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BACKGROUND: The book of Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul sometime around A.D. 63 while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. The letters of Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon were also penned by Paul during this period.
The theme of Ephesians is “the glorious church” and its purpose is to describe the redemptive grace of God toward his church.
The theme of chapter 6 is the “Full armor of God.”
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BIBLICAL PROBLEM: Satan was fighting the Ephesians with various tactics and deceptions.
BIBLICAL SOLUTION: In order to defeat Satan they needed to “put on the full armor of God.”
CONTEMPORARY PROBLEM: Satan fights us using various tactics and deceptions.
The Greek word that Paul uses in verse 11 that is translated as “schemes” in the New International Version comes from two Greek words which mean “after” (meta) and “to journey” (hodeuo). This compound word describes how we achieve something-- we journey after it.
This shows us that Satan journeys after our weaknesses -- he investigates and goes after our vulnerabilities. He shrewdly seeks out the points in our lives that are susceptible and open to attack, and then he launches his fierce assault.
And we are up against a formidable enemy. Whatever name he goes by: Satan, the devil, Lucifer, Beelzebub; the Bible says that he is:
1. a murderer (John 8:44)
2. a liar (John 8:44)
3. a thief (John 10:10)
4. a destroyer (John 14:30)
5. an accuser (Revelation 12:9-10)
6. a devourer (1 Peter 5:8)
7. a deceiver (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)
and…
8. a masquerader of goodness (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)
I want to ask you one question: Are you prepared to wage war against Satan?
(Sermonspice.com video: “The Unseen World”)
“In our age, evil spirits, witches and demons have come to be celebrated. Many have come to regard the evil world as mere myth or superstition. But the truth is, Satan and his power are very real...but so is the Lord... and victory is in Christ Jesus”(sermonspice.com).
Thesis: In order to stand up against and defeat Satan we need to “put on the full armor of God.”
In verses 14 and 15 the first three pieces are presented:
1. First: The belt of truth-- Letting Jesus firmly embrace us enabling us to be ready for battle.
2. Second: The breastplate of righteousness-- Living a life that enables us to have a clear and good conscience before God.
3. Third: The shoes of peace-- Standing firm against Satan with hope and trust in God.
TRANSITIONAL STATEMENT: In verses 16 and 17 we find the fourth, fifth, and sixth pieces of God’s armor with which we need to be equipped in order to defeat the enemy.
I. THE FOURTH PIECE OF GOD’S ARMOR WITH WHICH WE NEED TO BE EQUIPPED IS: THE SHIELD OF FAITH.
The shield in ancient Roman armor was a defensive weapon.The word Paul uses in verse 16 that is translated as shield is thureos. It derives from the Greek word thura, which means “door.” That’s because the primary shield of the Roman soldier was not the little tiny circular shield we so often think of. Rather, the Roman soldier’s shield of this period was a large, rectangular weapon of defense. It was much like carrying a small door. The shield was 4 to 5 feet high and 2 ½ to 3 feet wide. Since the average Roman soldier stood at about 5’5” this large shield protected a considerable portion of his body.
Also, while in combat the soldiers could stand side by side, and holding up their shields they would be protected by a giant portable wall. It was by joining together that the soldiers could powerfully advance against the enemy. Bible commentator Markus Barth points out that although the shield was a defensive weapon, “men advancing behind their huge shields…were as threatening in the ancient world as soldiers riding in an armored car are today; and closely formed units, advancing shield by shield and with a compact cover of shields above their heads, were as much instruments of attack as modern tanks” (Markus Barth, Ephesians, The Anchor Bible, Volume 34A [Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1974], 772).
