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WHY BELIEVERS NEED TO PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD TO DEFEAT SATAN AND HIS WORKERS OF DARKNESS 2
Ephesians 6:11-18
WHAT ARE BELIEVERS FIGHTING AGAINST ?
Paul wrote: “
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
” Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
Satan’s kingdom of darkness and its government:
How do we prepare for the battle ? With God’s Armor against all the attacks of the enemy :
PUTTING ON THE ARMOR :
Belt of Truth: Given by the Spirit 6:14
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth.
He leads you into all truth.
He brings to your remembrance all that Jesus has taught.
The truth the Spirit gives you shall make you free from the enemy’s deceptions. John 14:17, 26, John 16:13
Breastplate of Righteousness: Given by Jesus Christ 6:14
Righteousness by faith in Jesus — Philippians 3:9
Christ, the end of the Law for righteousness — Romans 10:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21;
You, as a soldier of God, cannot come to the battle with any other covering or breastplate but Christ’s righteousness — 1 Cor. 1:30 [All our righteous acts are like filthy rags — Is. 64:6]
Feet Fitted with the Gospel of Peace: Commissioned by Jesus Christ 6:15
As a soldier of Christ, your feet are ready to walk into the enemy’s territory and engage him in the battle for lost souls who are trapped and in bondage — Romans 10:13-17
You have been commissioned to proclaim the gospel of salvation — Mark 16:15-18
You are bringing the Gospel of peace to those who have no peace — Romans 5:1; Eph. 2:17-18
The Defense Piece — Shield of Faith: Promises given by God 6:16
In the battle, have faith to stand on the promises from God — Hebrew 11:32-34
The promise from Jesus for believers in the battle — Luke 10:18-19
Unless you know God’s promises and truth, you will suffer the consequences of the enemy’s attacks:
“Therefore my people have gone into captivity,
Because they have no knowledge” Is. 5:13 NKJV
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 NKJV
You must know what God has given you as a believer in the Body of Christ — 2 Cor. 1:20
The Helmet of Salvation: Given by Christ 6:17
It identifies you as a soldier in the Lord’s army.
It identifies you as one who will be saved from God’s end-time wrath — the Hope of Salvation: “
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
” 1 Thess. 5:8-9.
As a final point, the helmet covers you from the enemy’s attack on your mind — Romans 12:2; 1 Cor. 2:16
FIGHTING BACK WITH: The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God: 6:17
Jesus teaches the believers how to use the Sword of the Word effectively — Luke 4:4; 4:8; 4:12
James shows how not to fall for the devil’s ploys: James 4:7
When the attack comes, turn to God’s Word to see what He declares.
Submit yourself to God’s Word.
Receive God’s truth by faith and declare it — this is very important!
Do not accept the devil’s deceptive attacks.
Resist! The devil will have to go.
Peter gives a warning about ignoring the devil and his many traps:
“
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith.
” 1 Peter 5:8
Sober = serious, clearheaded
Vigilant = watchful, alert, on your guard
Adversary =enemy, foe, opponent
Devour = consume, eat greedily
“
Resist him, steadfast in the faith.
” Peter repeats what James stated. We must use the Word of God against the enemy and stand firm on what the Lord declares in His Word — the enemy has to go.
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