Subject: “The Seven Pieces Armor Of God”
Text: Ephesians 6:10-20-(NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take
your stand against the devil’s schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against the
powers of this dark world and against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when
the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your
ground, and after you have done everything, to
stand.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled
around your waist, with the breastplate of
righteousness in place,
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that
comes from the gospel of peace.
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish all the flaming
arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds
of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert
and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s
people.
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words
may be given me so that I will fearlessly make
known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that
I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Introduction of Text:
As we face these “Uncertain” times, I want to
challenge you by asking this question:
“Is There No Balm In America?”
The simple answer to this question is: “YES!”
Jesus is our New Testament Balm! Just as Jeremiah
asked the question: “Is There No Balm In Gilead?”
Many years ago, Jesus is “America’s Balm” for the
many ills, evils, troubles, problems and tribulations we
are facing in this country. So, I want to encourage the
“Believer,” as we face these “Uncertain” times to use
the “Armor” that the Lord has provided for you in these
“Uncertain” days. Yes, “Put On And Used The Armor
Of God!” Listen, God’s Armor is available to you.
Jesus has already paid the price for God’s Armor.
All you and I have to do is put it on and use it!
The Word of the Lord came to me and told to me to
tell you: “Put On The Whole Armor Of God!”
God gave it to you, so use it! “The Seven Piece Armor
Of God!" I think I ought to tell you that there are:
(5) Defensive Pieces Of Armors and (2) Offensive
Pieces Of Armors. This word “defense” means the act
of guarding from or resisting attack. Let me see if I can
give your two examples of this word “defense.”
1. First, in order to keep something safe that is being
physically attacked, they fought in defense of their country.This is a military example of the word defense!
September 11 attacks, also commonly referred to as 9/11, were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the militant Islamist terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001,
8:46 AM (EDT). Just fewer than 3,000 people loss their
lives that day in America. After 9/11 almost 200,000
Americans enlisted in the military in an effort to defend
this country.
2. Second, If you know anything about (football),
I don’t have to tell you the importance of a good (defense). The Defensive Team, simply known as the “Defense,” is the team that begins a play from scrimmage without the possession of the ball. The objective of the “Defensive Team” is to prevent the other team from scoring and win possession of the ball for their side.
I don’t believe a team can win the Super Bowl without having a good or great defense! Oh, my friend, so it is in the spiritual realm and spiritual world! Child of God, the Lord has given you five Defensive Pieces of Armor to fight with. The question is; are you using them? Use your Armor; use your Armor; use your Armor! The Lord gave it to you; use it for God’s sake! Not only do you have five Defensive Pieces of Armor, but you have two Offensive Pieces of Armor! The word “offense” means the action of attacking someone or something. Again, in “Football” language, the “offense” is the term used to describe the team that has possession of the ball and is advancing toward the opponent's end zone to score points. Now, let me share with you the difference between Offense and Defense in Football: “An offensive player will use force to secure a score and try to eliminate the factors that might prevent them from securing it.” On the other hand, “a defensive player will use force or aggression in order to fight off an attack, make the threat go away, and prevent themselves from being score on.” Listen, it is call “offense” in Football because “the action of attacking or engaging an opposing team with the objective of scoring points!” Oh, my friend, so it is true in the spiritual realm, God has giving you two Offensive Pieces of Armor to fight off the attacks of the Evil One and his Demons! Look again at Verses 11 and 12: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (tricks, deceits) of the devil. 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.” The good news is that the “War” has already been won! Jesus has already won the War! All that we are fighting are little battles, encounters and conflicts! Jesus won the War over 2,000 years ago on a hill call Calvary! I think I need to tell you, you got to use both your Defensive and Offensive Armor. You cannot choose to just play
defense or offense! You must play both sides in the spiritual realm or spiritual world! You must make up in your mind to be a “two-way” Christian! Use your Defensive and Offensive Weapons not just on Sunday…But every day of the Week, 365 days in the year!
