That is, they do not like us, and every time they get a chance to do us some harm they do it solicitously.
That is a fact of life, it is something we mortals live with every day of our lives. There are many reasons that people hate us, such as:
(1) Some people are just evil to the core, and they are looking for someone to hate, and if you happen to come into sight you become the target of their hate.
Illus: For example, some evil men took a young woman out in the woods and brutally raped and killed her. The police asked them why would they do such a thing. They said, “It wasn’t personal, she just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time!”
This is the way some evil people are. We can become the target of their hatred not because we have done something to them, we just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
(2) Some people hate us because they are jealous of what God has blessed us with.
Let’s face the facts, we all have enemies.
Illus: Many of us have heard preachers stand at a funeral service and say, “He did not have an enemy in the world.” But for a preacher to say that brings up two questions:
1. How does he know that? I do not know anyone good enough to make a statement like that.
2. How did the deceased do something the Sinless Son of God could not do?
Jesus had enemies, and He said if they hated Him, we certainly can also expect them to hate us.
We all have enemies, and the best way to get rid of your enemies is to turn them into friends if it is possible. However, the Bible teaches that is not always possible.
Look at Rom. 12:18, we read, “IF IT BE POSSIBLE, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
It is not always possible to live peaceably with all men. There are some who will make you the target of their hate regardless of how nice you are to them.
But while we recognize that fact of life In the PHYSICAL WORLD, we often fail to recognize that fact of life in the SPIRITUAL WORLD where we have a far greater enemy.
Every day of our life, Satan is out to do us as much harm as he can do to us.
Look at 1 Peter 5: 8, we read, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
This verse is very descriptive of Satan. It tells us:
• He is our adversary
• He is as a roaring lion
• He is walking around to see who does not have the armor of God on, so he can attack them
Illus: If we received notice from the police department that a vicious lion had escaped from the local zoo a few blocks from our church, I can guarantee you that every one that left this church building would go to their car and be on high alert. Why? Because they know that a vicious lion is nothing to take lightly.
And I can assure you tonight, based on the Word of God, that Satan is on the prowl and that he is no one to play around with. THE DEVIL IS ON THE LOOSE!
We all have one common enemy that hates and despises us. There is not a person in this building that the devil likes. We all share this same common enemy.
But here is the good news; while we all may have the same common enemy, as Christians we all have the same RESOURCES TO DRAW FROM TO OVERCOME HIM.
Look at Eph. 6:10, we read, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.”
To overcome him, there are some things we need to consider.
WE MUST FIRST IDENTIFY THE ENEMY. Let’s look at -
I. SATAN’S ARMY
Look at Eph. 6:12, we read, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Every BIBLE-BELIEVING and BIBLE-PREACHING church today is under the attack of Satan. He is doing everything he can do to destroy or hinder the work of God.
Paul talked about that in 1 Thess. 2:18, he said, “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.”
Satan is doing everything he can to attack the work of God. Remember, he was kicked out of heaven, and one-third of the angels that followed him are still following him today.
• He is organized
• He is clever
• He is deceptive
• He is determined
And the devil and his cohorts are busy every day doing everything they know to do to hinder the work of God.
This is why every Christian needs to:
• Stay on their knees in prayer
• Stay under the preaching of God’s Word
• Stay with the soldiers of God in church
• Stand with God’s man who preaches the Word of God
HERE IS THE PROBLEM! Since people can’t see Satan and his demons, they are not aware that he is surrounding their life each day. His being invisible certainly gives him a tremendous advantage.
Illus: For example, I would not be afraid to fight the biggest and toughest man in the world if I had the advantage of being invisible. I mean it would be fun fighting someone like that if I had that advantage.
We can’t see Satan today, but I assure you that he is here! Let’s look at the -
A. REALITY OF UNSEEN FORCES
Notice verse 12 says his army is not, “…flesh and blood…." In other words we Christians are not fighting an army that consists of flesh and blood. But we can rest assured we are in the midst of the biggest battle of our lives.
While Satan is more than a match for us, I want you to know that Satan is no match for God. You see, Satan does not have God-like attributes. That is:
• SATAN IS NOT OMNIPRESENT
He cannot be everywhere like God can. This is why he must take one-third of the angels that were thrown out of heaven and employ them to carry out his commands.
But God is Omnipresent, He is everywhere.
Illus: Some school children were lined up for lunch. At the head of the line was a large pile of apples. The teacher made a note and had placed it in front of the applies. The note read: "Take only one, God is watching." Further down the cafeteria line was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies...One of the boys had written a note of his own. The note he placed in front of the cookies read: "Take all you want, God is watching the apples."
But the fact is, God is not limited to one location - He SEES ALL!
• SATAN IS NOT OMNIPOTENT
God has all power. You can take all the powerful weapons of mankind and set them off at one time, and it cannot equal the power of God.
Satan is powerful and he is more than a match for us, but be is no match for the Lord.
• SATAN IS NOT OMNISCIENT
God has all knowledge.
Illus: Sometimes people will come to me with a problem and I honestly do not know what the solution is. But no one has ever gone to God with a problem that He did not know what to do. God has all knowledge.
Satan does not, he has ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE.
For thousands of years Satan has been experimenting with mankind, and he knows what will tempt man to sin and what will not. He has acquired this knowledge through the centuries. This gives him a tremendous advantage.
Illus: We who have acquired knowledge over the years, can hear young people talk who have not been around that long. And as they talk we know that they are headed for trouble - it is just a matter of time.
But you have to remember our being here a long time to acquire this knowledge has given us a tremendous advantage over these young folks who have not been around very long.
