Preparation for Battle

Falklands Illustration

Hey everyone, I want to take you back to a moment in history—1982, during a short but intense war between Britain and Argentina over a small group of islands in the South Atlantic called the Falkland Islands.

Now, on paper, it looked like Argentina might have the upper hand. They were closer to the islands, they had more troops on the ground early, and they were fired up with national pride. But when Britain responded, something shifted. It wasn’t just numbers or motivation—it was preparation and gear.

The British forces showed up with top-level training, advanced radar systems, long-range missiles, and high-tech communication equipment. Their soldiers had been through serious preparation and were equipped with gear that worked in the harsh, cold, and wet climate of the Falklands. On the other hand, many of the Argentine soldiers were poorly outfitted, with gear not fit for the freezing weather and without proper supplies.

Even though the battle was fierce, Britain’s superior equipment and preparation gave them a huge advantage. And in just over two months, the war was over.

🔁 Connection to Ephesians 6

Why am I telling you this?

Because life—especially the Christian life—is a battle. But not one with bombs and soldiers. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that it’s a spiritual war—a battle for your heart, your mind, your identity, and your purpose.

And just like in the Falklands, the side with better preparation and gear has a huge advantage.

God doesn't send you into this battle empty-handed. He gives you the Armor of God—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, His Word, and the power of prayer. But here’s the thing: you have to put it on. It's not automatic. Just like those British soldiers had to actually wear and use their gear to survive the freezing battlefield, we need to wear God’s armor daily if we want to stand firm in a world full of spiritual battles.

Last week, we talked about leaving our old lives behind, but now it’s time to look forward. So, let’s dive in and see how God equips us for victory, starting in Ephesians 6:10…

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. 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. (Ephesians 6:10-12 – NLT)

Think about what Paul was saying here. He wasn't talking about fighting other people. He was talking about something bigger—the spiritual battles we face every day. You know those moments when you're trying to do the right thing, but everything seems to be working against you? Or when you want to stand up for what's right, but it feels like the whole world is pushing you the other way? That's exactly what Paul was talking about.

The believers in Ephesus understood this feeling better than most. They faced real dangers in their daily lives. Christians were being put to death, arrested, beaten, kicked out of families, and denied opportunities to work or do business. Following God came with a serious cost. But Paul was driving home an important point here, saying there is an even bigger battle happening than most people are aware of.

So what’s the solution? How do we stand strong when we face these kinds of battles? Paul tells us:

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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. (Ephesians 6:13 – NLT)

Paul painted a clear picture using the armor of a Roman soldier—something his readers saw every single day. Roman soldiers were everywhere, and their armor wasn't just for looks—it was designed for survival.

Every piece had a purpose, protecting them from attacks and giving them what they needed to keep fighting. Some of the gear Paul mentioned might not sound like armor to us today, but back then, it was the difference between life and death. In the same way, the spiritual armor of God isn't just a suggestion; it's what we need to stand strong in the battles we face.

Thankfully, Paul didn't just tell us to “put on armor.” He also broke down exactly what that looked like. In the same way a soldier wouldn't step onto a battlefield without the right gear, we can't expect to stand strong in our faith without the protection God provides. And trust me… every single piece matters.

Let’s take a look at the armor God gives us for the battles we face…

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14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 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. (Ephesians 6:14-18 – NLT)

The armor Paul described isn't just a cool metaphor—it's essential gear for a real battle. He's telling us that if we try to stand firm in our faith without these things, we'll be like a soldier running onto the battlefield in gym shorts and flip flops. Not exactly a winning strategy.

Each piece of armor represents something essential: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the power of God’s Word. And did you notice how the only offensive weapon in this list is the sword? That’s because we’re not just meant to survive, but we’re meant to push forward, standing strong and ready for whatever comes our way.

INSIGHTS (What might this Scripture mean?)

To help us better understand what Paul wanted us to know, there are a few key truths we need to understand.

The first is…

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The battle is real.

When Paul talked about spiritual warfare, he wasn't being dramatic. He wasn't saying if you face a battle, but when. It's like getting a notification on your phone or computer saying your battery is about to die, and you don't have your charger. You don't sit there wondering if it's going to die. You know it's going to unless you find a charger. Paul was saying the same thing about spiritual challenges: They're heading our way, and we need to be prepared.

If we take a quick look back at verse 12, we’ll see that Paul is super-clear that our real battle isn't against people or circumstances—it's spiritual…

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. (Ephesians 6:12 – NLT)

Think about how this would have hit home for the Ephesians. They faced real physical persecution every single day. They were being arrested, rejected by family, and denied work because of their faith. But Paul was saying, "The real enemy isn't what you think it is." It wasn't the Roman soldiers, and it wasn't their family disowning them. There was something deeper. There were spiritual forces working behind the scenes, trying to stop God's work in their lives.

Think of it like swimming in the ocean. The waves on the surface are obvious, but it’s the hidden current beneath that can silently pull you off course. Paul was warning us about those unseen currents, the spiritual struggles that can quietly take us down if we're only focused on what we can see.

