Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters! Today, we're gonna dive into a powerful passage from the book of Ephesians. We're talking about being ready for battle, standing firm in our faith, and suiting up with the Armor of God. In his book "The Purpose Driven Life," Rick Warren wrote, "God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you're tempted to express the exact opposite quality!"

Let's read the scripture for today from Ephesians 6:10-13, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm."

Let's pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word that equips us for the battles we face in this world. We ask for your guidance as we delve into this scripture today. Open our hearts and minds to the truths you want to reveal to us. Help us understand how to put on the full armor of God daily and stand firm in our faith. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Put on the Armor of God

The Armor of God, as described in the book of Ephesians, is a powerful metaphor that reminds us of the spiritual battle we are engaged in as believers. This battle is not against physical enemies but against spiritual forces of darkness that seek to undermine our faith and derail our Christian walk. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, encourages us to put on the whole armor of God. This is not a suggestion, but a command, a necessary action for every believer who wants to stand firm in their faith.

The first aspect of putting on the Armor of God is understanding what it entails. The armor is composed of six pieces: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Each piece of the armor represents a different aspect of our faith that we need to strengthen and protect.

The belt of truth, for instance, signifies the importance of honesty and integrity in our lives. As believers, we are called to live in truth, not in deceit or falsehood. The breastplate of righteousness, on the other hand, symbolizes the righteousness we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. It protects our hearts, the seat of our emotions and desires, from the attacks of the enemy.

The shoes of the gospel of peace remind us that we are called to live in peace with others and to spread the good news of Jesus Christ wherever we go. The shield of faith is our defense against the fiery darts of doubt, fear, and discouragement that the enemy often throws at us. The helmet of salvation protects our minds from negative and destructive thoughts, while the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is our offensive weapon against the enemy. It is through the word of God that we can counter the lies of the enemy with the truth of God.

Another aspect of putting on the Armor of God is the realization that it is a daily task. Just as a soldier would not go into battle without his armor, we should not start our day without first equipping ourselves with the Armor of God. This involves spending time in God's word, in prayer, and in reflection. It means consciously choosing to live in truth, to walk in righteousness, to spread peace, to exercise faith, to guard our minds with the assurance of salvation, and to wield the word of God against any spiritual attack.

Putting on the Armor of God also requires an understanding of our enemy. The devil is described as a schemer, always looking for ways to deceive and destroy. He is not a force to be taken lightly. However, with the Armor of God, we are not defenseless. We have the power to resist his attacks and stand firm in our faith.

Finally, putting on the Armor of God is not a solitary endeavor. We are part of a spiritual army, the body of Christ. We are called to stand together, to support one another, and to fight together against the forces of darkness. This is why fellowship and community are so important in the Christian walk.

Pastor, could you please share a personal story that illustrates the importance of putting on the Armor of God in your own life? Your experiences could provide a powerful illustration of this concept and help us to better understand and apply it in our own lives.

Be Alert and Ready for Battle

One aspect of readiness is understanding the nature of our enemy ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO