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Spiritual Warfare - The Armor Of God
Contributed by Arlen Payne on Apr 26, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: We must be prepared for the attacks of Satan. To be prepared we much put on the "whole armor of God" and learn to use the weapons God gave us to thwart his attacks.
Prepare for Attack
Ephesians 6:10-20
Intro.
Over the last few weeks it seems like just about
everyone is going through something.
Something with health
Something with finances
Something this family
Something with relationships
I think we are under some kind of Satanic attack.
Frank Billie - “the devil work to much”
Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus
They were being attacked because of the Gospel
By idolatry
By the silversmiths who made the idols
By phony preachers saying they had the power
of God, but only trying to make money.
Paul writes to encourage them.
I. Our position
A. Strength
1. Not our own strength
2. The strength God gives us.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of
my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1 KJV)
3. BE STRONG IN THE LORD
a. Walking close to Him
b. Leaning on Him.
c. Trusting Him
B. Power in HIS might
“God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongs unto God.”(Psalm 62:11 KJV)
1. Power is defined as the ability to do work.
2. There is no one and no thing that is more powerful than our God.
C. Our stand.
1. We are to stand up to Devil, not flee from him.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
(James 4:7 KJV)
2. Properly prepared in the armor of God
3. Take your stand.
a. Don’t give up
b. Don’t give in
c. Don’t back down
d. STAND!
II. Opposition. Vs.
A. NOT flesh and blood. Vs. 12
B. The wiles of the Devil.
1. Wiles - “methods”
2. His schemes to bring us down.
…for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Cor. 2:11
C. Principalities.
1. People who are over us.
2. From the idea of a prince in charge of a particular area.
3. Roman leaders, like Pontus Pilate, or Herod
D. Powers
1. Similar to principalities
2. Those who would have power over us
E. Rulers of darkness - demons
F. Spiritual wickedness.
1. Fortune tellers.
a. Astrologers - (stars)
b. Psychics
2. People who would try speaking to the dead.
3. People claiming power to change things.
a. Healers
b. Alchemists - change things into gold. (scammers)
III. Our Preparation. Vs. 13
A. The armor of God.
1. Put it on!
2. It will help you to stand. Vs. 12
B. The parts.
1. Loins girt about with truth.
a. A type of belt.
b. Surround yourself with truth.
2. Breastplate of righteousness.
a. A piece of armor that protects the chest.
b. The righteousness we have in Christ.
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV)
3. Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.
a. Gospel shoes.
b. Ready to go preach it.
4. The shield of Faith
a. Believing God.
b. Believing He will do what He says He will do.
c. Total trust
d. It will put out the fiery darts of the wicked.
1. It stop the attacks of Satan.
2. Like a fire, it just puts them out.
e. When you’re trusting God, Satans attacks cannot harm you beyond what God might allow. (Job)
5. The Helmet of Salvation.
a. Are you saved?
b. Have you trusted Christ as your Savior?
C. Our weapons
1. The Sword - The word of God.
a. Satan hates the truth
b. Satan runs from the truth
c. This is how Jesus rebuked Satan in the wilderness; He just kept giving the Devil the
Word of God.
d. It is sharp and powerful
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)
2. Prayer. Vs. 18
a. Praying always
b. Praying earnestly
c. Praying for each other
3. Standing guard. - Watching. Vs. 18
a. Watching all the time.
b. With perseverance. - don’t let your guard down.
c. Jesus told us to “watch and pray” Mark 13:33
Conclusion
How do you put on the armor of God?
Answer: by doing all these things
1. Belt - Surround yourself with Truth
2. Breastplate - Believe God for His righteousness
3. Feet shod - Be prepared to God preach
4. Shield - Trust the Lord
We stand in His strength and power
5. The helmet of salvation.
Make sure you’ re really saved.
Be sure of your salvation
Read the Word of God - the sword - carry the sword.
Pray
Watch
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10 KJV)