Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:11-12
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:14-15
"Having put" indicates something you have ALREADY done if you are a believer.
¨ Having
your loins girt about with truth
¨ Having
on the breastplate of righteousness
¨ Having
your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace
The second division includes things
which are to be put on in the present:
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:16-17
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:16-17
¨ Taking
the shield of faith
¨ Take
the helmet of salvation
¨ Take
the sword of the Spirit
Apostle Paul emphasizes
putting on the "WHOLE" armor of God. Some of us are preoccupied with
but one piece of God's armor to the extent that others are neglected. We must
have on the whole armor or you may find yourself being an expert in the use of
the "sword of the Spirit" and still defeated because you have
forgotten the shield of faith.
The Belt:
- The girdle or belt of truth protects from the deception of Satan which can lead to unrighteousness (sin).
The first piece of armor to be put on is the girdle or belt of truth. In the natural world, a suit of armor was attached to the belt which held the other pieces of armor in place. The truth of God's Word is the spiritual belt to which all other pieces of armor are attached. Satan's first attack on man was on truth:
And the woman said unto the serpent...God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die. Genesis 3:2-4
- The girdle or belt of truth protects from the deception of Satan which can lead to unrighteousness (sin).
The first piece of armor to be put on is the girdle or belt of truth. In the natural world, a suit of armor was attached to the belt which held the other pieces of armor in place. The truth of God's Word is the spiritual belt to which all other pieces of armor are attached. Satan's first attack on man was on truth:
And the woman said unto the serpent...God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die. Genesis 3:2-4
The truth will protect you from lies
and doctrinal errors of the enemy. Truth is the under girding of your spiritual
armor. You are to have your loins girt (covered)
with truth:
What is the truth?
√ Jesus said, "I am the truth." John 14:6
√ The Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of truth." John 14:17
√ God is truth. Romans 3:4
√ God's Word is truth. Psalms 119:151
√ The Gospel is truth. Colossians 1:5
The Breastplate:
- The breastplate of righteousness protects from unrighteousness (sin) which leads to confusion.
In the natural world, the breastplate covered the upper body of the warrior to protect his vital organs such as his heart, lungs, etc. The spiritual breastplate of righteousness does not refer to your righteousness, but the covering of the righteousness of Christ:
And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Philippians 3:9
We do not stand on our own merits. We stand in Christ. We can not face the enemy without the protection of the
righteousness of Christ:
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the Armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. 2 Corinthians 6:7
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the Armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. 2 Corinthians 6:7
The righteousness of Christ protects
your spiritual "vital organs" from the attacks of Satan and from
unrighteousness. The breastplate of righteousness must be buckled on to the
belt of truth.
The Shoes:
-Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace protects from spiritual confusion which results in unbelief.
There are many types of shoes for different purposes. Some are for walking, others for specific sports activities. A soldier's shoes are another kind... they are shoes designed for warfare. A soldier who cannot advance on the battlefield is disabled in warfare.
-Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace protects from spiritual confusion which results in unbelief.
There are many types of shoes for different purposes. Some are for walking, others for specific sports activities. A soldier's shoes are another kind... they are shoes designed for warfare. A soldier who cannot advance on the battlefield is disabled in warfare.
"Feet shod with the preparation
of the Gospel of peace" indicate a readiness to advance in the spiritual
realm. These spiritual shoes protect your will from the temptation of the enemy
who would lead you in wrong paths. They indicate your willingness to do every
good work and to spread the Gospel to all nations. These spiritual shoes will
also enable you to "stand" against the enemy as Apostle Paul encourages us to do
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:14
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:14
The Shield:
- The shield of faith protects against unbelief which results in bondage. The helmet of salvation protects from bondage.
In the natural world, the shield was used to provide protection to the warrior's entire body. Our spiritual shield is called the "shield of faith."
There are several types of faith
mentioned in the Bible. There is saving faith, the gift of faith, and the
spiritual fruit of faith. But the word "faith" when used in relation
to the "shield of faith" speaks of defensive faith. This faith
is a firm trust and confidence in God which protects our whole being. It
protects us from flaming attacks of doubt and unbelief sent by the enemy.
This shield of faith is a calm and confident trust in God which deflects all
the fiery arrows of the enemy from their target.
