Our Shining Armor -- Part 1

Scripture

A few weeks ago we began a sermon series in Ephesians 6:10-24 that I am calling, “The Whole Armor of God.”

So far we have examined our spiritual warfare, our terrible enemy, and our only strength in this warfare. Today, I want to examine the first part of our shining armor in this warfare.

So, let’s read about our shining armor in Ephesians 6:14, although for the sake of context, I shall read verses 10-14:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (Ephesians 6:14)

Introduction

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul wanted believers to understand that we are engaged in a powerful supernatural warfare. He wrote in Ephesians 6:12, “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.” Whether we like it or not, Christians are conscripted into this great warfare. We now belong to the army of God, as it were, and we battle against the devil—also known as Satan—and his demons.

In his commentary on Ephesians, John MacArthur lists a number of ways in which Satan opposes believers, some of them direct and obvious, while others are indirect and subtle.

First, Satan opposes believers by impugning God’s character and credibility. He did this of course with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve enjoyed a wonderful relationship with God. They trusted him completely until Satan came along and caused them to doubt God’s Word. He succeeded, as you know, and ever since that time the devil’s supreme desire has been to convince people that God is untrustworthy. He has caused untold numbers of people to doubt and deny God’s Word as the word of truth. Christians impugn God’s character and credibility when we doubt his goodness, love, power, grace, and mercy. Christians impugn God’s character and credibility when we lose a job, a loved one, or our health, and then blame God for that loss.

Second, Satan opposes believers by bringing trouble into our lives. At the most extreme end is persecution of Christians. Some Christians are so persecuted that they lose their freedom, jobs, families, and even their lives. But Satan also brings trouble by means of peer pressure. Some Christians fear criticism and want to be accepted, and so they capitulate to that pressure.

Third, Satan opposes believers through doctrinal confusion and error. Satan “disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), and infiltrates churches to spread doctrinal confusion and error. That is why there is such a vast difference in doctrine between so many churches. Satan convinces Christians that the Word of God is difficult to grasp and that they are not able to understand the Word of God. So, Christians don’t study God’s Word for themselves. They don’t attend Bible studies in order to grow in their understanding of God’s truth. And the result is that millions of people join churches that are nothing but a “synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9; 3:9).

Fourth, Satan opposes believers by hindering their service to God. For example, Satan opposed the Apostle Paul’s work in Ephesus through “many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). When I was a student at seminary, a seasoned and gifted pastor was taking an advanced degree. I sometimes used to drive to Sunday worship with him and his wife. He said once that he and his wife often used to have significant spats on a Saturday evening. When I became a pastor I noticed that my wife and I more often than not had arguments on—you guessed it!—Saturday evenings. When Christians want to get active in ministry in the church, Satan finds ways to hinder their service to God.

Fifth, Satan opposes believers by causing divisions. Nothing more effectively hinders the church’s testimony than division among its members. Satan knows that he has won the battle when Christians don’t love each other or serve each other or help each other or forgive each other. That is why Jesus prayed so fervently for the unity of his followers (John 17:11, 21-23), and he commanded them to be quickly and willingly reconciled to each other (Matthew 5:24).