believed that the salvation spoken of here is that of the ultimate salvation that occurs when Christ returns.

Lift up your head. Look to the skies. It is covered by the Christ who has come, is currently present, and will come again.

Sword of the Spirit, the word of God and prayer

The sword was the weapon of choice for the Roman legionnaire.

The sword and prayer are the only instruments of offence in this text.

Is that it? No food. No actual weapon. We are supposed to conquer the world with this?

More good has been done by men and women who believed that God heard them, and He had spoken through the Holy Scriptures than any other group throughout human history.

Ephesians 6:18-20 “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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Keep alert with perseverance

War language.

“Watch the gate.”

“Stay awake.”

Too many people let Satan get through their defenses.

Make supplication

Pray for yourself and others.

You get a hint of what supplication is from the first five letters of the word. Supply. “Lord, will you supply our needs.

These final commands give us the balance of the text. In the same breath, Paul says, “keep alert” and “God will supply your needs.”

Invitation

Every article of war is given by Christ himself. Bought by Him on the cross.

What have you failed to put on yourself?

Rely upon God and stay alert.

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