Arm Yourselves

Introduction

One of the prison epistles of Paul. A letter sent by a man that will die a few years later. A message to a christians whose issue is not knowledge but practice.

Text

Eph 6:10-18 “Finally, be strong [passive imp. verb meaning to be strengthened] in the Lord and in the strength [kratos=existing strength], of His might [ischus=potential strength]. Put on the full armor [the full armour because everything is collective] of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes [methodeia]of the devil. {The devil has his forces Mt 25:41 “his angels” Mt 12:26 “his kingdom” 2 Cor 11:15 “his ministers”.

For our struggle [wrestling match] 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 [lift it up and carry it] the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist [set yourself against something] in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm [stay right there].

The spiritual world and the spirit man

Eph 2:1-2 “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.”

Notice “the spirit” is “working in” - compare this to the following:

Eph 3:14-16 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,”

Notice where God’s spirit will be located; “in the inner man”

Eph 4:17-23 “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. [NOTICE THE contrast] But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,”

What the devil wants to do is affect the spirit of your mind/the inner man with is methods Eph 6:11

That’s why Paul commands that we “put on the whole armour of God”

Notice: The whole armour points back to God and His word. It’s really an encouragement to place my trust in the right place in the fight against the evil one.

Rom 8:5-7 “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,”

Notice the connection between the mind and the spirit

It will guard your spirit!

The devil IS NOT all knowing that’s why uses different methods

Jesus: directly, disciples

Job: material loss, family loss, health loss

He also uses what’s already there; in your spirit - He knew Judas loved money

He tries different ‘methods’ with different people

You know what’s in you 1 Cor 2:11

The inner man/spirit man is where the struggle is that’s the reason Paul wants the armour to be on

Every part of this armour points back to God. All urge to trust God with your spirit.

Every part of the the armour points to the word of God

14-18

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 [this goes back to vs. 13 “the evil day] 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 saints”

The devil has been doing this thing for a long time

In fact, he was at the building early this morning and he wants to see if we all put on the “whole armour”

Have you armed up?