Know Your Armor

Introduction

Last week we learned that spiritual warfare is a reality for every believer. Satan is not a myth, not a symbol, or an imaginary force. He is a real adversary who actively opposes God’s people and seeks to deceive, tempt, discourage, and distract believers from faithful living. Jesus warned, the apostles warned that the battle is not against flesh and blood but the battle is against the spiritual forces of darkness (Eph6:11-12).

Knowing our enemy is important, but awareness alone is not enough. A solider who understands his enemy is good, but without his armor he is still vulnerable. The good news is God has not left His people defenseless. He has given us His armor so we are fully equipped (Eph6:13-18) so we can live in victory and confidence in Christ.

Last week we learned who we are fighting. This week we learn how God has equipped us to stand!

If you were to enter into a battle and could only bring one piece of equipment, for a physical battle what would you bring? OK, what about a spiritual battle? And why?

Illustration: A Marine, or a soldier may own, be trained with protective gear, but it provides no benefit hanging in locker. Protection only works when it is worn. Likewise, God’s armor must be INTENTIONALLY put on daily.

God’s Armor Provided

May we start with reading Eph6:11-18.

Ephesians 6:11–18 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,”

Let’s slow down just for a couple of minutes. I want us to notice something before we get to the armor. Notice how often Paul uses the word stand.

Why do you think that word is used? What is Paul trying to convey to them, and to us?

You may have, probably have looked at the armor of God many times before, and this maybe a refresher to you, so good, be refreshed, to others maybe new, so lets look at GOD’S armor. First off, it is not yours, you did not fashion it, GOD DID. God provided it. Your part is to put it on, just as you put on Christ, you put on God’s armor. You come to know what it is and you put it on daily.

The emphasis is not on defeating Satan through our own strength. The emphasis is standing firm in what Christ has already accomplished. The armor is not ultimately self-confidence, positive thinking, nor human determination; it is God’s truth, God’s righteousness, God’s gospel, God’s salvation and God’s Word. In other words it is God’s armor, it is Christ Himself who dwells in us (Rom13:14)

Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”

The armor belongs to God because the armor reflects God’s character.

Maybe something else you may not know, Paul in this is drawing from the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah, something the Jews would have been very familiar with.

Isaiah 59:17 “He put on righteousness like a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.”

Who wears the armor first? - - - - God does! Let that sink in. This armor isn’t something God made and just hands to us, this is His armor, He wears, and we are taking refuge in God’s own provision and strength for spiritual battles that are the Lords. Makes me think of Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”

Belt of Truth - Ground yourself in God’s Word

Let me ask you what is truth? And how do you know it is true? (Ps119:160)

Psalm 119:160 “The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.”

Why is truth foundational to the rest of the armor?

Breastplate of Righteousness - Walk in obedience

What does it mean, what does it look like to walk in obedience?

Reject condemnation and pursue holy living. (1Pt1:16)

1 Peter 1:16 “because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””

Shoes of gospel of peace - Stand firm in the gospel

So, what is the gospel? You need to know it to stand firm in it.

Stand firmly in the gospel (1Cor15:1-4). Remain stable during conflict.

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”

Shield of faith- Trusting God’s promises

I know it may be a basic question, but what is faith (Heb11:1)?

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

How does faith act as a shield?

We need faith to trust God’s promises when doubt’s arise

Helmet of Salvation - Assurance of your salvation

Can you know you are saved? (1Jn5:13)

1 John 5:13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Protect your mind with the assurance of salvation, so you can walk in it.

God does not want any question mark Christians!

Sword of the Spirit - using the word proactively

How can you use the word proactively, what does that mean?

We need to use it against Satan’s schemes, against temptations, against weaknesses.

What comes after the armor itself? Prayer is not another piece of the armor

It is the the connection piece in which the armor functions where truth is strengthened. Where faith is strengthen, where obedience is strengthened, where assurance of your salvation is strengthened and your understanding of scripture is all strengthened through prayer.

Prayer - the connection piece

Why do you think that prayer is essential for spiritual warfare?

A soldier may possess armor, but without communication with his commander he is in danger.

Prayer holds, connects ever piece of the armor together. (Eph6:18)

And that made me think of:

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” - - - - - we turn to Him in prayer to have the way of escape. . . .

Application

All of this is applicable when you understand what God has given you. All of this is practical too. So, now before we wrap this up, let’s get personal for application today.

Memorize a verse to use against a current struggle you are facing. If you want, ask someone to come along side you for we are better together.

Begin each day praying through the armor.

Ask God to reveal any weak areas in your spiritual protection.

“God never sends HIs people into battle unprepared.”

(Conclusion) Satan’s greatest victories often occur not because Christians lack the armor, but because they fail to put it on. Tomorrow morning every one of us will enter a battlefield. The question is whether we will enter it clothed in our own strength or clothed in Christ.

Think about this as we pray and close. “Which piece of God’s armor do you need most right now, and what will you do this week to intentionally put it on?”