Christian Warfare: Christian Armor Series

INTRODUCTION:

It comes as a shock to the new believer that the Christian Life is a battleground and not a playground. We can always tell when a new believer is starting to mature, because they always find themselves fighting battles. This is a good sign because as Spurgeon used to say, “Satan never kicks a dead Horse!” If we are going to win the battle, we must know the enemy possess power. We must also understand that we have equipment to attack him and protect ourselves from him. Over the last four weeks, we have learned the strategies Satan uses against us. This week we will see the spiritual equipment and armor that God provides. In order to stand therefore in the heat of battle, believers need every piece of God's armor. The order of the pieces listed in the following verses is the order in which a soldier would put them on.

I. Full armor is required.

A. Paul emphasizes that the full armor of God is required

1. Therefore, the believers' response to the reality of this warfare should be to take up the whole armor of God.

2. The armor is ready for us; we merely need to take it.

• "Take up" is a technical military term describing preparation for battle.

• The armor is available, but the believer must "take it up" in order to be ready.

3. We would be remiss to do otherwise, for the battle is real, and we are Satan's targets.

• Only with the armor will believers be able to withstand,

• a word describing standing against great opposition

• It would be impossible to stand on our strength alone.

• Christian soldiers must be able to hold their ground and not flee or surrender under Satan's attacks.

4. The whole context implies that we have the victory.

• We must participate in Christ's victory over Satan.

• We know the outcome of the war, but individual battles can be lost if any believers have not done all in order to stand

5. The area left unguarded in our lives is shore to be the area that Satan will attack.

• Personally accepting and appropriating the defense, which is already yours in Him; with a view to your being able to stand against the strategies of the devil, the diabolos, the dread "Accuser" of the followers of his great Adversary, Christ, always lying in wait for their unreadiness and failure.

II. The Girdle of Truth

A. Satan s a liar

1. The bible calls him the father of all lies

2. We must oppose him with truth

B. In order to stand therefore in the heat of battle, believers need every piece of God's armor.

1. The order of the pieces listed is the order in which a soldier would put them on.

C. First, Paul wrote, fasten the belt of truth around your waist.

1. This belt, also called a girdle, was about six inches wide. Probably made of leather, it held together the clothing underneath as well as holding the other pieces of armor in place, such as the breastplate and the sheath for the sword.

• It may have contained a "breechclout," an apron that protected the lower abdomen.

• It may have also braced the back in order to give strength.

2. When the belt was fastened, the soldier was "on duty," ready to fight. A slackened belt meant "off duty." Christians, however, must face each day with a fastened belt, ready to fight the battle when needed.

3. As the belt formed the foundation of the soldier's armor, the truth is the foundation of the Christian life.

• This "truth" refers to the believer's character as a person who can be relied on for the truth.

• It certainly also refers to the truth of God's Word and his message in the gospel.

4. If we could not be absolutely sure of our faith, if we were not sure that Jesus is "the truth" (John 14:6), then there would be little use for the armor or in attempting to fight any battle.

• God's truth, as revealed to us through Jesus Christ, forms the foundation of victorious Christian living.

5. When the enemy, the father of lies (John 8:44), attacks with his lies, half-truths, and distortions, we believers can stand on the truth we believe.

• Jesus prayed for his followers: "Sanctify them by Your truth.

• Your word is truth" (John 17:17 ).

III. The Breastplate of Righteousness

A. Next, the soldier must put on the breastplate of righteousness.

1. A breastplate was a large leather, bronze, or chain mail piece that protected the body from the neck to the thighs.

• Isaiah 59:17,.

2. “Protecting the vital organs, the breastplate was a vital piece in the soldier's armor.