Armor of God - Becoming battle ready against forces of evil
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‘DID YOU KNOW….
THAT THE BIBLE TELLS US AS CHRISTIANS HOW WE SHOULD DRESS?
THERE IS A PORTION OF SCRIPTURE THAT EQUIPS US TO STAND AGAINST ALL ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY
I WANT TO TALK TODAY ABOUT THE ARMOR OF GOD
BECOMING BATTLE READY AGAINST THE FORCES OF EVIL
ARE YOU READY???
GO AHEAD AND TURN IN YOUR BIBLES WITH ME TO.....
EPH. 6
……open in prAyer……
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU TODAY ABOUT SPIRITUAL WARFARE
AND HOW IT AFFECTS……YOU
SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN ITS SIMPLEST DEFINITION IS THIS....
THE FIGHT TO BELIEVE GOD’S TRUTH OVER THE ENEMY’S LIES
FOR THE BELIEVER.
SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS ALL ABOUT OVERCOMING DECEPTION
THE WAY THE ENEMY ATTACKS YOU AS A CHRISTIAN IS THROUGH DECEPTION….
HE LIES TO US AND TRIES TO GET US TO BELIEVE HIS LIES
AND ONCE WE BELIEVE THE LIES
THOSE LIES BECOME....MINDSETS AND STRONGHOLDS
AND THOSE STRONGHOLDS CAUSE YOU TO ACT AND FEEL IN CERTAIN WAYS
AND WHEN THE BELIEVER ACTS OR FEELS ACCORDING TO THOSE LIES
YOU CAN NOT ACT OR FEEL ACCORDING TO TRUTH
IT’S SPIRITUAL WARFARE....
THE FIGHT TO BELIEVE GOD’S TRUTH OVER THE ENEMY’S LIES
UNDERSTAND THIS….
THERE ARE MANY DYNAMICS TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE
AND IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT DEMONIC ATTACKS ……
AFFECT BELIEVERS AND UNBELIEVERS VERY DIFFERENTLY
WHEN A DEMONIC BEING…..ATTACKS A BELIEVER
IT’S ALL ABOUT GETTING THAT BELIEVER TO BELIEVE A LIE
AND OF COURSE THAT LIE PRODUCES DECEPTION
WHICH IN TURN PRODUCES STRONGHOLDS
WHICH PRODUCE ACTIONS AND BEHAVIOR THAT ARE CONTRARY TO HOW THAT BELIEVER SHOULD ACT OR BEHAVE
BUT…WHEN A DEMONIC ATTACK IS ON AN UNBELIEVER IT’S DIFFERENT
WE SEE THINGS LIKE POSSESSION TAKE PLACE
WHATS THE POINT???
I NEED YOU TO UNDERSTAND THIS....
WHEN YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD
IT’S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE KNOWING.....
THAT YOU ARE FIGHTING THE BATTLE FOR TRUTH IN YOUR MIND
NON BELIEVERS DON’T EVEN ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE…WHY?
BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE MOTIVE OR THE MEANS TO FIGHT BACK
THIS IS WHY WE SEE THE WORLD TRYING TO SILENCE THE NOISE WITH THINGS LIKE...
ALCOHOL
DRUGS
SEX
AND OTHER SINFUL BEHAVIOR
IT’S BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO OVERCOME SPIRITUAL BATTLES
BUT AS BELIEVERS…WE DO
OH COME ON SOMEBODY….
I SAID WE DO…..
WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED IN GOD’S WORD TO STAND AGAINST ALL ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY
LETS TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IT SAYS...
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
OK DID YOU CATCH THAT…I WANT THAT TO SINK IN.....
NO MATTER WHAT THE ENEMY PLANS AGAINST YOU....
IF WE PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD...
WE WILL HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED TO STAND AGAINST ALL OF THE STRATEGIES THAT THE ENEMY FORMS AGAINST US
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO READ WILL EQUIP YOU TO STAND IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
First……WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE IN FACT ENGAGED IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE...
DEMONS ARE REAL
THE DEVIL IS REAL
SPIRITUAL ASSAULT IS REAL
DEMONIC ATTACKS CAN HEAVILY AFFECT BELIEVERS
THIS IS REALITY
SCRIPTURE TELLS US THAT THIS IS REALITY
THE SCRIPTURE ALSO GIVES US EVERYTHING WE NEED TO COMBAT THE ENEMY
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
AS A CHRISTIAN
THERE IS NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF
WE CAN STAND STRONG AGAINST THE POWERS OF DARKNESS....
OH MY LORD….
