The title of this message is: Stand Your Ground! There are times and season when the devil’s assaults against believers are more intense than at other times. Scripture not only tells us to be prepared for such times, but also tells us how to be prepared. That’s our subject today.
I am an optimist. I believe we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. I believe God is wholeheartedly for his people and when we live in obedience to him, no weapon formed against us will prosper. But those biblical assurances do not mean there will be no battles. David faced a Goliath and Daniel faced a lion’s den. The battle was only an opportunity to glorify God through trusting him with the results. The more we assertively proclaim the gospel in an antichrist culture, the more opposition we will face. But with that always come grace sufficient for the occasion. Paul told the church at Corinth, “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:9). Church, a great and effective door is opening to you, but make no mistake about it, with that there will be adversaries. Forget about avoiding the battle. You already signed up for the Lord’s army. You’re already in the war. When you’re in a fight, the best thing you can do is fight! Fight with skill and tenacity, but fight!
Anyone who is awake and breathing knows there is a spiritual battle raging in America. Yes, it manifests in political and cultural issues. But those are secondary. Those are symptomatic of the real problem. The real problem is spiritual wickedness in “heavenly places,” in the spiritual dimension that is all around us. As Jack Hayford put it, “In the heavenly realm that is one foot over your head and one foot to the right.” How do we stand strong in a culture that opposes truth at every turn? How do we stand firm when the cost is greater than it was yesterday? How will each and every one of us stand strong in our faith when many are departing from the faith, both doctrinally and in lifestyle?
In Ephesians 6 Paul referred to times like that as “the evil day.” In verses 10 – 13 he wrote, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [or strategies] of the devil. 12 For 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day [times when the battle is particularly challenging], and having done all, to stand 14 Stand.”i
Paul makes 3 points in that passage that we must never forget.
(1) If we are to stand strong, we must do so “in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Anyone who tries to stand against the adversary in his own strength, will lose. Paradoxically God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. Why is that? Because when we feel our own weakness, we tend to lean on God’s strength. And that’s faith! All the victories recorded in Hebrews 11 are preceded by the concept or phrase “by faith.” “And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens” (v. 32-35). Yes, I believe in “aliens.” Not little green men only 3 ft. tall, but something far more sinister: fallen angels that have your eternal destruction in mind! “The battle is not yours but the Lord’s.” But to participate in his victory, you must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Paul is about to tell us how to do that. It is important information that is essential for victory. How do we stand strong in difficult times?
(2) Stay clear about who the real enemy is! In the midst of the fray, it is very easy to lose sight of that. Why? Because the real enemy uses people to oppose you. If you try to win the fight by wrestling “against flesh and blood,” you will lose! The Democrats are not your enemy. The Republicans are not your enemy. The tax collector is not your enemy. That cantankerous coworker is not your enemy. Satan’s primary strategy against believers is to “divide and conqueror.” Anytime you find yourself opposing a fellow believer, stop and ask yourself: Are we both being dupped by the devil? Church splits usually end with no winners except the devil.
If we get this issue wrong, we can expend a lot of energy to no avail. In fact, we may do more harm than good. Keep it clear in your mind, “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.” That’s where the battle must be won. That’s the real enemy that must be defeated. And the right weapons must be employed to defeat him. “For the weapons of our warfare,” Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 10:4, “are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” Are you fighting the right battle? Are you opposing the real enemy? Are you using spiritual or carnal weapons?
(3) We must “Put on the whole armor of God.” To leave anything out leaves you vulnerable. A warrior without a sword is in trouble the moment the battle begins. The absence of a shield leaves him with no way to divert the “fiery darts of the wicked one.” The breastplate of righteousness is not the imputed righteousness that every believer has. There is no point in telling Christians to put that on. Every Christian is already equipped with imputed righteousness. The breastplate of righteousness in this passage is the fruit of imputed righteousness. It is righteous living. The thief learns the hard way that he is vulnerable to consequences because of his actions. The consequence may be as mild as disrespect from others or as strong as prison time. The adulterer is defeated by his own actions. Proverbs 6:27-28 asks, “Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared?” A lifestyle of righteousness is a necessary protection in spiritual warfare.
So, what is this armor that guarantees victory for the believer? Every piece of this armor has practical applications. Paul is not giving a children’s metaphor for us to fanaticize about. There might be a benefit in spending ten minutes each morning praying through the armor as was popular a couple of decades ago. But that does not put the armor on you. The benefit is simply that it reminds you that you need this armor. Paul is telling us what the armor is and how to put it on. It flows out of everything he has taught in this epistle. It is very practical advice. It has to do with how you live your life—your lifestyle.
We have established the point that every piece is necessary. But let’s quickly examine what each piece of this spiritual armor is and make sure we are wearing it.
(1) First, we are told in verse 14 to have our waist girded with “truth.” In that culture men wore flowing robes. If action was required, it was essential that the material be gathered up so that one’s feet were free to maneuver. You don’t want to trip on your own robe in the middle of a fight. There are two practical dynamics of being girded with truth. First, we must be established in doctrinal truth because error in what we believe can be spiritually fatal. That’s why Paul told Timothy, “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13). Today’s superficial church had better get ahold of that command. It’s not enough to just get their hiney sitting on the pew. We’re supposed to be discipling people! We’re supposed to be establishing them in biblical truth. The second practical application of this belt of truth is “truthfulness.” We are to be “speaking the truth in love.” Paul has dealt with this issue earlier in the epistle. Ephesians 4:25: “Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor.” The Devil is the father of lies. When we’re lying, we are operating in his territory. And that’s a dangerous place to be.
