Take your Stand – with the armor of God
Long before you and I were born, there has been a WAR between GOOD and EVIL.
(1 John 5.19) (Colossians 1.13)
But thanks be to God! He gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, STAND FIRM. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:57-58)
The Book of Ephesians: We are reconciled to the father, heirs to the promises of God, able to approach Him with confidence, urged to live a life worthy of our calling, equipped for service, not tossed back and forth by the waves, blown here and there by every teaching, speaking the truth in love, putting off our old self, corrupted by the desires of our flesh, putting on our new self, made new in the attitude of our minds, born again and created to be like god in true righteousness and holiness, following god’s example, as dearly-loved children, walking in the ways of love,
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV)
The best way to understand life is to see it as the Bible sees it.
-Jesus called the devil “a liar and the father of lies”
-The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4.4)
-But Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8.31-32)
The schemes of the devil are threats, lies, and empty promises.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:13 ESV)
Put on the FULL armor of God.
- Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth… (Ephesians 6:14 ESV)*
Your belt holds everything together. (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT)
Your belt holds your weapon up – so it’s ready. (Romans 12:2)
The STRATEGY of the devil is to oppose the work of God.
The TARGET of the devil is marriage, children, and church (1 Peter 5.8)
The TACTIC of the devil is to lie, censor, and play loose with the truth. (Luke 6.43)
The war is inside as much as it is outside (Gal 5.17) (Romans 8.10) (James 4.7)
…and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14 ESV)
Above all else, guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23–26)
PUT ON THE PROMISES OF GOD like a Breastplate of Righteousness.
You have the Righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5.21)
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:15 ESV)
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony (Revelation 12.11 KJV)
* God, through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…we are ambassadors for Christ. (2 Corinthians 5) *
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another (Hebrews 10.23-25)
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (Ephesians 6:16 ESV)
1. It doesn’t matter HOW BIG your shield of faith is.
Jesus’ disciples had “NO FAITH” (Mark 4.40) “LITTLE FAITH” (Matthew 8.26) and were “FULL OF FAITH” (Acts 6.5)
2. It doesn’t matter how many darts come at you.
Trials test your faith (to prove that it works), draw you closer to him, and develop perseverance.
3. Your shield of faith comes from the Word of God.
Experience just makes your faith STRONGER.
and take the helmet of salvation… (Ephesians 6:17 ESV)
“the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ”
ACCEPT YOUR SALVATION AS A HELMET
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5.17)
everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved Rom 10.13”
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8.1)
the law of the Spirit of life has set me free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death Romans 8.2
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (Ephesians 6:17 ESV)
- The word of God is living and active, SHARPER than any two-edged sword Heb 4.12*
ALL SCRIPTURE is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.. 2 Tim 3.16-17
Isaiah 55: My word …shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control
Anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires
I cast all my anxieties on him, because he cares for me
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV)
Prayer has no limitation of distance and no limitation of time (need not be present to win).
Matthew Chapter 6: Jesus didn’t say IF YOU PRAY… He said WHEN YOU PRAY.
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think God permits the devil to continue his control over the kingdoms of this world after Jesus defeated him on the cross?
What is your attitude about spiritual warfare?
What do you think it would take to change from fighting FOR victory into fighting FROM victory? How would you tell a fellow believer to make that change?
Do you have a prepared strategy for telling someone about Christ? Ask several friends about creating one that you’ll be comfortable using.
What is one trial in your life that forced you to exercise your faith in God? How did it make you stronger?
What is your favorite verse to use as a Sword of the Spirit? Share an example when you used it.
What is one prayer you have that you’ve been waiting and waiting to see the answer to? Ask someone to join together with you in prayer.