The Battle is the Lord’s
Our Arsenal – Part 2
Review: We’ve been examining the reality of spiritual conflict – we’ve become aware of the battle, our adversary in the battle, and today we’ll continue study on our arsenal for the battle.
Trans: We’ve looked at the first 3 pieces of the armor – but let me remind you the armor of God isn’t something you put on everyday like a pair of jeans. It is something you possess as a part of your virtue.
Truth: Each piece is a characteristic and quality reflected in one’s daily life. They are lifestyle characteristics of a sincere faith. They aren’t articles of Christian clothing to be leisurely put on and worn, but convictions and beliefs that are to be lived and maintained as a regular pattern of our lives.
The Belt of Truth – we need to be completely immersed and founded on the truth of God so that we can stand firm against the lies of the devil.
Breastplate of Righteousness – we need to live a righteous and obedient life so that when Satan hurls his accusations at us we are found blameless.
Shoes of Peace – God’s peace provides us w/ the ability to stand against doubt and guilt in our knowledge of God’s power and presence in our lives.
I The Shield of Faith
Insert: Roman soldiers used 2 kinds of shields – one was employed in hand-to-hand combat. The other called a scutum was about 4½ ft tall and 2½ wd.
These shields were made of laminated wood covered w/ hardened leather and lined around the edges w/ metal. These shields were capable of interlocking w/ other shields to create a tortoise shield or moving wall.
Trans: The Bible tells us that our shield is FAITH.
Note: This is not a reference to saving faith or to the body of Christian beliefs – rather it is a reference to living or practical faith – our daily confidence and reliance upon God for guidance, direction, and protection – a daily trust.
Insert: James Paton, missionary to the South Sea, developed the best definition of faith – one day while translating the word “faith” in the native language he was stumped until a native walked into his hut and collapsed in a chair saying, “It is good to rest my whole weight on this chair. Paton immediately heard the statement and rightly translated faith as putting one’s whole weight upon God.
Trans: We all execute a practical faith daily when we drive in our cars, cross over bridges, eat in restaurants – but we don’t all execute spiritual faith or trust in God daily – and this is Paul’s point. Faith in God is far different from faith in things or people. Truth is, faith is only as reliable is the person or thing you are trusting. And there is only one who never fails – Jesus!
Trans: The shield of faith works to extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one as we practice confidence in God, courage in standing, and community in caring.
A A Shield of Confidence
Question: What do you have confidence in? What do you place all of your weight?
Truth: Our shield against the devil’s attack is our daily living faith that God will keep His promises as we trust and obey His leading.
Note: Our shield is not in living the way we want in the hope that God will bail us out when we get into trouble. It is not found in living continually in a perpetual state of sin. It is in placing all our trust in Him (putting all our weight on the truth of His Word and character through obedience).
Insert: Faith and obedience go hand-in-hand. You can’t have one w/out the other.
But faith must be put in the right place – in God.
Verse: As for God, His way is perfect; The Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 2 Sm. 22:31
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your Word. Ps. 119:114.
Every word of God is pure; He’s a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Pr. 30:5
Point: The best way to extinguish the darts of the devil is to believe and obey God. We must have complete confidence in who He is and in His power.
B A Shield of Courage
Trans: Notice why we need the shield of faith – the enemy is shooting arrows at us to defeat us and we need to shield to quench all his fiery darts. Our faith gives us the courage to stand in times of temptation.
Insert: In Paul’s day, archers wrapped the tips of their arrows w/ cloth and dip them in a pitch or tar-like substance, then set them on fire. On impact, the pitch would spatter and burn anything that was not flame retardant.
Trans: In the same way, the devil shoots flaming arrows that on impact have the capacity to not only destroy us, but also anyone person in close proximity.
1 Arrows of Disappointment and Discontent
Idea: Your marriage is not the utopia you envisioned – you feel unfulfilled and incomplete – so in your disappointment you think for looking for fulfillment in someone else. Your child does something that you don’t approve and in your disappointment you withdraw you affection – Satan pierced you.
2 Arrows of Lust and Longing
Idea: You are alone in the motel room w/ access to pornography – Your co-worker seems to be more attractive and understanding than your mate.
3 Arrows of Doubt and Dismay
Idea: You’ve been divorced – you’ve lost your job – you’re facing a terrible illness – and you’re asking, “Does God care?”
4 Arrows of Criticism and Condemnation
Idea: Satan uses a friend or church member to deliver a cutting and destructive word of discouragement or criticism – and the words cut like a knife.
C Shield of Community
Note: Understanding that we are in a hand-to-hand struggle w/ the devil and his legions, it is interesting that the shield referred to in this text is not the small Roman shield, but rather the larger war shield. I believe this suggests that we are not to fight alone in battle – we must fight linked to other believers.
Idea: It is highly unlikely that any Christian can stand firm in their faith for a long period of time w/out faltering w/out the support, accountability, and compassion of like-minded Christians – We need one another. You need me and I need you. (Look at your neighbor and share this idea w/ a smile).
Story: Man out of church who receives a visit from the pastor – in their talk, the man gives his reason for quitting – says he doesn’t need church – pastor notices a fire – w/draws a coal – as it dies he shows the man his need.