These shields were “made of two pieces of wood laminated together with leather on the front” (E. E. Elliott, A Study of the New Testament, Volume 2 [Newburgh, IN: Trinity Press, 1996], 176). There were as many as seven layers of leather. There is an ancient document (Thucydides 2.75.5) which tells us that just before battle the shields were soaked in water so that the leather layers were saturated. The reason this was done was because enemies of the Roman Empire would take arrows and dip them in distilled tar. They would then set the arrows ablaze and fire them at the Roman soldiers. Usually the very nature of the thick leather layers would deflect the arrows completely. But even if an arrow stuck, it would burn itself out in the wet leather without causing any harm.
Faith in the New Testament speaks of belief in, confidence in, and commitment to God through Jesus Christ. The Greek word Paul uses that is translated as “faith” is pistis. It means to have a “firm persuasion.” It is related to the word pisteuo which means “to hold on to something with confidence” (Elliott, Study of NT, vol. 2, 176). But this is not talking about blind faith. Nowhere in the Bible is “blind faith” ever mentioned. Yes, it’s true we are to “live by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). But that does not eliminate the importance of the Christian faith being firmly established upon historical facts and evidences.
The authors of the New Testament time and again use historical evidence to support their claims. The apostle Paul used eyewitness testimony in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. And Luke the physician who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts carefully researched the historical facts in order to present his gospel account accurately.
Luke 1:1-4: “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
Luke is telling us that the gospel is not rooted in ignorance-- but in evidence-- historical facts. Sir William Ramsey, who was a product of the 19th century German historical school, said that “Luke is a historian of first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy…this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians….Luke’s history is unsurpassed in respect of its trustworthiness.”
In the book Dear Agnos, professor Arlie J. Hoover states that we “should never define faith as a blind leap into the dark. It is, rather, a walk into the light” (19). Our belief in, confidence in, and commitment to God are firmly rooted in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The shield of faith, then, is our assurance in God’s promises enabling us to stand up against the attacks of the enemy. It is our trust in God which deflects Satan’s weapons of “doubts, … temptations, and anything that distracts from devotion to God” (Elliott, Study of NT, vol. 2, 176). The Early Church Father Chrysostom said that the “flaming arrows” of which Paul speaks in verse 16 are “both temptations and perverse desires. [Paul] calls them fiery because that is the nature of the appetite. Faith is capable of commanding hosts of demons. How much more is faith capable of ordering the passions of the soul?” It is our faith which stands before us and protects us the onslaught of Satan.
We have the shield of faith because 2000 years of church history show us the power of God. Two thousand years of church history repeatedly revealing men and women whose lives were completely turned around from destruction to healing by the power of God.
Saul of Tarsus, Who went from being a religious fanatic who persecuted Christians to being one of the greatest Christian missionaries of the early Church.
Clement of Alexandria, Who went from being in a pagan family and highly educated in Greek philosophy to being one of the great Christian theologians of the 2nd century. He believed that “faith is…not irrational belief on someone’s say-so, but the true foundation of rational knowledge” (Stuart G. Hall, Doctrine and Practice in the Early Church [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991], 98). He was also known to say that “ignorance was in fact worse than sin.”
Augustine of Hippo, who went from being, in his own words, “a vast problem” to himself to being one of the preeminent Christian theologians of the 4th and 5th centuries.
In modern times we have the examples of Josh McDowell, Who went from being an agnostic who set out to disprove the resurrection of Christ to being one of the leading Christian apologists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Lee Strobel, Who went from being a prize winning journalist who set forth to disprove the validity of Christianity to being a great defender of the Christian faith.
We have the shield of faith because of the reliability of the Bible. We have the shield of faith because Christ lives within us.
TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE: Beyond the shield of faith there is another vital piece of armor which we need in our fight against Satan.
II. THE FIFTH PIECE OF GOD’S ARMOR WITH WHICH WE NEED TO BE EQUIPPED IS: THE HELMET OF SALVATION.
The helmet in ancient Roman armor was a defensive weapon. The helmet basically encompassed the entire cranium, covering most of the head, to protect the brain. Without adequate protection a soldier could be dealt a serious blow that could render him unconscious, or even kill him. Either way he would be out of service. The enemy would gain an advantage. The helmet helped to keep the soldier alert, alive, and thinking clearly.