(2) We have already mentioned “the breastplate of righteousness”—practical righteousness—a lifestyle of obedience to God. Pastors who do not call their people to holiness are setting them up for defeat. You don’t defeat Satan by self-helps and boosted egos. Nifty techniques will never replace simple dedication and submission to God.
(3) Are your feet shod “with the preparation of the gospel of peace”? The only way to peace with God is through the gospel. We have been entrusted with the message of eternal salvation. Without the cross of Christ there is no salvation. Without the atonement of his sacrifice, good works are nothing but filthy rags. In Christ alone will you find peace with God. And in his message alone will you find peace with yourself and others. It is a “gospel of peace” that comes to us and through us by the Prince of Peace: Jesus.
I used to wonder why the phrase “preparation of” was in that verse. Wouldn’t it be sufficient to simply say, “the gospel of peace”? No, because our hearts must be prepared for sharing that gospel. It can’t just be in the book. It must be in our hearts so we can share it from the heart.ii We are to take this gospel wherever we go. We are to be ready to share it anytime the opportunity comes. We must preach it in season and out of season—when we feel like it and when we don’t feel like it. We must never lose sight of the Great Commission Jesus gave us before ascending into heaven. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). There are lots of distractions that can take our minds off that objective. Like a compass pointing north, we must always come back to it. That keeps us on the right course.
(4) Verse 16: “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” The Roman shield was a large shield that protected the whole body. That shield is a problem for the devil. It is hard for him to defeat a Christian who will keep trusting God no matter what happens. Satan will attack your confidence in God the way he did Eve when he accused God of withholding something good from her. He will attack God’s word, not only doctrinally, but just that ability to keep trusting God for the outcome.
We get a sense of how crucial faith is when we read what Jesus said to Peter shortly before Jesus was arrested. Luke 22:31-32: “And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.” The battle itself may be disturbing, but the one thing that must not fail is our faith—our confidence in God’s goodness and faithfulness.
(4) The “helmet of salvation” is mentioned in verse 17. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 it is called “the hope of salvation.” Through Christ we are given the hope of eternal salvation. That’s not just “pie in the sky.” That is the fortifying confidence that it will all end well for the believer. Jesus is preparing an eternal abode for you, and he will get you there.iii We must never lose sight of that hope. Hope will carry you through the hard times. Hope will keep you moving when others would give up.
Cultivate “the hope of salvation.” Meditate on the promises God has given you in his word. In 2 Corinthians 3 & 4 Paul shared some of the trials and hardships he experienced in life. God did not give Paul an “easy” life. He gave him a “meaningful” live. And that is far more valuable than an “easy” life. Anytime you begin to feel sorry for yourself, read 2 Corinthians 3 & 4 and compare it to what Paul went through for the sake of the gospel. Hope got Paul through the hardships, and hope will get you through. In that context Paul wrote, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction [by our standards it was very heavy affliction, but Paul kept in all in a godly perspective], which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. (2 Cor. 4:16-18).
The helmet was designed to protect the head where one’s thinking occurs. A wound to the head could be fatal. Hope fortifies and protects our minds. It enables us to keep these earthly trials in perspective.
Biblical hope is much more than wishful thinking. It is much like faith. Faith focuses on the “Source” of the solution—the Lord Himself. Hope focuses on the “Solution” God is giving us. It sees the end result. It anticipates the goodness of the Lord. It like a child envisioning the promised trip to Silver Dollar City. Right now, he has to clean his room. But Saturday we will be enjoying a day at Silver Dollar City. Hope sings in the night. Hope sings, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seems so small when we see Christ.” Biblical hope means “confident expectation,” not just “hope so” wishful thinking, but confidence that what God has promised will most certainly be given in due time.
(6) The “sword of the Spirit” is defined in verse 17 as “the word of God.” The Greek word translated “word” is rhema. It’s not just a Bible laying on the shelf. It is the word God quickens in your heart for the occasion. Of course, for that to happen there must be something there for God to quicken. Therefore, we must hide God’s word in our hearts. If it’s not there, God cannot quicken it. So, meditating on this word day and night is preparation for the battle.iv We see the sword of the Spirit being used by Jesus in his battle with Satan. Every time Satan launched his attack, Jesus countered with the exact word (rhema) that would defect the suggestion. Follow with me in Luke 4:3-13.
“And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, ‘It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'’ 5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'’ 9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,' 11 and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'’ 13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”
That’s the example Jesus left us for using “the sword of the Spirit.” Remember Jesus was not using his divinity to defeat Satan here. He did this as a man full of the Holy Spirit. He did this the same way we are to do it. He did it in dependence on the Holy Spirit, speaking the truth from Scripture that the Holy Spirit was quickening in his heart. Again, we must hide that word in our hearts in order to follow his example.
That completes the metaphor of armor. It’s all very practical. It’s all essential. Paul is telling Christians to “Stand your ground!” He is instructing them on how to be equipped to do that in “the evil day”—during the hard times. And he illustrates what is necessary using the Roman soldier’s armor. When we have this armor on, we can stand.
In the next few verses Paul sums up the exhortation with the most important factor for standing strong in the Lord: prayer. We do not have time to deal with that today, but it is another sermon that needs to be preached. I will simply read Ephesians 6:18-20 so that we are aware of the capstone of Paul’s teaching here. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
With a strong prayer life and the whole armor of God we will not just survive in the days ahead, we will thrive—prepared for every good work!
ENDNOTES:
i All Scripture quotes are from the New King James Version unless indicated otherwise.
ii Cf. 1 Pet. 3:15.
iii Cf. John 14:2-3.
iv Cf. Joshua 1:8.
