Spiritual warfare, armour (4)

God is the believer’s strength and shield

Psalm 28:7–8 NKJV

The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. The Lord is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.

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Believers should be rightly clothed for battle

Romans 13:12–14 NKJV

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

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Believers should put on the full armour of God

The belt of truth

Ephesians 6:14 NKJV

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

The importance of sound teaching: a good understanding of God’s truth counters Satan’s deceit:

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The breastplate of righteousness

Ephesians 6:14 NKJV

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Assurance that believers are righteous in God’s sight will counter Satan’s accusations:

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The gospel of peace

Ephesians 6:15 NKJV

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

The peace of God reassures and gives confidence in times of trouble:

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The shield of faith

Ephesians 6:16 NKJV

above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Exercising faith draws strength from God, guards against deception and helps overcome temptation:

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The helmet of salvation

Ephesians 6:17 NKJV

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

The expectation of future glory encourages the Christian soldier and helps overcome despair:

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The Christian’s spiritual weapons

2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

The sword of the Spirit

Ephesians 6:17 NKJV

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

The Scriptures give readiness and confidence in battle and a sure defence against the evil one:

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The armour of God is worn with prayer

Ephesians 6:18 NKJV

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Prayer ensures that believers recognise their need to turn to God and depend on him alone:

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