The Armor of God

Our Most Effective Weapon Against Spiritual Battles!

As I introduce our passage today, please turn with me to Ephesians 6:10-20. Ephesians is located in the 4 pack of epistles after 1/2 Corinthians and before 1/2 Thessalonians.

Paul writes the book of Ephesians to the church at Ephesus in approx 60AD while in prison in Rome. A Roman port city on western coast of Asia, Ephesus sits along what is now the western coast of Turkey, along the Aegean Sea. Ancient Ephesus ruins are just Southwest of the modern town of Selcuk, Turkey.

Ephesians 6:10–20 (ESV)

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.

***Pray with me. Father, as we open Your word, allow us to see how we are to be prepared for battle in this age. Let us be open to hearing from you via the Holy Spirit here with us today. Let us be open to your words Father changing us here today. Allow this message today to rest in our hearts. Amen !!!*****

When we read this passage, we almost always go to spiritual warfare. So, what is spiritual Warfare?

John MacArthur in his book, How To Meet The Enemy,

“ A war of universal proportions pitting God and His truth against Satan and his lies. It’s a battle of wills between God and Satan. It’s a cosmic conflict that involves God and the highest creature He ever made and it filters down to every human being. Satan and his army of demons are fighting Christ, His holy angels, the nation of Israel and believers. The battle lines are clearly drawn.”

Right off the bat, V:10- we see Paul calling us to be strong.

How are we to do just that? “In the strength of His might.” Notice what is does not say? Not our own. Paul is telling us here that we do not have enough in us in order to fight what is coming on our own. We must rest in Him. 2 Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 3:16.

2 Timothy 2:1 ESV

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 3:16 ESV

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

V:11, Paul tells us to put on the “whole” armor of God. This sounds like a battlefield General giving orders to his troops. Now as an early church leader, Paul is telling church members and troops in (the church at Ephesus and specifically to us today) to put on the armor of God. More details on the “armor of God” is soon!

V:12, Wrestle-defined as “fight or incredible struggle.” Notice, not against the flesh and blood or other people. So what good can the best modern tactical gear or actual breastplate and armor do for us in this battle? On this listing of stuff we must be prepared to battle, Jameson tells us that “the real foe lurking behind them is satan himself, with whom our conflict is.”

Because we are not wrestling other humans, but the spirit of evil. To successfully wrestle with satan, we must first wrestle with God in prayer.

Luke 18:1 ESV

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

pray without ceasing,

What are these things we read about in this verse? Satan’s tools to throw us off, tempt us, and get us to fall!!

The rulers Ephesians 1:21, The authorities, The cosmic powers Ephesians 2:2, This present darkness Luke 22:53; Colossians 1:13, The spiritual forces of evil Ephesians 3:10

V:13, Therefore. “Adverb” saying consequently or forcing us to look back at what was in the previous verses or passages. Some scholars feel as though this can be backed up to Ephesians 4:27, “interpreting the “armor” not as an optional means for certain believers but the central call for all believers to continually cultivate Christ-like virtues in their new life.”

Ephesians 4:27 ESV

and give no opportunity to the devil.

V:14-15, Here Paul tells us to stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, and our shoes. Adding all of these help us be ready to do battle with even our shoes. Now why does he add shoes to this passage. What difference does a shoe make.

Paul looks back on Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15 where how beautiful are the feet that bring the “Good News.” (Of Jesus Christ) Shoes help to protect our feet. How can we carry the “Good News” to people if our feet are bad?

Football players, well linemen mainly, how would they fair in the trenches of a game with flip flops, crocs, or Birkenstocks and not cleats? How well would combatants do at war without some sort of boots or shoes on?

tools for battle as mentioned above.

Belt of Truth - What is a belt to do? It helps hold up our clothing, keeps it tight to our body so it is easier to move in a fast and agile manner during battle. Isaiah 11:5 tells us that this belt is of righteousness. Luke 12:35, tells us that we should remain dressed for action.

Truth - points to the Truth of the Gospel of Christ. So if we are always dressed, and prepared for battle, we are ready to present the Gospel of Truth to anyone, anytime.

Breastplate of Righteousness Isaiah 59:17; Isaiah 61:10; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:8 all talk of the righteousness of the breastplate.

Shoes for your feet - See above.

Notice in V:16, Paul tells us in starting off with “in all circumstances.”

This doesn’t mean that we leave our ‘go bag” on the hook behind the door, but always ready at all time.

Shield of Faith - What more do we need to say, that what John writes for us in 1 John 5:4.

1 John 5:4 ESV

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

What is it that this shield of faith doing? It extinguishes the flaming darts of the evil one, satan. These flaming arrows were made with the coal of broom trees. Psalm 120:4. Was a shade tree with dense trunks and plenty of leaves with a wide width. Great for shade and wood used for arrows and other weapons. Most scholars believe that this is an actual shield, protecting us from arrows of the enemy. Again, though, in the spiritual realm what good will an actual shield do? But, one commentator noted that this is the shield of ‘Faith” in God that we read about in Ephesians 2:8 and 4:13.