Salvation in the New Testament speaks of being delivered “from the power of sin.” The Greek word we translate as “salvation” in verse 17 is soterion. It was often used in the ancient world to mean something along the lines of, for example, “saving or rescuing someone from drowning.” We may think of the song Love Lifted Me:
"I was sinking deep in sin far from the peaceful shore.Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more.But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry.From the waters lifted me, Now safe am I.
Love lifted me, love lifted me. When nothing else could help, love lifted me. Love lifted me, love lifted me. When nothing else could help, love lifted me.
Yet the word soterion conveys, not only being rescued, but a deeper general sense of “victory.”
So we’re not just saved from sin-- we conquer sin! We overcome sin! We overpower everything that Satan throws at us!
In Luke 10:19-20: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
We overcome the rulers of the evil realm by the sanction of Jesus Christ. Salvation protects us by giving us authority over Satan and power far beyond his. The helmet of salvation, then, is our good sense and understanding in Christ.
First Thessalonians 5:8: “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
The helmet of salvation keeps us alert, alive, and thinking clearly as we battle the forces of evil. Dr. Adrian Rodgers once commented that “a soldier used a helmet to protect his head because if his head was wounded, he wouldn’t be able to think. Every believer needs to have the mind of Christ under the control of Almighty God.”
We find an explanation in Romans 8:5,10-11 of having Christ’s mind in us under the control of God:
“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires...[I]f Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”
Dr. E. E. Elliott has noted that the helmet of salvation shows that just as “the head directs the activities of the body. Salvation directs the activities of the spiritual life.” All of our words and deeds should be guided by Christ’s mind in us.
The apostle Paul writes in First Corinthians 2:15-16: “The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”
As one Bible commentator observed, the hope of our salvation in Jesus Christ is “a defence of the head against false doctrines; for the helmet is a piece of armour for the head; and it is an erecter of the head in times of difficulty, affliction, and distress; and it covers the head in the day of battle, when engaged with Satan, the enemy of souls” (John Gill, at www.studylight.org).
TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE: Following (1) the belt of truth, (2) the breastplate of righteousness, (3) the shoes of peace, (4) the shield of faith, and (5) the helmet of salvation there is one more essential piece of armor we need in spiritual warfare.
III. THE SIXTH PIECE OF GOD’S ARMOR WITH WHICH WE NEED TO BE EQUIPPED IS: THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.
The sword in ancient Roman armor was an offensive weapon. The sword that is part of the full armor of God is not the long lance which the soldiers carried.
Rather, the sword Paul writes about “is the short 18 inch sword that was sharp as a razor on both sides.” It was used in close hand to hand combat. This sword or dagger was a deadly weapon with which the soldier could easily eviscerate or disembowel the enemy.
The Spirit in the New Testament speaks of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is referred to more than 90 times in the New Testament. The Father is mentioned more than 200 times. The Son is mentioned more than 200 times. Although he is not mentioned as much as the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit’s role is absolutely vital to us as Christians.
Dr. Clark H. Pinnock has stated that “the Spirit is central to [the Church] because he is the source of fellowship among humans in history and the bond of love between Father and Son in eternity” (Clark H. Pinnock, Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996], 117).
Without the Holy Spirit we could not know true fellowship and communion within the church and with God because “the Holy Spirit is now [in the 21st century] the primary manifestation of [God] among us” (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], 634).
We cannot see God the Father whose presence is mostly exhibited in heaven. And God the Son is now seated in heaven beside God the Father. So it is the Holy Spirit who is God’s expression of his presence with us.
There are four aspects of the Holy Spirit’s work which bring us evidence of God’s presence and blessings:
1. Empowerment--When the Holy Spirit empowers us he gives us life and power for service.
2. Purification-- The Holy Spirit purifies by an initial cleansing in new Christians and then enables the growth of holiness in our lives.
