Spiritual Armor for Spiritual Warfare

By Dr. Hal Harless

Foundation Fellowship of Greenville

October 7, 2007

I. Introduction

A. Please turn to Eph 6:10.

B. While you are turning ...

Martin Luther was once asked how he overcame the Devil. He replied, "Well, when he comes knocking on the door of my heart, and asks, 'Who lives here?' the Lord Jesus goes to the door and says, 'Martin Luther used to live here but he has moved out. Now I live here!' The Devil, seeing the nailprints in My hands and My pierced side, takes flight immediately."

C. Read Eph 6:10-20.

II. Spiritual Armor for Spiritual Warfare (Eph 6:10-20)

A. Background

1. Ephesians is a prison epistle.

2. Paul drew on his Roman guard for an illustration of spiritual warfare.

B. Who is the enemy? (Eph 6:10-12)

1. The strength to fight comes from God (read Eph 6:10)

a. "Strength of His might"--Paul has to use two Gk. words to express God's power.

b. We do not stand in our own power; this army runs on the power of God.

2. The enemy (read Eph 6:11-12)

a. The Devil (Eph 6:11)

1) The purpose of putting on the whole armor of God is not to advance, but to stand in the victory that is already won at the cross.

2) "Schemes" is the Gk. methodias.

b. Wicked spiritual beings (Eph 6:11)

1) "Not against flesh and blood"--Do not focus on the people; the real battle is spiritual.

2) The enemy is organized.

3) Combat is to the death!

3. The armor (Eph 6:13-20)

a. Full Armor (read Eph 6:13)

1) "Full armor"--No missing pieces.

2) The Gk. word translated "resist" (antistēnai) is related to the Gk. for "stand firm" (stēnai).

a) We resist by standing firmly.

b) Watchman Nee's book, Sit, Walk, Stand.

3) "Evil day"--We are in a war zone!

b. Belt of truth (read Eph 6:14a)

1) The belt holds together all the pieces of the armor.

2) God's Word is truth (John 17:17).

3) We must believe God's truth or our armor will not hang together.

c. Breastplate of righteousness (read Eph 6:14b)

1) The breastplate stops sword blows to the vital chest area.

2) "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21 NASB).

d. Sandals (read Eph 6:15)

1) Roman soldiers had hob nailed sandals to keep them from loosing their footing.

2) "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God" (Rom 5:1-2).

3) Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful" (John 14:27).

e. Shield of faith (read Eph 6:16)

1) The Roman was a large square shield that could be linked together with other soldiers' shields.

2) Trust in God no matter what comes will put out Satan's flaming arrows.

f. Helmet of salvation (read Eph 6:17a)

1) The helmet protects the soldier from a blow to the head.

2) If we are uncertain about our eternal destiny, Satan will mess with our head!

a) "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).

b) Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life" (John 5:24).

g. Sword of the Spirit (read Eph 6:17b)

1) The Roman sword or gladius was an innovation in that it had two edges as well as a point. Therefore, it was good for slicing in either direction as well as thrusting. It also was relatively short (18-24 inches). The Romans excelled at close quarters sword fighting.

2) "For the word (logos) of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. " (Heb 4:12).

3) The Gk. word translated "Word" is rhēma, which means spoken word.

4) In Luke 4:1-13, Jesus spoke the word to defeat the Devil. He applied it to the situation.

h. Prayer (the javelin?) (read Eph 6:18-20)

1) The only missing piece of armor is the javelin or spear.

2) Perhaps this is prayer.

3) "Pray at all times"--Could also be translated "pray at all kinds of times."

4) "Times" is the Gk. kairos ("strategic times"), not chronos.

5) The Gk. word translated "perseverance" means "unremitting persistence.

6) "On my behalf"--If the great apostle Paul needed prayer, how much more do we.

7) Illustration about the church and little old lady who prayed.

III. Applications

A. The enemy is Satan not people.

B. Make sure that you have your armor on before you go into battle.

1. God's truth

2. God's righteousness

3. God's peace

4. God's salvation

5. God's word

6. Prayer to God