The same is true for us today. You could be dealing with pressure to fit in, feeling alone for standing up for what's right, or struggling to make good choices when everyone around you seems to be doing the opposite. Those are the waves on the surface. But Paul was saying there's something deeper going on—spiritual forces trying to pull you away from God.

But here's the key: Paul wasn't trying to scare us. He was telling us this so we would be ready. Just like a coach shows you game footage before the big match, Paul was writing to open our eyes to the real battle we face so we can be equipped to stand firm.

The second big idea I want to make sure we understand is…

And just like you wouldn’t wear your shoes on your head or your helmet on your feet, each piece of God’s armor has its perfect place and purpose. And when we know how to wear it, we’ll find that…

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Victory is guaranteed.

You know when someone tries to comfort you by saying, "It's going to be okay" or "Don't worry, it'll all work out," and you're sitting there thinking, "Do you really know that?" It's not always the most reassuring thing, right? Their words can feel hollow because they can't really guarantee anything. But what Paul said here is different. This isn't a maybekind of hope. It's a know-for-sure kind of victory.

Let’s look at verse 13 again. Paul said…

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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. (Ephesians 6:13 – NLT)

He didn't say, "Hopefully, you'll win!" He said, "You will be standing." Why? Because Jesus has already fought and won. Through His death and resurrection, the outcome has already been decided.

So, if we want to be part of that victory, let’s make sure we understand the armor that’s available to us:

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· The Belt of Truth is like your core foundation – it holds everything else together. Without it, we easily get tangled in lies about ourselves, others, and God.

· The Breastplate of Righteousnessprotects your heart – it's not about being perfect, but about living with integrity and making choices that honor God.

· The Shoes of Peace give you solid footing to stand firm and the ability to move forward, even on rough terrain.

· The Shield of Faith blocks attacks that would otherwise pierce right through us – our trust in God's promises protects us when doubts, fears, and temptations come flying at us.

· The Helmet of Salvation guards your mind, reminding you of who you are in Christ and protecting you from thoughts that would shake your identity.

· The Sword of the Spirit (God's Word) is your only offensive weapon. It doesn't just defend; it pushes back against darkness.

If we’re protected by all of this, then it’s no wonder why Paul said that we can “stand firm,” right? Our job isn’t to win the war—it’s to stand in the victory God has already won.

ACTION (How could we live this out?)

Here’s more good news: You’re not standing alone. The Holy Spirit gives you the power to stay strong. With that in mind, let’s talk about how to actually put on this armor and prepare for victory.

Here are two specific ways to level upthis week:

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1. Check your gear.

Jimmy Chin wouldn't have climbed Everest without checking his equipment, and in the same way, we need to check our spiritual gear. This week, I want you to try a simple "Armor Check" exercise by taking just a few minutes, maybe right after you wake up or before bed one night this week, to honestly reflect on these questions:

The armor of God consists of several key pieces:

Belt of Truth:. Represents living a life of truth and integrity, being honest and faithful to God. 

Breastplate of Righteousness:. Symbolizes living a life that is pleasing to God and avoiding sin. 

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace:. Represents being ready to share the good news of Jesus Christ and spreading peace. 

Shield of Faith:. Represents faith in God, which shields Christians from the attacks of the enemy. 

Helmet of Salvation:. Symbolizes the protection of salvation in Christ, which keeps the mind focused on God's grace. 

Sword of the Spirit (Word of God):. Represents the Bible, which is the Word of God and a powerful weapon to fight against evil. 

Then, pick the one area where you feel like you need to do some work and make it your focus this week. And remember, Jimmy didn’t attack Everest on his own, so don’t try to fight this fight alone either. Ask someone—a parent, small group leader, or a like-minded friend—to help you as you ask yourself these tough questions.

Now, it’s not enough to just know the armor of God exists. So, to prepare for victory, we need to…

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2. Train daily.

If you want to run a marathon, you don’t start by just running a marathon. Even the best athletes will tell you to start small—maybe just walking for 10 minutes a day… then 15… then 20… before you know it, you’ll be running further than you ever thought you could.

The same is true with spiritual strength. We don't have to master everything at once. Instead, let's start with three small steps we can take every day this week:

Start Your Day Right: Before you even get out of bed (or at least before you check your phone), take 30 seconds to pray. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just something like, "God, I know there will be battles today. Help me stand strong." Simple as that.

Check In Throughout the Day: You know those moments when it feels like you’re just destined for failure? When the drama starts? Or when you're about to snap at someone? Use those as your reminder moments. Take a breath and say a quick prayer. It might just be "Help!" but God can work with that!

End Strong: Then, before you go to sleep, take another 30 seconds. What went well today? Where did you struggle? No beating yourself up—just be honest with God about both. Thank Him for the wins and ask for help with the difficult stuff.

These might seem like tiny steps, but tiny steps in the right direction are better than big plans we never start. In the book of Philippians, Paul gave some more perspective and motivation when he said…

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14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14 – NLT)

Even when we stumble... even when we forget… even when we get distracted, press on. Keep going! The race isn’t over. The victory is already won, and trust me, we’ll get there, but for now, we press on, one step at a time.

Before we head to small groups, I want to pray that God would help each of us prepare for victory this week by putting on His armor and standing together.

Let’s pray.