3. Revelation-- Revelation comes about by the Holy Spirit speaking to the prophets and apostles:
a. Giving evidence of the presence of God,
b. Guiding the people of God,
c. Providing a Godlike character of the conviction of sin, of love, of joy, and of wisdom.
d. Giving God’s people the assurance that God is with us
e. Teaching and enabling us to understand the teaching.
4. Unification-- When the Holy Spirit unifies he brings believers together in fellowship and provides us with spiritual gifts that bring us together as we depend upon one another.
The sword of the Spirit, then, is the Word of God. The Greek word Paul uses in verse 17 to explain what the sword of the Spirit is rhema. The Greek term that is used in reference to Jesus Christ as the Word of God is logos. So, Paul is not saying here that Jesus is the sword of the Spirit. The sword of the Spirit “is the individual Scripture which the Spirit brings home to the heart of a person” (Elliott, Study of NT, vol. 2, 176).
The Word of God-- the Bible-- is our offensive weapon “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” And it’s not just a dusty Bible on a shelf. It is the written word proclaimed that is the powerful weapon. This “means the use of the right word from the Scripture at the exact time in the place it is needed” (Elliott, Study of NT, vol. 2, 176). It is the preaching and teaching of Scripture which slaughters the forces of darkness. That is why Satan attempts to discredit Biblical preaching and teaching and to hinder the proclamation of the gospel.
The truth recorded in the Bible is strong enough and sharp enough to cut through the tactics and deceptions of Satan. The great Bible expositor John Gill wrote that “the word of God is compared to a ‘sword,’ for its two edges, the law and Gospel; the one convicts of sin, and cuts to the heart for it, and the other cuts down all the goodliness of man; and the Scriptures in general are a sharp sword, in convincing of sin, reproving for it, and threatening with wrath and ruin, in refuting error and heresy, and repelling Satan’s temptations.”
So what does the Devil do? What kinds of error, heresy, and temptations does he throw our way? Well for one thing he tries to undermine the power and authority of the Bible by seeking to convince people that the Bible is not reliable. He strives to take our primary offensive weapon away from us by convincing Christian that it is not dependable. But we dare not allow him to do it.
The fact is, the Bible is dependable-- our sword is sharp and reliable. If you study the evidence, you’ll see that what the Bible says is absolutely true! Our sword of the Spirit is sharp!
CONCLUSION: Truly, to fight the good fight we need to be equipped with the full armor of God:
1. The belt of truth-- Letting Jesus firmly embrace us enabling us to be ready for battle.
2. The breastplate of righteousness-- Living a life that enables us to have a clear and good conscience before God.
3. The shoes of peace-- Standing firm against Satan with hope and trust in God.
4. The shield of faith-- Our assurance in God’s promises.
5. The helmet of salvation-- Having good sense and understanding in Christ.
6. The sword of the Spirit--The word of God- the Bible proclaimed.
But all the armor and equipment provided is not going to be effective without being in constant communication with our “commanding officer.” We must be in constant contact with HQ if we’re going to effectively battle the enemy.
That is why Paul writes in verse 18: “Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.”
My dear friend Maureen Smith Grable conveys this truth very well in her poem “Doing Battle on Our Knees.”
"Many warriors have gone to battle
riding mounted, prancing steeds
But the Christian goes to battle
when he falls upon his knees.
The greatest warfare will take place
when the Christian kneels to pray
And though the foes may be unseen
our prayers will hold them at bay.
"Angelic host surround us
waiting to minister to our needs
And the battle line is drawn
when we fall upon our knees.
"The world may think this battle strange
for they cannot understand
But when God’s children are on their knees
He then, will take command.
"The fiery darts are often hurled
to catch us unaware
But they will never find their target
when we spend much time in prayer."
In order to stand up against and defeat Satan we need to “put on the full armor of God” with prayer. Let me conclude where I began with this one question: Are you prepared to wage war against Satan?
