Armor of God

 

Not just for defense.

Ephesians, Chapter 6, Verses 10 – 20

 

Paul the Apostle is the author …

• His letter to the Ephesians
  • Or to the ekklesia at Ephesus
• Specific instruction to believers
  • Be strong in the Lord
  • Put on the full armor of God
  • Praying always
• Why?
  • To stand against the wiles of the devil
  • To withstand in the evil day

 

 

 

Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV

– Introduction

 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. 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. Wherefore take unto you  the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand.

 

 

– my brethren: fellow believers
– be strong in the Lord: the source is the Lord, relying on His strength
– and in the power of His might: He is sovereign, all powerful- put on the whole armor of God: a call to action
– that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil: why we need to answer the call to action

– 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: this is a spiritual wrestling match
– take unto you the whole armour of God: reiteration of the call to action
– that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day: reiteration of the reason to answer the call
– and having done all, to stand: have we done all?

 

 

Ephesians 6:14-18 KJV

– Instruction to Action

 

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; 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: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching

thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;

 

 

– stand therefore: a call to action (not a passive event)
– having your loins girt about with truth: the core strength, or foundation, is truth
– having on the breastplate of righteousness: covered by the righteousness of the Lord
– your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: carrying the gospel to others
– above all, taking the shield of faith: acting in faith is most important

– wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked: successful battle comes from faith in God
– take the helmet of salvation: security is in Christ
– and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: the Word is revelation for the basis of life in Christ
– praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints: joining together in caring for one another, becoming unified

 

 

Ephesians 6:19-20 KJV

– Inclusion and Result

 

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an

ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

 

– and for me: personal request for prayer – self inclusion
– that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly: godly desires to serve God
– to make known the mystery of the gospel: to reach out to the brethren as well as the yet to be believers
– for which I am an ambassador in bonds: knowing his identity in Christ; do I?
– that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak: obeying the call – in obedience, love, truth

 

 

 

Armor of God

Armor	Subject	Defense	Offense
Every	Represents	Defending	Moving
Piece	Attitudes	Ourselves	Against
Of	And / Or	Fellow Believers	Darkness
Armor	Behaviors	The Kingdom	Wickedness

Armor and Weapons

Wielded in Faith

Defending One Another

Advancing the Kingdom of God

 

 

Armor	Subject	Defense	Offense
Loins Girded in Truth	Foundation, or core, in the Truth of God
Breastplate of Righteousness	Covered in Christ’s Righteousness
Feet Shod … Gospel of Peace	Existing in God’s Peace, Salvation, and Kingdom
Shield of Faith	Believing and Trusting in God and His Ways
Helmet of Salvation	Security in Our Savior and Lord unto Eternal Life
Sword of the Spirit	The Word of God
Praying Always	Personal Interaction with God and for One Another

 

 

Armor	Subject	Defense	Offense
Loins Girded in Truth	Foundation, or core, in the Truth of God	Protection Against Deception	Firm Footing to Move Forward
Breastplate of Righteousness	Covered in Christ’s Righteousness	Free From Guilt and Shame	Righteous Standing in Authority and Power
Feet Shod … Gospel of Peace	Existing in God’s Peace, Salvation, and Kingdom	Peace and Love Overcomes Evil	Expanding the Kingdom Through the Gospel
Shield of Faith	Believing and Trusting in God and His Ways	Quench the Fiery Darts of the Enemy	Obedience in Love to the Call of God for One’s Life
Helmet of Salvation	Security in Our Savior and Lord unto Eternal Life	Hidden in Christ Who will Finish the Work He Began	Confidently Following Christ as His Disciples
Sword of the Spirit	The Word of God	Used to Counteract the Lies and Temptations	Used to Declare and Decree for the Kingdom
Praying Always	Personal Interaction with God and for One Another	Seeking Salvation and Refuge from Wickedness	Builds Faith, Declares Truth, Decrees Victory

 

 

Active, Not Passive

 

Action is Required of Disciples

 

• Love is a choice and an action for the benefit of another

• Obedience to the call of God on our lives leads to unity and fulfillment of purpose

• Faithfulness and Faith in God lead to hope, love and peace

• Actively pursuing God and His ways leads to knowledge and revelation

 

Passivity Leads to Defeat and Fatalism   Lack of displaying love leads to a self-centered lifestyle Disobedience distances oneself from the needed intimacy with God and others Lack of intimacy with God leads to insecurity and hopelessness Passivity leads to erosion of faith and opens one up to spiritual troubles     Active, Not Passive   The Epistle of James Chapter 4, Verse 17, KJV   Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.     So it is with the Armor of God. We are not called to put the armor on daily so we can hide in Christ and take no action. We are called to use the armor, our security in the Lord, as the basis for operating in obedience to the call we have.     Armor of God equates to Clothed in Christ   Romans 13:14 KJV   But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.       Galatians 3:27 KJV   For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.       Armor of God   and Clothed in Christ   are simultaneously   Being and Doing     Matthew 11:28 KJV   Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.     John 14:12a KJV   Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me, the works that I do he shall do also;     Conclusion     Considering the armor of God as being clothed in Christ, and what has been presented in this study, the following proclamation can be made. However, it cannot be made if this study is in error or if there is a lack of belief and/or faith to make such a declaration.     I have as my foundation the truth of God which is my protection against deception and is firm footing for me to move forward in following the Lord.   Being covered under the righteousness of Christ,  I am freed from guilt and shame, and I can stand in righteousness in the authority and power He gives to me.   As I live in the Kingdom of God, with the peace and salvation that only God can give, I can act in peace and love, overcoming evil, while I join in expanding the Kingdom through sharing the Gospel of peace.   I believe and trust in God and His ways which enables me to quench the spiritual attacks of the enemy, as well as to walk in obedience in love as I follow the call of God on my life.   I have security in my Savior and Lord unto eternal life as He will finish the work which He began, and I can confidently follow Christ as His disciple.   I use the Word of God to counteract the lies and temptations of the enemy, as well as declaring its truths of the Kingdom.   Being in continuous interaction with God through prayer for myself and others, I can seek salvation and refuge from wickedness as well as building faith in declaring truth and decreeing victory over the enemy.   All glory and honor and thanks be unto God Almighty through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.     The armor of God is a spiritual matter that is described to us in terms of physical items. We are at war with the enemy, so the armor makes sense as our example. If you are led to put on the armor daily, go for it. Follow the Lord as He leads you. Keep in mind that you are clothing yourself in Christ. Ask Him to reveal to you the deeper matter of the armor and all that it represents. Walk in victory with the Lord and go in peace.