EPHESIANS 6:10-20 “THE ARMOUR OF GOD”
CONTEXT: OUR WARFARE IN CHRIST: Previously we looked at our WEALTH in Christ (Ephesians 1-3) and our WALK with Christ (Ephesians 4-6). Once we get saved by Jesus and start living a life pleasing to Him and living out our calling for Him, don’t be surprised if the enemy starts trying to oppose us and spiritually attack us!! This passage will look at how we can defend/ protect ourselves against the schemes and attacks of the enemy!!
Read Ephesians 6:10-24
CONTEXT: Remember what happened in Ephesus in Acts 19:13-20. Ephesus was known for its SORCERY!! Paul was also writing this epistle from prison. Imagine the scenario of Paul being guarded by Roman soldiers who were wearing their armour while on duty. The Lord was able to use Paul’s imprisonment and the very armour the soldiers were wearing as they guarded him, to be a spiritual analogy for the spiritual armour we would need to wear as Christian’s. GOD CAN USE YOUR PRISON SEASON!!
This passage reminds us that as Christians we are also soldiers of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3-4, Philemon 1:2) in a spiritual battle against the enemy satan!!
James 4:7 '..resist the devil and he will flee from you!'
This passage will help show us how we can resist the devil so he will flee from us!
THIS PASSAGE CAN BE SPLIT UP INTO 4 SECTIONS
vs 10-11 THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS SOURCE OF POWER AND PROTECTION IN BATTLE
vs 11-12 THE SOLDIER'S ENEMY
vs 13-18- THE SOLDIERS PROTECTION
vs 19-20 THE SOLDIERS DUTY
vs 10- 'finally' concluding exhortations by Paul!
vs 10- be STRONG in the Lord. The word for strong here means 'to receive strength' or 'be empowered'. It is the same word used in Acts 9:22 when it says Saul became more and more powerful to be able to prove that Jesus was the Christ!! (Empowered to contend for the faith). It is also the same word used in Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME! (Empowered to endure all circumstances!!)
Notice we will have our Heavenly Father's empowerment to be able to remain strong in this battle against the enemy!
It is only the mighty power of God that can strengthen us to protect us against the enemy satan!! The word 'be' is in the present tense which means a continual empowering each day!!!
1.THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS SOURCE OF POWER AND PROTECTION IN BATTLE:
Q. WHO IS THIS SOURCE OF POWER?
In Acts 1:8, our saviour Jesus said “But you will receive power when The Holy Spirit comes on you...”
In Ephesians 3:16, the apostle Paul prayed that God may “strengthen you with POWER THROUGH HIS SPIRIT in your inner being….”
This is something only Jesus can do in us and for us through THE HOLY SPIRIT!!! Therefore, we see that it is THE HOLY SPIRIT who is God’s mighty power that we are to be empowered by!
We need the Holy Spirit's spiritual power to fight this spiritual battle!! Eg. Demon-possessed people need the supernatural delivering power of Jesus through us to be cast out in Jesus' name! (Matthew 12:28)
SOURCE OF POWER AND PROTECTION IN THIS SPIRITUAL BATTLE!
DO WE RELY ON THE POWER OF GOD TO STRENGTHEN US? ARE WE EMPOWERED BY GOD? ARE WE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT'S POWER IN US EACH DAY?
Q. WHAT OTHER VERSES ARE THERE IN SCRIPTURE TO ENCOURAGE US IN THIS SPIRITUAL BATTLE?
(Romans 16:20, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:18, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8-10, 2 Timothy 4:17-18)
vs 11- WHAT ELSE CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES WITH IN THIS SPIRITUAL BATTLE?
The FULL armour of God!! This reminds us we must put on ALL the armour of God, not just some!!
Jesus has given us spiritual armour to protect ourselves with in this battle! Are you wearing your full armour? Notice this verse says God's armour will be able to protect us against the devils schemes!! How comforting is that!! Praise you Jesus!!
vs 10-11 How can we prepare for this spiritual battle? These verses tell us the way to the prepare is to be empowered by God's Holy Spirit and His filling, and to put on God's armour!!
vs 11- WHY DO WE NEED TO BE EMPOWERED AND PUT ON THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD?
(To take our stand against the devil's schemes and against the rulers, authorities and powers and principalities in the heavenly realms!)
2.THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER'S ENEMY:
Q. How does the devil try to attack us? Schemes! Schemes includes- deceit, trickery, cunning arts. It is the same word used in Ephesians 4:14 in regards to false teachings trying to lead the church astray! The enemy satan is at work in these cunning men!
An example of satan's craftiness was in the garden of Eden in Genesis 3:1-7 and Matthew 4:1-10.
LEARN TO RECOGNISE THE ENEMY YOU ARE FACING!!
WHAT ARE OTHER WAYS IN WHICH satan TRIES TO ATTACK US/SCHEME AGAINST US?
Revelation 12:10- he accuses us before God. The name satan means accuser (Job 1:6, Zechariah 3:1-2)
(Revelation 12:11- we overcome satan by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony!)
The name devil means diabolos which means to slander/false accuser. he tries to speak evil of us!!
John 8:44-45- he is a liar and murderer!!
(Combat this with the belt of truth!! The truth of God's word! Ephesians 6:14,17)
John 10:10- steal, kill and destroy!
Matthew 4:3- the enemy is known as the tempter!! He will also try and tempt us into sin!! (1 Thessalonians 3:5). Combat with 1 Corinthians 10:13!!
In the context of 1 Thessalonians 3:5, satan may also tempt us through physical persecution!! (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
2 Corinthians 2:9-11, Ephesians 4:26-27 the danger of unforgiveness!
BUT THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD AND HIS ARMOUR ARE ABLE TO EMPOWER US TO OVERCOME!
