The Armor of God – Intro

“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).

In the next few days we will be looking at the Armor of God.

Paul writes about the armor of God at the end of his letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians is referred to as the “blue print” for the church. As the church was just getting started, Paul wrote this letter to express God’s plan for the church. This letter most completely describes the purpose and the function of the church. In closing his letter to the Ephesians, Paul leaves with them the key to “be strong in the Lord and his mighty power” (v.10).

Strong in the Lord and his mighty power? Yes. Absolutely interested. Sign me up for that.

How can we live “strong in the Lord and his mighty power?”

Paul tells us. “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

• “PUT on the full armor of God”
  • Note that the armor doesn’t put itself on. You have to do it. You have to take action. This is intentional. This doesn’t just happen
  • God gives us the armor, but you must put it on
• “So that you can take your STAND against the devil’s schemes”
  • The purpose of putting on the armor of God is to stand against the devil’s schemes
  • Stand firm. You will notice this word used four times in the next four verses:
    • “Take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (6:11)
    • “So that…you may be able to stand your ground” (6:13)
    • “And after you have done everything to stand” (6:13b)
    • “Stand firm then…”(6:14)
  • This is our job. This is what Christians do. This is our calling. We do not cower. We do not retreat. We stand our ground against the devil and his schemes
• “So that you can take your stand against the devil’s SCHEMES“
  • The Greek word for schemes is methodia. This is where we get the word “methods”
  • We are called to stand against the schemes, the plans, and the methods of the devil
  • What are the devil’s schemes and methods? Lies. From the Garden of Eden, the devil has been twisting God’s words and truths. The devil is the father of lies
  • The best protection against the devil’s lies is God’s truths found in scripture
• “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”
  • Our battle is a spiritual battle. The battle against the rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms can take on physical manifestations, but the source and the core of the battle is one of spiritual nature
  • To win this battle, you have to go to the root of the problem. The enemy is the devil and his lies

“Be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes.”

We will be doing that in the coming days as we study together how we can put on the full armor of God.