We are fighting an army that:
• Is Invisible
• Is not flesh and blood
• Has a tremendous advantage over us because Satan has acquired knowledge on how to defeat us for thousands of years
Satan reigns as "prince of this world”.
We looked at the REALITY OF UNSEEN FORCES, but now look at something else, the-
B. RANKS OF UNGODLY FOES
Look at verse 12 again, we read, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
This verse of scripture is telling us that we Christians are fighting, “…against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
This “SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS” is a well organized army. That is, in the army of Satan all the demons in hell know they have a job to do each day and they are busy doing that job.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee states that they have been divided into four divisions.
1. PRINCIPALITIES
These are demons which have the oversight of nations.
2. POWERS
These demons are privates which seek to possess humans.
3. RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD
These are demons in charge of Satan’s worldly business.
4. SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES
These are wicked demons in heavenly places who have charge of religion.
Satan has brought about one of the best organized armies that has ever existed, to lead men into sin and to keep them from God. This is why the apostle Paul is saying to the children of God, “PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD”.
We have identified the enemy - SATAN’S ARMY , but let’s also identify the -
II. SAINTS ARSENAL
Look at Eph. 6:11, we read, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
WHY ARE WE TO PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD?
A. OUR HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY
God tells the soldier of God to put on the whole armor of God, “…That ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
In other words, if you do not, you will be defeated. Notice, Paul did not say, “I think it is a good idea to do this”. This is a command, “Put on the whole armour of God.”
This is OUR RESPONSIBILITY . No one can do it for you, this is your personal responsibility. But the armor we have been asked to “put on” is also -
B. OUR HOLY RELIABILITY
Look at Eph. 6:11, we read, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Look at Eph. 6:13, we read, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Any area left unprotected will be the area where we will experience defeat in our lives. The "whole armour" enables the believer to stand victoriously in the conflict. It both guards, and gives us the ability to overcome the attacks of the enemy.
In this message, let’s examine ONE PIECE of the armor. Look at the-
1. GIRDLE OF TRUTH
Look at verse 14a, we read, "loins girt about with truth.” In Bible days, when the loins were girt about it signified that the individual was PREPARED FOR ACTIVITY.
Look at 1 Pet. 1:13, we read, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Our Savior exhorted us to "let our loins be girt about". (Luke 12:35)
The first piece of armor deals with having our, “Loins girt about with truth.”
Illus: Legend has it that a great General had some of his men go into the enemies camp, and cut their belts during the night while they were asleep. The next morning when they attacked them, they were so busy trying to hold their pants up they could not fight.
The girdle or sash, was always with the ancients an important part of their dress, in WAR as well as in PEACE.
Illus: Barnes Notes say, “They wore loose, flowing robes; and it became necessary to gird them up when they TRAVELED, OR RAN, OR LABORED. The girdle was often highly ornamented, and was the place where they carried their money, their sword, their pipe, their writing instruments etc.” (Barnes Notes, pg. 127).
When we consider the language of this text, we note that this piece is mentioned first in the list of the armor, and that the girdle served two primary purposes.
• It held the breastplate and other clothing in place
• It held the sword
The girdle of truth is a picture of godly, Christ-like character. Without real godly character, there is no hope for appropriating any other part of the armor of God. Truth and integrity in character should always characterize those who name the name of Christ.
• Moody said, "Character, is what you are in the dark."
• Another wise person once said: "When wealth is lost– nothing is lost, when health is lost– something is lost, when character is lost– all is lost."
• Abraham Lincoln said, “Hypocrisy, dishonesty, and deceit will not aid you in facing the battle that is ahead.”
• Someone else very wisely said, “Fame is a vapor, popularity is an occasion, riches take wings and fly fast, those who cheer you today may curse you tomorrow; only one thing will endure– CHARACTER! It alone can hold everything together in the battle. Gird yourselves with truth so that you may be able to stand in the battle.”
Our character always gives way to our reputation. So the first piece of armor we must equip ourselves with is the GIRDLE OF TRUTH.
Illus: This is like playing baseball; if you do not tag first base there is no need to try and tag the others.
HOW DO WE WEAR THE GIRDLE OF TRUTH?
a. SPEECH
Look at Eph. 4:25 "Putting away lying, speak...truth…"
We have on the girdle of truth when we keep our word and perform our vows. Listen, we have Christians today who take all kinds of sacred vows in the church, and they break these vows almost as fast as they make them. But you can watch them and you will see that they are living defeated Christian lives.
When we tell someone we are going to do something and we do not do it, we have lied! Paul said we are to “…put away lying, speak…truth.”
b. SPIRITUAL LIFE
Look at 1 John 1:6,7 "…we lie and do not the truth…"
The church has decided it will do the same things that Hollywood does to draw a crowd. Many of the liberal churches bring in famous athletes, actors and actresses to give their testimonies. Then, next week the same celebrities appear in the night clubs in Las Vegas, or have been admitted to drug addiction recovery facilities to try to get off drugs.
They lie when they say they KNOW HIM and they DO NOT THE TRUTH. When a person says they are in fellowship with God and yet they are walking in deliberate disobedience to God’s revealed word, they are living a life of lies.
The first piece of armor we should put on is the GIRDLE OF TRUTH.
• We speak the TRUTH
• We live the TRUTH
Conclusion:
Each believer should gird himself with a Christ-like character and TRUTH in order to arm themselves against the attacks of Satan.
But there are more pieces of armor, and we will talk about these things in the sermons to come on the “Armor of God”.