V:17, here we see Paul leaning back into the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 59:17 “He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.” and

Isaiah 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Helmet of Salvation- With this leaning back into Isaiah, Paul is showing the messianic helmet used by Jesus Christ to accomplish His judgement on His enemies,

in saving His people, Ephesians 2:5; 2:8,

He becomes the the strength of salvation in the Gospel, Ephesians 1:13.

Ephesians 1:13 ESV

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Sword of the Spirit - a defensive or offensive weapon.

Can be thought of as the Word of God.

As we see in Revelation- 1:16; 2:12; 19:15 it is a literal sword exuding from the mouth of God himself.

One commentator writes: “still today, it is His word. He still uses it to cut through peoples defenses, to convict their consciences and bring them out of a spiritual stooper.” Cutting away the rough brush to get to the heart and do the convicting of a person to help pull them away from sinful temptation.

V:18, Prayer- a couple quick definitions

John Bunyan, Puritan preacher, author of The Pilgrim's Progress, Bedford Prison 1662. -“Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to the Word of God, for the good of the (church), with submission in faith to the will of God.”

Ronnie Floyd- “prayer is the vehicle that takes you into the privilege of experiencing fellowship with God.”

Dr. Donald Whitney- “prayer is talking with God!”

Paul here in V:18 is telling us that we need to be praying at all times and seasons, with the chief aim to build up and strengthen our “Godly Armor” in order to fight the enemy all around us.

Regarding the 6 pieces of God’s armor for us, we must not leave anything out, as to aid in our battles, the armor must be on all sides at all times. Just as God is everywhere at all times!!

Yet it is our responsibility to take all of these up, put them on and use it confidently against the powers of evil.

“The reason this “divine arm” is needed is the spiritual nature of the Christian’s foe which requires the Lord’s own armor.”

How to apply today

What should we watch for in our lives, churches, families, ministries?

Not in any order of precedence, just how they came to mind.

Small Sinfulness.  If satan can deceive and lead us into hide like Adam and Eve did (Gen. 3:8), thats a touchdown for him. Sin harms our relationship with God, blocks our prayer, and robs us of joy.  “The enemy delights in the sinful secrets of our lives.” Lawless

Giving up. Why keep following a God who’s letting these bad things happen to you or family? You hear or feel the need to just give up? Job, in example, heard similar words from his own grieving wife when their world fell apart (Job 2:9), but still he worshiped God (Job 1:20, 2:10).

Pridefulness. At the core of the rest of these problems above (Prov. 16:18). We make ourselves our own God, set our own rules, and walk our own path. Then, we also think we can handle spiritual battles on our own or without helps. All of these are nothing less than idolatry of the self. 

Quietness. God has given us the plan to reach our neighbors and the nations: believers are to tell the gospel and make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20, Rom. 10:9-17).  If we never get around to proclaiming the good news, a lost world remains in the enemy’s kingdom.

Relational Splits. This strategy is hardly new. The enemy enticed Adam to turn on Eve in the Garden of Eden (blaming her for their sin in Gen. 3:12), and he then turned brother against brother in Genesis 4:1-16. It’s no wonder Jesus prayed so many times that His followers would be one (John 17).

None of are in and of themselves. Typically they will come together and work slowly on us with more than one at a time.

Clarity on what we are up against!!!

Roadcup tells us that, “clarity about our enemy. He is powerful but not omnipotent. He is in many places but not omnipresent. He is smart but not omniscient. We know he is invisible. His domain is the earth. He is organized. He is cunning. He is focused. Satan is absolutely ruthless and hates the church and those who lead it. He will stop at nothing to do his work of destruction.”

Our first point after reading or studying this passage, or even recognizing we are in a spiritual battle should be to pray!!!

Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6

Then through faith in Jesus, we can see how to use this passage of Scripture to guide us in battling the foe, satan.

Baugh tells us, “The overwhelming, divine strength made available to the church flows directly out of the exaltation of Christ to supremacy over every competing realm and power that can be named both in this age and in the next.” “This is a particularly powerful message for those whose lives had been shackled by fear of unseen spiritual forces.”

David Jeremiah: “When spiritual battles mount, Scripture is our first line of defense. It contains the mind of Christ between two covers. By standing on the truth of who God is and who we are in Christ, we can resist the enemy’s attacks.”

Jesus dwelling in our hearts, Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:27, that’s what we need to help us understand this passage in a True way. Also to be in the best position we can to fight our spiritual battles!!!

Ephesians 3:17 ESV

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

He (Jesus) via the Holy Spirit helps us fight the spiritual battles we face every day.

2 Timothy 2:1; 1 John 2:14

2 Timothy 2:1 ESV

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

1 John 2:14 (ESV)

I write to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

because you are strong,

and the word of God abides in you,

and you have overcome the evil one.

Because, just like V:10-12 of our passage today tells us, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. We can only use the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ to beat satan when he brings these attacks.

The reason divine armor is needed is the spiritual nature of the Christian’s foe which requires the Lord’s own armor. 1 Peter 4:1; James 4:7

James 4:7 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 4:1 ESV

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

Closing Prayer: Read Ephesians 3:14-21

Ephesians 3:14–21 ESV

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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