Perfect Warfare:

• The Armor of God

  1. The Big Picture​

     • Part of Ephesians.

     • Mental picture: Soldiers fully equipped and ready to march on to battle.

     • Style: Roman, as they were the main empire of the time.

     • This is the culmination of the book of Ephesians, this is when you take the lessons and make them practical and useful in fulfilling the Great Commission. You are expected to keep in mind the whole letter as you consider the symbols given in the final chapter.

     • The expectation of the author is that you "Put on the whole armor". The individual parts are designed to be a kit, we do not get to piece it out.

     • What the armor does for the Christian: It empowers you in the Lord (Jesus Christ) and in the power (vigor, dominion) of his (Jesus') might  (forcefulness, strength, ability). (Eph 6:10)

     • Keep in mind that Jesus is our armor, these are aspects of Him and aid us in understanding what exactly is going on when He is operating through us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

     • Eph 6:10-20  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. 13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

  2. Loins girt about with truth (Girdle or Belt)

     • Bible passages; Joh_3:33; Joh_4:23; Joh_8:32; Eph_5:13; Joh_3:21​

     • Loins, or the hips; to gird up your loins is to prepare for action.​

     • Truth is verity; not concealing.

     • Light and Dark

     • An example of "Girding your loins".

     • Strong tags:

  3. Having on the Breastplate of Righteousness

     • Bible passages; Isa_64:6; 1Jn_3:22; Col_3:17; Col_3:23; Col_3:10

     • The visualization of "having on" is one of sinking in to a garment.

     • The Breastplate is protection for the core.

     • Righteousness is part of answered prayers.

     • Fear of the Lord God should manifest as a hatred of evil and hatred of unrighteousness. (Psa_34)

     • Righteousness=equity=innocence, holiness (integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting)=Right (just).

     • Strong tags: G1343 -> G1342 -> G1349 -G1166

     • Romans would have two main style of armor during this period, the heavier laced plate armor and the lighter scale armor.

  4. Feet Shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Boots or Sandals)​​​​

     • Bible passages; Rom_10:13-14; Act_10:36; Mat_12:25

     • Shod, to bind under ones feet (as sandals or shoes). We are walking on the gospel, perhaps this shows the driving force of the assignment is one of messengers.

     • Remember, the Gospel is the Good News of Jesus, that is "peace with God through Jesus Christ".

     • This part has preparation, we are expected to prepare to preach the Gospel, to think dynamically and know what message is most applicable to the audience. This is one of the reasons we get four Gospel accounts.

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     • Strong tags: 

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  5.  Above all, taking the Shield of Faith​

     • Bible passages; Rom_16:26; Heb_11

     • The first line of defense. Consider, we are told to take the shield "above all".

     • Faith is credence and moral conviction.

     • The Roman shield is shaped like a door, perhaps this is another symbol that the Christian would recognize, as Jesus revealed himself to be the door.

     • We get some insight on the armament of the enemy: Fiery darts (arrows, spears). The tactic is to use the shield (faith) to stop the darts of the enemy (Satan and his minions). It is also worth noting that the Romans would soak their wood and leather shields with water before battle in order to extinguish flaming arrows fired upon them.

     • Purpose of a shield: defense, full protection by deflecting or neutralizing blows and attacks. It helps us close the gap and get within striking distance of the foe.

     • Faith is only as powerful as the object in which it is rooted. This means our faith is very powerful, as we trust in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice toward us to our justification and salvation. The promises of God are worthy of our faith.

     • The darts are stopped by faith, this means a weak faith cannot hold up to the assault by the devil.​

  6. Take the Helmet of Salvation​

     • Bible passages; Rom_10:13

     • Take is to receive or accept.

     • The Helmet encircles the head and provides complete protection for our faculties from outside forces.

     •  The Greek word for Salvation (G4992) used in the passage implies defense.

     • Salvation has to do with acceptance, not our striving. Perhaps shows how salvation is tied to understanding the Gospel.

     • Christ as the head of the body, perhaps the metaphor is to bring to mind this passage.

