Ephesians 6: The Armor of God

 

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11 Clothe yourselves with the armor He has given you to fight the battle against the deceptions of the evil one.

Title: The Armor of God

10 I have some concluding thoughts for you. Keep believing in Yahweh and let Him strengthen you.

 

Keep believing God is lovingly on your side.

Let Him strengthen you to choose good.

 

Each day, and every time you think about it, ask Jesus to be with you.

Ask Him to help you choose to do good over evil.

You are free to choose, choosing good is seldom easy.

You can choose, counteract temptation with the Word, resist the devil.

Our battle is never about other people or the circumstances, it is a battle with evil.

11 Clothe yourselves with the armor He has given you to fight the battle against the deceptions of the evil one.

God has provided armor for us, to help us in the offense and the defense of the battle we will face each day.

The armor is a combination between offense weapons we can use to combat evil (2 Cor. 10:4) and defensive and evasive techniques we can use to avoid evil.

 

12 Keep in mind, this battle is not against any earthly powers or people, but against the spiritual struggle for our faith. The fight is against the rulers and powers of evil, against the invisible forces of darkness, and against those who still live in the heavenly places but stand in opposition to the LORD our God.

 

Our battle is never about other people or the circumstances, it is a battle with evil. Our “fight is against the rulers and powers of evil, against the invisible forces of darkness, and against those who still live in the heavenly places but stand in opposition to the LORD our God.”

 

Our battle is against the schemes of the devil, the sin of the world, and the demonic influences around us. They come in the form of temptations, flaming darts, trying to lead us astray.

“Stay awake and alert because we have an adversary. The devil lurks around in life like a great lion, seeking to devour those who choose to do good. We have the strength from God, in our faith, to resist the devil’s temptations and we know that we are not alone in these temptations, others around the world experience the same.” (1 Peter 5:8,9 EBV)

 

 

People give us opportunities to love and forgive others as God has loved and forgiven us. We need to see people as others who need the love of God.

The circumstances of life are opportunities for good works, adventures which God has placed in our path for our good. (Eph. 2:10) We need to see the circumstances we go through as being beneficial to strengthening our faith, giving us the needed practice at being His children.

Each choice we make, each decision we struggle with, each temptation we deal with, they all give us the opportunity to demonstrate our faith in Jesus and His power over the evil in this world.

 

Spiritual Warfare is a term used to describe this battle we have with the unseen forces of life. It is not our spouses, our children, our parents, our bosses, our neighbors, our politicians, or even the evil people in this world. It is against the evil one behind the scenes.

Not the surface issues and concerns that make us angry, or create disputes, it is not against the other political party, or organizations,

It is the principalities and powers that fight against our loving God every moment of existence. (Daniel 7:27; Eph. 1:21; 2:2)

 

How do we recognize this battle?

Acknowledge that what we see is not the battle, the person or the circumstance is not the enemy.

Look within and ask how we are doing with managing our situation with the love and mercy of Jesus our Lord.

 

How do we fight this battle?

 

Put on the armor.

 

13 When you put on the armor of God each day you gain the faith that is needed to fend off the temptations and lurings of the evil one. In doing this you will be able to stand firm in your faith.

 

i.e., you will have the needed strength to continue to believe.

 

14 Here is how to put on the armor.

a)   Every day, agree to abide as best you can in the Words of truth,

 

Every day, accept God’s Word as the truth that counteracts the lies, untruths, distortions, speculations, and confusions we find in our heads and in our society. FUD, fear, uncertainty, doubt. God says, “I, Yahweh, declare that I have plans for your future and they are plans that will bring good your way instead of harm or pain. I desire for you to have an abundant life, and a lasting hope. (Jeremiah 29:11. EBV)

 

b)   and accept that your righteousness is not based upon your own works but on the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.

 

It is not about how well you can be good and do the right thing, it is about letting Jesus guide you towards the loving, caring, merciful acts of life as you go about your day. Just look for Him and follow Him.

c)    15 Then before you leave the house in the morning, rehearse for yourself the good news of what a difference Jesus has made in your life, so you are ready to tell others about His work in you.

 

How great is the good news to you? Do you remember what you were like before Jesus and how He has made you new? Who do you know who needs the forgiveness of Jesus? Can you offer them His forgiveness today in some simple way?

 

d)   16 The only shield you have against the evil one’s temptations is knowing you belong to Jesus and have the freedom to choose good over evil in every decision.

 

Faith is what overcomes the world. Faith is the confidence that God has helped in the past and will help again in the future. I have no need for evil in my life, just Jesus.

 

e)   17 Remember, you are a saved child of the King, do not forget that.

 

You have been saved from the evil of this world for a future in God’s family and in His kingdom. You are protected from death, at least eternal death. We are free from fear of the uncertainty of the future. For God is with us every step of the way.

 

f)     And make the effort to think about the Word of God every chance you have. Memorize at least one verse to recite whenever you feel tempted.

 

The offensive weapon of our armor is the sword of God’s Word. Memorize it and speak it in the midst of the confusion of this world, it will be a voice of reason in the midst of the tempting pleasures around us.

 

g)   18 Wherever you find yourself, you can always pray. Pray for yourself, your situation, the people you love, and those around you. As things happen around you or you hear about circumstances, pray. 19 And I want you to pray for me and also ask others to pray for you so you will have opportunities to open your mouth boldly with the good news of Jesus. Explain to others as clearly as you can the mystery of God’s love. 20 I thank God that I can be His ambassador in every circumstance, even in my prison cell. Would you help me to have what I need to speak boldly about my LORD?

 

And another weapon of warfare is Prayer, the freedom to talk directly with the Father in heaven. God says we should pray. Call on me and I will answer. I will help you, ask and it will be given. You have not, because you ask not. Pray expecting, pray for everything, persevere. Pray for yourself, for others, for governmental leaders, for God’s will to be done. Pray.

 

21 I am sending Tychicus to you so you will know about my condition. He is my friend and brother and has a strong faith in Jesus. He will answer all of your questions. 22 I have asked him to carry this letter to you so your hearts might be encouraged and comforted.

 

23 I bless you, and all the followers you meet, with the peace of God our Father and the kindness of His love in all of your actions. 24 May all of you be filled with a true knowledge of His grace to you.

 

 

Pastor Edd Breeden