"Our Battle Armor!"
"Knowing Our Enemy" series - Part 5 of 7
Text: Eph. 6:13-15 & Selected
Cross Creek Community Church
July 23, 2000
God’s Word is Powerful, Relevant, and Up to Date!
Ephes. 6:13-15
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. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."
We are engaged in a spiritual battle. It is as if the school bully has called us outside to fight. Like it or not, we must deal with the situation.
This threat is somewhat different. The apostle says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." We are not engaged in a physical battle which we can fight with physical weapons. We are engaged in a supernatural, spiritual battle which requires a new weaponry. We cannot fight in our own strength. To do so would mean sure defeat.
To attempt to fight in our own strength would be like attacking a forrest fire with a squirt gun. It would be like attempting to slay a lion with a fly swatter. To attempt to defeat the devil in our own strength is like attempting to catch an elephant with a butterfly net.
Spiritual warfare needs spiritual weapons.
Paul imprisoned and chained to Roman soldiers saw close up and personal the armor and weaponry which they possessed. He then applied it in a "spiritual" sense, with our enemy, the devil.
It is essential for us to see the importance of this armor. We are required to put on this armor and understand how to use it. The alternative is that we go down to defeat. Without this armor we are in danger. With this armor we emerge victorious.
TO PUT ON:
The Belt of Truth
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist
Wide thick leather belt helped to hold together the rest of the armor.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds (gird up) for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
His belt gathered his armor together and secured his sword to his side. The belt also served to secure long garments so that they would not interfere with fighting. The belt tied it all together.
* Preparedness, serious
1. Truth is CHRIST. John 14:6
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
* God’s Word is truth - "All scripture is by Inspiration of God" - God breathed. Reliable, trustworthy.
* John 1:1 & John 14:6 Truth is a person - Jesus Christ, Truth is the living Christ.
* John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and dwelled amongst us."
2. Truth is ESSENTIAL. Prov. 23:23
Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.
* Knowledge of biblical teaching is essential - without it you will be carried into error & sin.
* An attitude of truthfulness, being open and honest, genuine.
* Where would we be without God’s Word? Out in no man’s land, without hope, direction, lost.
* Road map to Christ - tells us many things. Rom 10:17
3. Truth never CHANGES. Heb. 13:8
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
* Even if we don’t believe it, truth is truth - it never changes
* Being renewed in your mind - a commitment to God’s truth, your enemy will sow lies.
* In science, the two laws of thermodynamics. 1) Energy and matter cannot be created or destroyed. 2) Universe is winding down, wearing out, not getting better.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Essential armor which protected the vital organs.
The heart, lungs, kidneys, stomach, and other organs were covered by this vital piece of armor. A heavy leather garment with metal, animal hooves/horns attached to it. The point which Paul is making is that the breastplate of righteousness is essential for the Christian to avoid a mortal wound. Like a bullet proof vest today - protect the vitals, namely the heart. The Christians heart is Satan’s primary target. Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Ancient Jewish people believed the heart represented the mind and will, the bowels represented the emotions and feelings. Both are areas the devil will fiercely attack us believers.
1. This is putting on PRACTICAL Righteousness. Col. 3:9-14
Col. 3:9-14 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
* We stand in the righteousness of Christ not in our own, for we have non.
* The practical working out of our imputed righteousness.
* This is our daily, moment by moment obedience to Christ.
2. Righteousness protects us from EVIL. Eph 4:24-27
Ephes. 4:24-27 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold.
* When we are living clean, holy lives - it’s hard for Satan to deliver anything but superficial blows.
* The more will serve the Lord, obey him the stronger we are to fend off the enemy.
* Stay as close to the Lord as you can, walk in purity of life - practical righteousness.
3. Righteousness produces JOY. Heb 1:9
Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."