The shield of faith is the constant
application of God's Word to the issues of life. It is a faith that enables you
to overcome the evil forces of the world:
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4
Combined with the love of God, faith is
most effective:
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
§ It is faith based on truth:
He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalms 91:4
He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalms 91:4
§ It is faith based on salvation:
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Psalms 18:35
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Psalms 18:35
§ It is necessary; without faith,
¨ you have no grasp of truth.
¨ you have no grasp of truth.
¨ you cannot receive salvation.
¨ you cannot go forth with the Gospel of peace.
¨ you cannot claim the righteousness of Christ and effectively use the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
Faith is not an assumption or presumption. It is a fact based upon God's Word. You increase your faith by :
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
§ acting upon your present faith:
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17
§ and by seeking God
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
The Helmet:
- The helmet of salvation represents a regenerated mind. It represents a transformed and renewed thought life.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
Satan desperately fights for control of the mind. An undisciplined mind makes the Christian warrior easy prey to sinful deceptions of the enemy.
- The helmet of salvation represents a regenerated mind. It represents a transformed and renewed thought life.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
Satan desperately fights for control of the mind. An undisciplined mind makes the Christian warrior easy prey to sinful deceptions of the enemy.
Apostle Paul speaks of the helmet as the
"hope of salvation"
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
Salvation, when properly experienced and understood, protects your mind. Salvation embraces the past, present, and future. You have been saved from the guilt and penalty of past sin. You are being saved from the power of sin in the present. It is the final salvation from the presence of sin when Jesus returns. The hope of this future salvation strengthens our mind against the attacks of Satan. We have a confident hope in the future because God is working out His purpose:
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Ephesians 1:9-10
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
Salvation, when properly experienced and understood, protects your mind. Salvation embraces the past, present, and future. You have been saved from the guilt and penalty of past sin. You are being saved from the power of sin in the present. It is the final salvation from the presence of sin when Jesus returns. The hope of this future salvation strengthens our mind against the attacks of Satan. We have a confident hope in the future because God is working out His purpose:
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Ephesians 1:9-10
The Sword Of The Spirit:
- The sword of the spirit, the Word of God, is used as both an offensive and defensive weapon.
Jesus fought and defeated the enemy with the word of God
- The sword of the spirit, the Word of God, is used as both an offensive and defensive weapon.
Jesus fought and defeated the enemy with the word of God
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 4:10
Prayer: After
describing the Christian soldier's armor, Apostle Paul comments:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. (Ephesians 6:18)
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. (Ephesians 6:18)
Prayer and its associated practices of fasting and meditating are also powerful spiritual weapons. These weapons can be used
both offensively and defensively.
The downward progression of one not
protected by the armor of God leads to deception. Deception leads to unrighteousness (sin) which
always results in confusion. Confusion results in unbelief, and unbelief always
results in spiritual bondage and thus defeat.
Stay protected with the spiritual armor that God has provided for us!
Stay protected with the spiritual armor that God has provided for us!
Biblical Studies
10/19/13
09/09/14
08/04/15
12/21/16
07/27/19
02/08/21
Wonderful and true message here. Thank you Candy and thank you Lord.
ReplyDeleteNot to undermine but to enhance we offer this additional commentary
.
Believers Bible Commentary
6:11 The second command is concerned with the need for divine armor. The believer must put on the whole armor of God that he may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil. It is necessary to be completely armed; one or two pieces will not do. Nothing less than the whole panoply which God provides will keep us invulnerable. The devil has various stratagems—discouragement, frustration, confusion, moral failure, and doctrinal error. He knows our weakest point and aims for it. If he cannot disable us by one method, he will try for another.
6:12 This warfare is not a matter of contending against godless philosophers, crafty priests, Christ-denying cultists, or infidel rulers. The battle is against demonic forces, against battalions of fallen angels, against evil spirits who wield tremendous power. Though we cannot see them, we are constantly surrounded by wicked spirit-beings. While it is true that they cannot indwell a true believer, they can oppress and harass him. The Christian should not be morbidly occupied with the subject of demonism; neither should he live in fear of demons. In the armor of God, he has all he needs to hold his ground against their onslaughts. The apostle speaks of these fallen angels as principalities and powers, as rulers of the darkness of this age, and as spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. We do not have sufficient knowledge to distinguish between these; perhaps they refer to spirit-rulers with differing degrees of authority, such as presidents, governors, mayors, and aldermen, on the human scale.