Now, let me give you this first Defensive Piece of Armor
for today’s lesson…
1. The Belt Of Truth-(V-14a)
J. B. Phillips New Testament paraphrase says it
like this: “Take your stand then with truth as your belt.”
Oh, I like that, that’s a very good statement to make.
“Take your stand then with truth as your belt.”
This my friend, is the first “Defensive” weapon for the
Believer! The “Belt of Truth” is the first piece of the
“Full Armor of God” to be listed in Ephesians 6:10-20.
This text begins with a warning from Apostle Paul to
“be strong in the Lord and in the power or strength of his
might!” If you are to understand the “Armor of God,”
you must first hold-on to the meaning of this phrase!
“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might!”
You see, your “strength” is not in yourself; your strength
is in the Lord Jesus Christ! I think I ought to tell you,
all the pieces of the armor belong to the Lord and they
come from Him. This armor belongs to the Lord!
Truth, Righteousness, the Gospel, Faith, and Salvation,
all are gifts of God to His people for their “defense!”
These are the five Defensive Weapons that God has given the Believer! All five of these defensive weapons are designed to help you “stand against the schemes, cunning, devious, tricks of the devil.” (Verse 11) Why is it that the “Belt of Truth” comes first in Paul’s list?
Well, the “Belt of Truth” is the first part of the armor
listed because, without truth, you are lost, and the tricks of the devil will surely overpower you! Therefore, it is fitting, right and suitable that “The Belt of Truth” is the first piece of “The Armor of God!” Why? Because Jesus is
“the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6)
My friend, it is only through Jesus that you can come to
God! So, “truth” is of the utmost importance in the life of
a Believer! You see, without “Truth,” the rest of the armor
would be of no use to you because you would not have the “Spirit of Truth!” (John 15:26) God knows, in these
difficult and uncertain days, you must have the “Spirit of
Truth!” I believe when Paul wrote to the Church at
Ephesus about the “Armor of God,” he had in mind the
image of a soldier ready for battle. The belt of a Roman
soldier in Paul’s day was not a simple leather strap like we wear today. Oh, no it was different! It was thick, heavy
leather and metal band with a protective piece hanging
down from the front of it. The belt held the soldier’s sword and other weapons. So it is spiritually, “The Belt of Truth” holds the “Sword of the Spirit” connecting “Truth” and the “Word of God!” (John 17:17) You see, “The Word of God is Truth!” Remember, “The Belt of Truth” is an important piece of “Defensive Armor” guarding your inmost being in the battle against the lies and deceptions of the enemy. (Satan) Without an understanding of truth, you are left weak, defenseless, helpless, exposed, open to, in danger, at risk of being “carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4:14). Friend, “The Belt of Truth” protects you and prepares you for the battle that is part of every Believer’s life! No wonder Jesus said: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
*Permit me to close this teaching on the first piece of armor by telling you what “Truth” is…One of the most deep and forever important questions in the Bible was asked by an Unbeliever! Pilate, the man who gave Jesus over to be crucified, this man turned to Jesus in His final hour, and asked, “What is truth?” It was a rhetorical question, that is to say, a sarcastic, mocking response to what Jesus had just revealed. Jesus said: “I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.”
In other words, I came to give the world “Truth!”
So, what is truth? Well, here’s a simple definition that comes from the Bible: "Truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory, and being of God!" Again: “Truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory, and being of God.” Well, let me try to make it clearer: “Truth is the self-expression of God!”
In other words, “God is Truth!” This is the Biblical meaning of Truth! Because the definition of “Truth” flows from God, truth is theological. You want to find or know “Truth” invite the Lord Jesus Christ into your life!!!
For He is the only “source, basis, cause, foundation,
cradle, birthplace and home” of “Truth!”
Again, the text says: ““Take your stand then with
truth as your belt.” My friend, pick-up and put-on your: “Belt of Truth!”
*Note: If you would like to have the other (6) Messages/Teachings in this Series contact me:
Roy Wade, Sr.
404-949-7146
roysr_@hotmail.com