II The Helmet of Salvation
Trans: The 5th piece of the armor is the helmet. Some helmets were made of thick leather covered w/ metal plates and others were made of molded metal. The purpose of the helmet is obvious – to protect the head from injury.
Note: Satan attacks us on many levels – but his mental attacks on the validity of our faith through apostasy and false teaching is crippling for many.
Insert: I’ve heard of countless people who’ve been swept away into cults b/c they didn’t understand their faith and were led astray. In fact, Mormons and JW boast that they have a large number of converts from Baptist.
Note: I believe the helmet refers to the mind controlled by God. Having both knowledge and understanding of the precepts of God and His word coupled w/ a willingness to surrender and obey allows God to control our minds.
We need to know why we believe what we believe. Satan’s goal is to cause
us to lose heart b/c we cannot be certain of God’s of what we believe.
Note: We’re in a battle for the mind. Rom. 12 tells us our minds must be transformed by being renewed. Renewal only comes to through study and obedience to the Word.
Trans: Possessing a depth and understanding of our faith is imperative. Satan is on the prowl seeking whom he may devour – and the best way to trip up a child of God is to get them to question the reality and validity of their faith.
Story: Vietnam POW’s – men who survived the horrors of captivity b/c they developed a mental shield of truth to combat the enemies lies. Daily the Vietnamese would pump propaganda into their cells telling the soldiers the U. S. government was corrupt and had abandoned them, their friends and family had forgotten about them or considered them dead, and their wives had divorced them – all ploys to cause these men to crack and give up vital information. Many of these men developed ways to shield themselves from the lies. One was a pianist who wrote who played concerts in his mind. One was an architect who designed hundreds of buildings. One was a golfer who replayed every hole he had ever played. These men blocked the lies of the enemy w/ their mental Helmet of truth – they ceased fighting a physical battle, but never stopped fighting the battle of the mind and spirit. We must do the same in our spiritual battle w/ Satan.
A Salvation Equips Us w/ a Calm Assurance
Insert: Have you ever watched an 8 year old put on a football helmet? They become Kamikazes. Why? B/c they feel invincible.
Note: The reality and certainty of our salvation gives us confidence b/c we know that no matter what happens we have assurance in victory b/c of the cross. Of course, we must not be foolish – but we can have confidence.
B Salvation Equips Us w/ a Blessed Assurance
Verse: A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. Jn. 10:10
• The Hope of Eternal Life
• The Hope of Abundant Life
III The Sword of the Spirit
Note: The sword used by Roman soldiers was 18” long and dual edged – designed for close quartered hand-to-hand combat. Our sword is the Word of God.
A Folding the Sword
1 The Word is a SPIRITUAL Weapon
Quote: The Bible is an armory of heavenly weapons, a laboratory of infallible medicines, a mine of exhaustless wealth. It is a guidebook for every road, a chart for every sea, a medicine for every malady and a balm for every wound. Rob us of our Bible and our sky has lost it’s sun. Thomas Guthrie
2 The Word is a POWERFUL Weapon
Verse: The word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing evenly to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hb. 4:12
3 The Word is a NECESSARY Weapon
Idea: Most of us would say “Amen” to what I have shared w/ you about God’s Word, but it is not our “Amen’s” that have meaning, but our obedience.
Note: Many churches claim allegiance to the Word, but preach w/ a closed Bible.
Many people clamor hang the 10 commandments, but can’t recite 5 of them.
B Wielding the Sword
Insert: I’ve shared several times before – it is not a coincidence that at the time of Jesus’ temptation that the only thing he used to combat Satan was Scripture.
1 READ the Word
Idea: Get into the Word – allow it to seep into the nook and crannies of your life.
2 RUMINATE the Word (Meditate)
Idea: To meditate upon and to absorb every nutrient.
Verse: Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf shall not wither; and whatever he does will prosper. Ps. 1:1-3
3 REALIZE the Word (Measure)
Idea: Study the word – don’t just skim the surface – dig deep.
Verse: Study to show yourself approved of God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed who handles w/ accuracy the word of truth. 2 Tm. 2:15
4 REMEMBER the Word (Memorize)
Verse: Thy Word I have hid in my heart that I may not sin against Thee. Ps. 119
Idea: In having the Word memorized we have a loaded weapon against the devil.
5 RECITE the Word (Mouth)
Idea: Speak the Word to others – share it’s truth w/ others.
6 REFLECT the Word (Manage)
Idea: Live the Word – applies it truths to your life through obedient living.
Verse: So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you. Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. If you listen to the word, but do not put it into practice you are like people who look in a mirror and see themselves as they are. They take a good look at themselves and then go away and at once forget what they look like. But if you look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, and keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice. Jm. 1:21-25
Insert: We have everything we need for life and godliness planted in our character.
Conc: When the coal truck delivered a ton of coal on the sidewalk in front of her house, a little London girl took her shovel and began carry the coal into the basement. When a neighbor man saw her, he told her, “You’ll never be able to get it all in,” she replied, “Oh, I will sir, if I work long enough!”
Truth: The test of a person’s character is measured by what it takes to stop them.
