Spiritual warfare, armour
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· 11 viewsThe armour of God refers to the resources that Christians possess for defending themselves against the attacks of the world, the flesh and the devil.
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God is the believer’s strength and shield
God is the believer’s strength and shield
7 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. 8 The Lord is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
See also Ge 15:1; Dt 33:29; Ps 3:3; Ps 7:10; Ps 119:114
Believers should be rightly clothed for battle
Believers should be rightly clothed for battle
12 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. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
See also Eph 4:22–24; Col 3:9; Col 3:12–14; 1 Pe 4:1
Believers should put on the full armour of God
Believers should put on the full armour of God
The belt of truth
The belt of truth
14 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:
The importance of sound teaching: a good understanding of God’s truth counters Satan’s deceit:
Ps 119:95; Ps 119:116; Eph 4:14–15; Col 2:8; 2 Ti 1:13–14; 1 Pe 1:13
The breastplate of righteousness
The breastplate of righteousness
14 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:
Assurance that believers are righteous in God’s sight will counter Satan’s accusations:
Pr 4:23; Pr 13:6; Is 61:10; Zec 3:1–4
The gospel of peace
The gospel of peace
15 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:
The peace of God reassures and gives confidence in times of trouble:
Jn 14:27; Jn 16:33; Php 4:6–7
The shield of faith
The shield of faith
16 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:
Exercising faith draws strength from God, guards against deception and helps overcome temptation:
Ro 1:17; Hab 2:4; 1 Pe 5:9; 1 Jn 5:4
The helmet of salvation
The helmet of salvation
17 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:
The expectation of future glory encourages the Christian soldier and helps overcome despair:
1 Th 5:8–9; Tt 2:11–14; 1 Jn 3:3
The Christian’s spiritual weapons
The Christian’s spiritual weapons
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
The sword of the Spirit
The sword of the Spirit
17 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:
The Scriptures give readiness and confidence in battle and a sure defence against the evil one:
Ps 119:11; 2 Ti 3:16–17; Heb 4:12
The armour of God is worn with prayer
The armour of God is worn with prayer
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—
Prayer ensures that believers recognise their need to turn to God and depend on him alone:
Prayer ensures that believers recognise their need to turn to God and depend on him alone:
Ps 55:16–18; Heb 4:16; Jas 5:16