Ephesians 6:10-18 Whole Armor of God CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

Be strong in the Lord v.10 – Ex 13:9 strong hand of the Lord – Ps 71:16 – Jos 14:11 Caleb

And in the power of his might v.10 – Lk 9:43 power to cast out devils Eph 1:19-20 power of his resurrection

Put on the whole armor of God v.11 – this is God’s armor for a Christian soldier not the army’s armor which consists of the following – 1 Sam 17:38-39 brass helmet, coat of mail, sword, Eze 38:4 bucklers [small round shield held by a handle or worn on the arm], 1 Sam 17:7 shields, 1 Sam 17:7 spears, 1 Sam 20:40 artillery [bow and arrows 1 Sam 20:36], 1 Sam 17:6 brass greaves, target [a small round shield worn between his shoulders] – and this is the armor we would have if we were fighting against flesh and blood – but we aren’t – so our armor is spiritual Rom 13:12 armor of light and 2 Cor 6:7 armor of righteousness – and we must put on the whole armor – not enough just to put on a piece or two – you don’t put on armor to sit around and watch TV or to play – it’s uncomfortable for us to wear when relaxing – you only put on armor when you are going to be in a fight – so the Lord wants us fighting – this is a battlefield brother not a recreation room, it’s a fight and not a game, so run if you want to or flee if you will but I came here to stay

Stand against the wiles of the devil v.11 – wiles = slick tricks, beguiling [deceving] tricks – we use decoys to shoot birds, bait to catch fish, feeders and scent to kill deer,

We wrestle not against flesh and blood v.12 – nevertheless we wrestle – Jacob and angel Gen 32:24, Hos 12:4

Against principalities v.12 – the rank dignity or jurisdiction of a prince [Dan 10:13, 20 – Eph 2:2] – but Jesus is above them Eph 1:21, Col 1:16 – nevertheless they are after you Rom 8:38 – and there are earthly ones as well Tit 3:1 that you have to wrestle with [Acts 4, 5]

Powers v.12

Rulers of the darkness of this world v.12 – Col 1:13 power of darkness, Lk 22:53, Job 10:21-22 where the light is as darkness, 1 Pet 2:9 out of darkness into light

Spiritual wickedness in high places v.12 – Is 14, Job 1 & 2 – and down here 2 Ki 21:6 Manasseh

Ye may be able to withstand in the evil day v.13 – Matt 6:13, Jn 17:15 – the day when the wicked one fights you Lk 22:31 – it will be too late to withstand if you wait until that day to assay your armor

Having done all to stand v.13 – you will fall if you don’t do all – you have to do all that you can with this armor to be able to stand or you will fall – and the victory is in standing – the last man standing is the winner

Stand therefore v.14 having:

Loins girt about with truth v.14 – 2 Sam 20:8 – Jn 17:17 – loins girded Ex 12:11 for moving 1 Ki 18:46 – fall into captivity when not in truth 2 Tim 2:25-26

The breastplate of righteousness v.14 – armor of righteousness – when you do right the devil can’t get you to fall – notice 1 Tim 3:6-7 both of these are a fall – Is 59:17 Jesus wears this and Jesus always did right when he was here – 1 Thes 5:8 breastplate of faith and love

Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace v.15 – Lk 4:18-19 Jesus sent to preach – Phil 1:12 for the furtherance of the gospel Phil 1:18 – Rom 10 Acts 8:4 – if you aren’t preaching you aren’t in the battle anyway so why would the devil waste effort killing you

Above all shield of faith v.16 – Jesus temptations – one thing to have the truth another thing to believe it and another thing to walk by faith and live by faith Gal 5, Rom 1

Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked v.16 – 1 Pet 4:12-13 like Job and like Paul 2 Cor 12, and like Jesus the Lord lets the devil try you and you have to quench the darts – all of them

Take the helmet of salvation v.17 – Is 59:17 – salvation is what put Jesus as your head – follow your commander – salvation is what corrects all the damage brought on the world by the devil – football player may be suited out but he’s going in the game when he puts helmet on – shows devil can mess with your mind too

Sword of the spirit which is the word of God v.17 – Heb 4:12

All of these attacks by the devil on the word of God are to take away Christian armor

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit v.18

Watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints v.18