Being Bold In The Battle Series

Being Bold in the Battle

Ephesians 6:14-23

Rev. Brian Bill

June 1-2, 2024

After one of the services last weekend, Lindsey Laud, who teaches first grade at Quad Cities Christian School, shared with me that the students in kindergarten through fifth grade have been reciting a statement about the Armor of God every morning. I was struck by something she said: “We want them to begin every day by putting on the armor of God.” Her daughter Everly did it for me on the spot, complete with motions. Since many of our Edgewood families partner with QCCS, I asked Lindsey if she could gather some of the young disciples together so we could record a video of them reciting this creed.

Here are the words:

I put on the helmet of salvation…to protect my mind and thoughts.

I put on the breastplate of righteousness…to help me know and do what’s right.

I put on the belt of truth…so I remember God’s Word is what is true.

I put on the Good News shoes…so I can tell others about Jesus wherever I go.

I hold up my Shield of Faith…to stop the fiery darts from the dumb devil.

And I use my Sword of the Spirit…which is the WORD OF GOD!

Play Video.

We studied Ephesians 6:10-13 last weekend and learned how important it is to stand against Satan in the strength of the Lord. We’re standing upon ground already won for us by the blood of Jesus Christ. We operate from a position of victory as 1 Corinthians 15:57 says: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The command to stand is used four times.

• Verse 11: “stand against the schemes of the devil.”

• Verse 13: “able to withstand in the evil day.”

• Verse 13: “stand firm.”

• Verse 14: “stand therefore.”

Because we are at war with invisible spiritual powers who are seeking to take us out, verse 11 exhorts us to “put on the whole armor of God.” Verse 13 commands us to “take up the whole armor of God.” This makes me think of what General Eisenhower wrote to the “Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Forces” right before the invasion of Normandy 80 years ago this week: “Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well-trained, well-equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.”

Let’s turn to Ephesians 6:14-17 where we’ll discover how to take up and put on God’s armor: 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

For our main idea, let’s be challenged by what our children have reminded us to do: Begin every day by putting on the armor of God.

Paul’s passion was to communicate that we are soldiers in an unseen war. Searching for a spiritual metaphor, a Roman soldier unwittingly sat for his portrait, very possibly the one to whom Paul was chained. We’re reminded to put on the “whole” armor of God so we are protected from every attack that may come our way. Pity the soldier who goes into battle unprepared. Paul lists the pieces of armor in the exact order they would be put on.

1. Fasten the belt of truth. The first metaphor is found in the front half of verse 14: “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…” A soldier’s belt was not used to hold his pants up but was used to tuck in his tunic so he wouldn’t trip up in battle. Without his belt, a soldier could not move quickly. The word “fastened” means, “to wrap around, to gird.” We see this in Exodus 12:11 when God prepared the Israelites to leave Egypt during the first Passover: “In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover.”

Just as the belt was the starting point for the soldier’s armor and pulled in all the loose ends, truth must be at the foundation of a believer’s life, tying everything together. In John 17:17, Jesus prayed: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” We must hold to the inerrancy and authority of God’s Word as we navigate the stormy seas in society, regardless of how much our culture capsizes. If God says it, that settles it. We must be convictional about sin and compassionate toward sinners. We will not compromise on truth, nor will we clobber those for whom Christ died.