I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU…BUT THAT ENCOURAGES ME
TO KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHAT I’M STARING IN THE FACE OF
I HAVE NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF
BECAUSE THROUGH CHRIST I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED TO CONQUER THE ENEMY
OH COME ON SOMEBODY
Ephesians 6:14–18 (NLT)
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
AGAIN THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THE PEOPLE OF ROME WOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD
THE DRESS OR BATTLE ATTIRE OF A ROMAN SOLDIER WAS SOMETHING THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH...
THE BELT OF TRUTH -
SOLDIERS GIRDED THEMSELVES WITH A BELT
FROM THIS BELT HUNG STRIPS OF LEATHER TO PROTECT THE LOWER BODY
PAUL UNDERSTOOD THAT TRUTH WAS CRUCIAL FOR THE CHRISTIAN...
A DISHONEST CHRISTIAN CAN NOT HOPE TO WITHSTAND THE FATHER OF LIES HIMSELF
THIS TRUTH IS INTEGRITY
LIVING A LIFE OF TRUTHFULNESS AND HONESTY
OH COME ON...
INTEGRITY IS....
HOW ARE YOU LIVING AS A CHRISTIAN OUTSIDE OF SUNDAY IN CHURCH?
HOW ARE YOU LIVING WHEN IT SEEMS THAT NO ONE IS WATCHING
IS IT HONEST?
IS IT TRUTHFUL?
PUTTING ON THE BELT OF TRUTH IS A MUST WHEN FACING SPIRITUAL WARFARE
THE BODY ARMOR OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS (BREASTPLATE) -
THE BREASTPLATE OF ROMAN TIMES WENT COMPLETELY AROUND THE BODY
WHICH WOULD ALSO PROTECT THE BACK OF A WARRIOR AS WELL
THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WAS NOT TALKING ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST
WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT ALL BELIEVERS POSSESS AS CHRISTIANS
BUT THIS IS TALKING ABOUT THE PRACTICAL, RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER
AND THE DEEDS OF BELIEVERS
IN OTHER WORDS...
ARE YOU LIVING RIGHTEOUSLY
ARE YOU LIVING RIGHT BEFORE THE LORD
WHAT ABOUT WHEN YOU WITH FRIENDS OR CO-WORKERS
ARE YOU LIVING IN A WAY THAT WOULD GLORIFY CHRIST
IF NOT, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS....
YOU’LL END UP DOING SOMETHING
OR ACTING IN A WAY THAT WILL OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE ENEMY TO YOUR HEART
HE IS JUST WAITING FOR OPPORTUNITY
THE BREASTPLATE PROTECTS THE HEART
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
I WANT YOU TO NOTICE SOMETHING HERE....
EVERY PIECE OF ARMOR HAS TO DO WITH EITHER....
FIGHTING TEMPTATION OR FIGHTING DECEPTION
TEMPTATION IS REALLY JUST ANOTHER FORM OF DECEPTION
EVERYTHING WE ARE GIVEN, WE ARE GIVEN TO FIGHT DECEPTION
LOOK AT IT AGAIN...
VERSE 11
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
THE WORD STRATEGY MEANS...
DECEIT, CUNNING ARTS, TRICKERY
IT’S DECEPTION...
WE ARE FIGHTING DECEPTION
WATCH THIS....
THE BELT OF TRUTH-
TRUTH IS BELIEVED IN THE MIND
THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS-
TEMPTATION - A FORM OF DECEPTION
BUT IN ORDER TO LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY...
YOU MUST BE OF THE RIGHT MINDSET
FIRST…YOU BELIEVE ACCORDING TO THE TRUTH
THEN YOU LIVE ACCORDING TO THE TRUTH
THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE-
PEACE IS SOMETHING THAT TAKES PLACE IN THE MIND
PEACE COMES WHEN YOU BELIEVE THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION
THE SHIELD OF FAITH -
THIS IS BELIEF IN THE WORD OF GOD
BELIEF IN THE PROMISES OF GOD
BELIEF IN DIVINE TRUTH OVER DEMONIC DECEPTION
THE HELMET OF SALVATION -
SALVATION ULTIMATELY COMES BY....FAITH
ALL OF THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE MIND
DEFENSE AGAINST DECEPTION AND TEMPTATION
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT -
THIS IS INTERESTING TO ME...
ALL OF THE OTHER PIECES OF ARMOR ARE DEFENSIVE
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT IS OFFENSIVE
IT’S BY ALL OF THE ARMOR THAT WE DEFEND OURSELVES AGAINST THE ENEMY IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE
NOW WATCH THIS....
IT IS ONLY BY THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT - THE WORD OF GOD
THAT WE UTTERLY DESTROY THE LIES THAT LEAD TO DECEPTION
THIS WEAPON IS NOT NECESSARILY THE BIBLE AS A WHOLE
BUT IT IS THE SPECIFIC WORD THAT NEEDS TO BE SPOKEN IN A SPECIFIC SITUATION
AND IN ORDER TO HAVE THOSE PRECISE WORDS READY TO ENGAGE.....