Q. So based on the armour of God, what areas will the devil try to scheme against us in?
Minds- helmet of salvation
Hearts desires- breastplate of righteousness.
vs 11-12 WHY DO WE NEED TO BE EMPOWERED BY GOD AND PUT ON THE ARMOUR OF GOD?
Verse 11-12 tell us the reason is because our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers and principalities and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms!!
vs 12- our battle is not against flesh and blood but in the spiritual! Every natural thing has a spiritual cause!! (Eg. Mark 9:17-18, Daniel 10:1-14, 2 Kings 6:16-17)
ARE OUR EYES OPEN TO THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE GOING ON? Or do we ignore it? LEARN TO RECOGNISE THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE GOING ON!!
Q. WHAT IS COMFORTING TO KNOW ABOUT THIS SPIRITUAL BATTLE FROM VS 13 AND THE CONTEXT?
But before we read this verse we need to understand the context of where we stand in the heavenly realms in this spiritual battle!
Ephesians 1:3 tells us we have every spiritual blessing In Jesus in the heavenly realms!
Ephesians 1:20-21 tells us that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly realms FAR ABOVE ALL RULERS, AUTHORITIES, POWERS AND DOMINIONS!
Ephesians 2:6- tells us that we ARE SEATED WITH CHRIST IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS!!
This means that we are seated far above all rulers, authorities, powers and dominion in the heavenly realms!!
This is therefore the context to Ephesians 6:12 and our battle being against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms! These powers and principalities are far below and under our feet because we are in Jesus!! Praise you Jesus!!
That is why this passage will say we don't need to take ground in this spiritual battle but rather we only need to STAND firm, because Jesus has already won the victory!! Colossians 2:15- Jesus has already DISARMED the powers and authorities and triumphed over them by the cross!!
3.THE SOLDIER'S PROTECTION (vs 13-18) (Standing firm in this spiritual battle)
Notice in vs 13 that Paul says “WHEN THE DAY OF EVIL COMES”, not “IF”? We are to expect persecution, suffering and attacks from the enemy because we are living for Jesus and His calling!! (2 Timothy 3:12, Philippians 1:29, Romans 8:17-18, 1 Peter 4:12-19)
BELT OF TRUTH:
vs 14 belt of TRUTH. (John 8:32- the truth is the teaching of Jesus, John 14:6- Jesus is the truth!) truth of the word of God (John 17:17) protects against the lies of satan! (John 8:44)
The belt of truth holds up every other part of the uniform in battle. So too the truth of the word of God!!
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS:
vs 14- breastplate of righteousness. Protects our hearts!! (1 Thessalonians 5:8- faith and love are our breastplate)
2 corinthians 5:21- Jesus' righteousness is imputed on us!! Jesus is our righteousness!!
(The enemy satan may try to make us feel like we are not righteous or good enough, especially when we stuff up.)
SHIELD OF FAITH:
vs 16- the shield of faith! With this shield we can EXTINGUISH EVERY FLAMING ARROW OF THE EVIL ONE! As our faith grows, this means our shield grows also! (Romans 10:17- faith comes by hearing the word of God!) The shield of faith helps overcome the DOUBT from the enemy!! (Eg. Genesis 3:1, Matthew 4:3)
HELMET OF SALVATION:
vs 17- helmet of salvation! Assurance of salvation mindset! (1 Thessalonians 5:8- the hope of salvation)
Protects our minds from the enemy satan's attacks!! (2 Corinthians 10:5)
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT!
vs 17- sword of the Spirit!! Need to learn how to use it and practice!! Do we spend time each day with Jesus studying His word? (Matthew 4:4-10 'it is written' said Jesus!)
Hebrews 4:12- the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword!! (2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16)
Revelation 1:16, 19:21 Jesus used the sword of the word to kill His enemies!!
Now notice all this armour is only for the front? This tells us two things.
Firstly this means we are not to retreat in this battle because Jesus has already won the victory by triumphing over satan by the cross! Therefore we only need to stand in His victory!!
Secondly Isaiah 58:8 tells us the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard!!
This also reminds us we are not to run away from our problems but instead face them head on with the help and armour of the Lord!!
4.THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER'S DUTY: PRAYER:
vs 18- intercession in prayer is part of the armour to help in this battle!!
vs 18 tells us WHEN to pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
vs 18-19 tells us WHOM to pray for
vs 19-20 tells us WHAT to pray for
vs 19-20 Paul asks the church to pray that God may give him boldness to keep fearlessly declaring the gospel despite the opposition!! (Acts 4:29-31)
PRAY OVER EACH OTHER FOR BOLDNESS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL IN OUR WORKPLACES AND ON THE STREETS!
vs 19- notice that Paul, who was currently in chains in prison at the time of writing this, was not asking the Ephesians to pray that he would be rescued from his chains, but rather that The Holy Spirit would give him all the more boldness to preach the gospel fearlessly even in prison!! Does that prayer sound familiar? (Acts 4:29)
MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY!
Notice also Paul is making the most of every opportunity? Being in prison, he could so easily have gotten discouraged by his chains, but instead realises that if he is in prison, he is an ambassador of Christ even in that prison and has a purpose to share the gospel in chains!!
THERE IS A PURPOSE TO YOUR PRISON!!
Summary of Ephesians 6:10-20
3 sections in this spiritual battle. 3 ways to be equipped!
vs 10- be empowered by The Holy Spirit!
vs 11-17 put on the armour of God!
vs 18-20 pray for each other in the Holy Spirit for courage to keep preaching the gospel!
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