Eph 6:10-17 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm.

The Armor of GodEphesians 6:10-17

• “God does not clothe Christians with strength and power without earnest effort on their part and without their making just such efforts and doing just what he commands. The spiritual or inner man becomes strong only by experience, God has thus prepared and furnished armor to be used by the Christian soldier. It is composed of weapons both offensive and defensive. Those which would ward off blows of the enemy and with which they are to strike offensive blows to conquer that same enemy.”

• Eph 6:10-17• 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put

on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.12 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. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able  resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firtom.14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Spiritual Combat

• “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”• 2 Corinthians 10:3-4• “…we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our

warfare are not of the flesh…”• This is a spiritual war, we aren’t trying to win land or riches, we

are trying to win souls for God’s kingdom.• The fleshly side of things takes care of itself if we can win the

spiritual war.

Spiritual Combat

• The devil is our enemy, not other people.• 2 Timothy 2:24-26• “…they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the

devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”• We are told to be soldiers but we are also told to be held to

conduct that is free from bitterness and anger. • We fight not to destroy but to build up. To persuade those that are

opposed to God.• Everyone must choose a side, this fight will include everyone.

The FULL Armor

“Girding your loins with Truth”

• Girding ones loins gives strength and stability.• When you are girded with truth, everything else is held in place. • 1 Corinthians 13:6 “…Love rejoices in truth;”• Paul never lied about his past, even though it would have helped

him in the physical realm. • What kind of impact might you have when people know you, and

know what kind of person you are, and how you have dealt with mistakes in your life?

“Having put on the Breastplate of Righteousness”

• Righteousness is the standard on our chest. It shows who we fight for.• Is it glistening in the sun? Is righteousness in your life this

obvious, or are you ashamed of the principles that you will boldly claim around other Christians?• We must practice it, hone it, or it will become easily tarnished.

“Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace”

• The Christian warrior must not leave their feet unprotected.• If our feet are not protected, our steps will falter. • What then does it mean to be shod with the preparation of the gospel

of peace?• ALWAYS be ready for a defense for the challenges presented us in our

daily lives.

“…taking up the shield of faith…”

“…taking up the shield of faith…”

• The shields were used together, not independently of one another.• My shield of faith depends on yours, and vice versa.• When my faith is weak, it is a weakness to everyone.• Satan wont take it easy on the one Christian out by himself.

“and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit…”• The helmet protects your mind. • It protects you from arguments against God that seem logical to

others.• Similar to the breastplate, the helmet shows who we represent.• Do you wear your helmet like your proud of it? • In the hands of a trained Christian, the sword of the Spirit can help

guide those who are lost.