A PERSON MUST KNOW THE BIBLE INTIMATELY
OH MY LORD....
LISTEN TO ME CHURCH....
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT IS THE KIND OF WEAPON DESCRIBED IN 2 CORINTHIANS...
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
HAVING A BIBLE IS ONE THING
KNOWING THE BIBLE IS ANOTHER
HAVING A FIREARM IS ONE THING
KNOWING HOW TO USE A FIREARM IS ANOTHER
OH MY LORD....
THE IMPROPER USE OF SCRIPTURE IS MORE DANGEROUS TO YOU AND OTHERS THAN NOT KNOWING SCRIPTURE AT ALL
LET ME PUT IT SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND ME...
THE IMPROPER USE OF A FIREARM IS MORE DANGEROUS TO YOU AND OTHERS THAN NOT HAVING ONE AT ALL
WHATS THE POINT PASTOR CHRIS???
THE ONLY WAY TO BE EQUIPPED WITH THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT IS TO INTIMATELY KNOW THE WORD OF GOD
SO THAT…..IN DUE SEASON…THE SPECIFIC WORD NEEDED ….CAN BE USED AGAINST THE ENEMY
STUDY YOUR WORD
READ YOUR BIBLE
DIG DEEPER AND KNOW GOD ON A MORE INTIMATE LEVEL
....WORSHIP TEAM COME....
THE SHIELD AND SWORD WORK HAND IN HAND
WITH ONE....YOU DEFEND YOURSELF AGAINST THE LIES
WITH THE OTHER…YOU DESTROY THE LIES
LISTEN TO ME…THE SWORD IS KEY TO VICTORY
YOU CAN NOT JUST ALWAYS BE ON THE DEFENSIVE
YOU CAN’T JUST ALWAYS WORK TO BLOCK THE ENEMY FROM YOUR LIFE
WE HAVE TO GO AFTER THE ENEMY IN OUR LIFE
THE WAY WE DO THIS IS.....
KNOWING THE WORD OF GOD
JOHN 8:32 SAYS IT PERFECTLY...
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
THE SPIRIT IS IN THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
THERE IS FREEDOM IN WORD OF GOD
WHEN THE ENEMY ATTACKS YOU AND SAYS....
YOU ARE ALONE
YOU ANSWER WITH...
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
WHEN THE ENEMY ATTACKS AND SAY....
YOU CAN NEVER BE FORGIVEN FOR WHAT YOU’VE DONE
YOU ANSWER WITH.....
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
WHEN THE ENEMY LIES TO YOU AND BEGINS TO TELL YOU....
THAT YOUR NOT LOVED
THAT YOUR NOT GOOD ENOUGH
THAT YOU HAVE NO PURPOSE
OR YOUR LIFE HAS NO MEANING
YOU COME AT HIM WITH THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
AND FIGHT TO BELIEVE GOD’S TRUTH OVER THE ENEMY’S LIES
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—
CHURCH…WITHOUT PRAYER…
ALL THE ARMOR IN THE WORLD WOULD BE OF NO USE
THAT WORD SUPPLICATION MEANS
TO ASK OR BEG FOR SOMETHING EARNESTLY AND HUMBLY
OUR PRAYERS SHOULD BE EARNEST FOR ALL BELIEVERS
PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER
IT’S CHRISTANS EVERYWHERE THAT NEED PRAYER AT ALL TIMES
PRAYER AND THE SWORD BRING VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY IN YOUR LIFE
...........STAND TO YOUR FEET..........
FIGHT TO BELIEVE THE TRUTH OVER THE LIE OF THE ENEMY
THIS IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE CHURCH
IT’S A MENTAL BATTLE THAT IS HARD
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
THIS IS HARD SOMETIMES
AND I FEEL LIKE THE LORD IS LEADING ME THIS DIRECTION FOR NEXT WEEK....
BUT I’M TELLING YOU....
A RENEWED MIND IS THE KEY TO LIVING A CHRISTIAN LIFE
WE HAVE TO LEARN TO CONQUER OUR MINDS, OUR THOUGHTS
THE WAY WE DO THIS IS.....BY PUTTING ON THE ARMOR OF GOD
EVERY HEAD BOWED AND EYE CLOSED
MAYBE YOUR HERE AND SOME OF WHAT I SAID MAY APPLY TO YOU
MAYBE YOU HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH ATTACKS FROM THE ENEMY
MAYBE YOUR THOUGHTS HAVE BEEN WEARING YOU OUT
TEARING YOU DOWN
IF THATS YOU…I WANT YOU TO JUST RAISE YOUR HAND
....WORSHIP TEAM PLAY.....