Tony Evans tells the story of a young boy who went fishing. While searching for bait, he found a nest of small red worms. As he picked one up and placed it on his hook, the worm bit him. It hurt a lot, but the boy shrugged off the pain, dropped the line in the water and soon caught a fat catfish. He reached for another worm and that worm also bit him. This time the pain wasn’t so bad and he soon had another catfish. He repeated this several times. After a while, he began to feel ill and his hands were hurting badly. He decided to walk home. When he got out on the road, he felt bad, he sat down with that huge string of fish. A passing motorist saw him and offered him a ride. He was curious about how he had caught all those fish. The boy told him about the red worms he had found, and when the man looked at his hands he knew immediately what had happened. He rushed him to the hospital, but it was too late, the child died on the way. Those worms were actually baby rattlesnakes. Each successive bite, though less painful, added more of the deadly venom into his system until he was overcome. That’s how Satan attacks our heart. "Little", seemingly insignificant things. That’s why we need to put on the "breastplate" of practical righteousness.
* We loved righteousness and God has anointed us with His oil of joy!
* Lack of obedience produces a lack of joy.
* God wants our joy to be full and complete:
"These things we write to you that your joy may be full" (1 John 1:4).
John MacArthur writes:
Many if not most of the emotional and relational problems Christians experience are caused by lack of personal holiness. Many of our disappointments and discouragements do not come from circumstances or from other people but from our own unconfessed and uncleansed sin. And when circumstances and other people do manage to rob us of happiness, it is because we are unprotected by the armor of a holy life. In either case the cause of unhappiness is our own sin... Unholy living does not rob us of salvation, but it robs us of salvation’s joy (p.353).
* Remember the joy of the Lord is our strength!
The Shoes of Peace
15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."
Specialized boot for holding your ground, protection and action.
Today’s specialized shoes: Tennis, baseball, golf, jogging, dress, casual, hiking, fishing, waders, combat, etc.
The Roman soldier wore a certain kind of shoe. It was an open-toed spiked shoe which laced up past his ankles. We are all well aware of the importance of shoes for a variety of different purposes. There are dress shoes, work shoes, athletic shoes, and even bedroom slippers. These different types of shoes serve different purposes. The Roman soldier’s shoe was an important piece of equipment. It served much the same purpose as a football player’s spiked shoe. It was made to help the soldier stand his ground and advance. He needed traction. Most of the combat was hand-to-hand. Armies would surge toward one another and be locked in mortal combat. A soldier could not afford to be pushed backwards. He could not afford to slip down. And neither can we.
The good news of peace:
* "Preparation" - readiness, to climb, run, jump, kick, march, fight - whatever is necessary.
* To stand firm - holding your ground.
1. Peace WITH God. Rom 5:1
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
* Our relationship to our God is restored because of Christ - we are reconciled to God.
* We now can enjoy fellowship and peace knowing our sins are forgiven and we have made peace with God.
2. Peace OF God. Philip. 4:7
Philip. 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
* We experience His peace through life’s struggles, pains, trials and in different circumstances.
* The Lord gives us cool, calm assurance of His peace to handle whatever may come our way.
* "Be strong in the Lord, and the power of His might" Eph 6:10
3. Peace ENABLES us to stand firm. 2Thes 3:16
2 Thes. 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
* We can stand firm, not slip and slide.
* Heard it said, "get a grip" - not tossed here and there, all around.
* Having the peace of knowing Christ produces stability in life.
The first three pieces of armor we put on. Our next message we TAKE UP some additional armor. Then we will look at our secret weapon - prayer! (Eph. 6:18-20)
Let us lift up our eyes to the spiritual warfare that surrounds us. Be aware of the attacks that Satan has been making against you. Understand the damage he is doing to your soul. Examine your armor. Consider your level of preparation and training. Put on God’s armor and go to war. Our victory in Christ is already assured, but you must fight if you wish to join in the march of triumph.
* We are in a battle with a real enemy, whether you know this or not.
* We desperately need Spiritual armor for protection against our everyday enemy.
* We can depend on our Lord for victory in this battle.
Are you in the army of God? God wants all men and women everywhere to be saved and to join Him in this battle. Our lives are short, the battle is raging: Put on The Belt of Truth, The Breastplate of Righteousness, and Shoes of Peace.
The eternal benefits are OUT OF THIS WORLD!
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