Christian Armor

As Christians, we realize....all too soon in our Christian

walk, that the battle between us and the lusts of the

flesh...between us and the world...between us and the

allurement of satan.....these things are tremendously

difficult!

A. When we read passages indicating that we are

truly fighting a battle...........we can identify with

this analogy....if, indeed, it is an analogy.

So often we feel more like the individual who is described

in Romans, chapter 7....than like the individual who is

described in Romans, chapter 8.

A. We feel like failures....we feel defeated...we feel

overwhelmed by the persistence of this fight.

1. While we direct our attention to one of our

weaknesses, something else rears its ugly head

in another quadrant of our lives.

If we are not properly prepared for this fight...if we do not

have the armor in place...if we are not skilled in utilizing

the power that we have through the proper and timely use

of this armor....WE WILL BE DEFEATED!!!

A. I think that most Christians think that they have

a good understanding of just what the armor is...

and how to properly use it.

1. To some degree, this is true...to some degree,

we really do not recognize the armor for what

it is and the power that is wielded through it.

I. The armor is not of a physical nature...it is totally

spiritual.

II Cor. 10:3-5 - 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do

not war according to the flesh. 4For the weapons of our

warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down

strongholds, 5casting down arguments and every high thing

that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing

every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Eph. 6:10-18 - 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the

Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole

armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the

wiles of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh

and blood, but against principalities, against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against

spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may

be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to

stand. 14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with

truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and

having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of

peace; 16above all, taking the shield of faith with which

you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked

one. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of

the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18praying always

with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being

watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication

for all the saints.

B. We can quite clearly see from these passages, that

not only is the armor a spiritual thing, but the

battle ground is spiritual as is the enemy that we

must battle.

1. This is why we can become “weary in spirit”

even when we are physically strong.

a. This is why we have the admonitions

that we do, which encourage us to stay

in the battle and not give up.

James 5:7-8 - 7Therefore be patient, brethren, until the

coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the

precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it

receives the early and latter rain. 8You also be patient.

Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Gal. 6:9 - 9And let us not grow weary while doing good,

for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

II Thess. 3:13 - 13But as for you, brethren, do not grow

weary in doing good.

C. The spiritual enemy is “self” and “self-will”.

1. The means of attack are multiple.

a. satan appeals to the pleasure senses of

our physical bodies.

1.) He will trick us and he will allure

us in placing the things that we

would like or like to do...in our

path.

b. Many times, satan doesn’t have to work

very hard......we can seek after these

sinful pleasures without even being

primed by satan.

James 1:14-15 - 14But each one is tempted when he is

drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15Then, when

desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it

is full-grown, brings forth death.

** All of this sounds so overwhelming....so overpowering..

and it would be, if God had left us defenseless......but

He didn’t.

II. We must take off the things that will not work,

underneath the armor of God.

A. When armor was used, it wasn’t put on over

street clothes.....the first thing that had to be