The Whole Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10–18 (NKJV)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

“take up” or “put on” = there is something we have to do.

We can’t just walk through life without thinking

Secret Service protecting the President

“Whole Armor” = Complete Christians will overcome Evil

We should strive to be wholistic in our spiritual discipline

Going to the gym and working out only your legs

“wiles-NKJ” “Schemes-NASB” “Strategies-NLT” = Strategic plan of action

This means the enemy has a strategy, He has a strategy for your family, mind, marriage, emotions.

Strategy must be met with strategy

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

“do not wrestle against flesh and blood” = We wrestle. There is a battle. There is a fight

In a fight, there will be wins and losses.

2 Timothy 2:3–4 (NKJV)

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

we will lose battles but we will win the war

In the game of chess there are sacrifices (or losses) that must happen.

“Be sober, be vigilant” = Dont let yourself be distracted

Against what?

Principalities = the word in the Greek simply means “ruler” or “Magistrate” this can be applies to natural rulers. However in this context it is a spiritual ruler. It seems that these were some type of ruler that God created to rule in this world (Col 1:16). However, they have been corrupted by the fall of Satan (Col 2:15).

Powers = Authority or abilities in the world. Powers are referred to in different ways in the NT. Like the Egyptian Magicians, demonic powers do exist. This is why you should be careful being impressed by miracles.

Rulers of Darkness

Spiritual Hosts of Wickedness

It could be that these are referring all of the same things.

It is difficult to try to categorize the forces of darkness. It is in chaos. Why would we believe that the kingdom of satan would be in order?