     • ​Strong tags:

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  7. Take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

     • Bible passages; Heb_4:12

     • The Roman sword was designed to reach it's full potential only when used with the Roman shield.

     • The word of God is not exclusively Scripture, but also preaching and rebuking in the Spirit.

     • Strong tags:

  8. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit

     • Bible passages; Mat 13:8-9;  Mar 4:8; Luk 8:8; Mat 13:23;  Mar 4:20; Luk 8:15

     • Communication.

     • This is a mindset.

     • Supplication is humble entreaty, a petition, an earnest request.

     • Strong tags:

  9. And watching thereunto with all Perseverance

     • Bible passages; Mat 13:8-9;  Mar 4:8; Luk 8:8; Mat 13:23;  Mar 4:20; Luk 8:15

     • Watching as a watchman.

     • Like prayer, part of the Christian mindset.

     • Perseverance is tied to hope.

     • ​The Parable of the Ten Virgins.

  10. And Supplication for all Saints

      • Bible passages; Mat 13:8-9;  Mar 4:8; Luk 8:8; Mat 13:23;  Mar 4:20; Luk 8:15

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  11. And (supplication) for me (Paul) that Utterance will be given

      • Bible passages; Mat 13:8-9;  Mar 4:8; Luk 8:8; Mat 13:23;  Mar 4:20; Luk 8:15

      • Utterance is tied to the Word of God.

  12. Bonus: Garments of Vengeance​

      • Isa_59:17​

      • What is this?

      • This is part of Jesus' kit, it may not be universal.

      • 2Co_7:11

  13. Bonus: Clad with a Cloke of Zeal​

      • Isa_59:17​

      • What is this?

      • The outer garment; a robe.

      • This is part of Jesus' kit, it may not be universal.

      • 2Co_7:11

• M.O.G. Notes:

  1. Our roles and titles:

     1. We are soldiers.​

        1. To wrestle evil (we are given armor).​

        2. To attack evil (we are given a sword).

        3. To breach Satan's gates. (through the Church).

           • Mat_16:18

     2. We are defenders.

        1. To endure attacks.​

           • Mat_24:13​

        2. To extinguish flaming darts.

        3. To hold the line.

     3. We are priests.

        1. To bring men to God.​

        2. To lead men into righteousness.

     4. We are watchmen:

        1. To know the signs of the times.​

           • We cannot know the times, but we can know the signs of the time. The time itself is known to the Father and the Lamb.​

        2. To see the enemy's movement.

        3. To sound the alarm.

        4. To stay alert.

     5. We are radio operators.

        1. To send and receive communication to and from Heaven.​

        2. To call in support from Heaven.

        3. To bring down Superior Spiritual Surgical Strikes to subdue the wicked and his devices.

     6. We are messengers.

        1. Our message of Peace -- The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.​

        2. Our message of Destruction -- The Judgement of the world by the Lord Jesus Christ.

     7. We are ambassadors.

        1. Diplomacy​

        2. Aid

     8. We are to endure.

        1. Webster's 1913 definition​

     9. We are to withstand.

        1. Webster's 1913 definition​

     10. We are to stand.

         1. Webster's 1913 definition​

     11. We are to wrestle with evil.

         1. Webster's 1913 definition​

     12. We are to pray and supplicate.

         1. Webster's 1913 definition​

     13. We are to assist those who are on the frontlines.

         1. With our supplication​ and prayer.

         2. With our resources and wealth.

         3. With our good testimony.

     14. Paul's testimony: ​​​​​​​

         1. Paul's closing words:​

            1. ​ 2Ti_3:10-4:22 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me. 12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them;] 15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16  All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. ch4:1  I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4  And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: 8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 9  Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11  Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12  And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 13  The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring [with thee], and the books, [but] especially the parchments. 14  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all [men] forsook me: [I pray God] that it may not be laid to their charge. 17  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18  And the Lord shall deliver [me] from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen. 19  Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20  Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. 21  Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22  The Lord Jesus Christ [be] with thy spirit. Grace [be] with you. Amen.