THE POWER

Many years back, When I was a new believer there was a time when it seemed like the Devil was after me like a red wasp!  I was worn out from trying to be good, and I went outside and built a fire.  I remember talking to God about how sick I was of the Devil flexing, because I knew God was stronger.  I asked Him to help me see his power, and that was when He began teaching me.

The Armour of Christ.

The power you need is found in the Bible.  Ask God to help you understand, then read the following passage of scripture.  “10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For 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. 13Wherefore 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. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20 (KJV)

Introduction

The Apostle Paul was a man of God that was familiar with Spiritual Warfare.  When this text was written, he was in prison, and he was so feared that he was chained to  a Roman soldier!  Paul was living the life, and God helped him understand deep spiritual truth by using things that are seen and/or understood.  The soldier was dressed for battle.  God used pieces of the physical Armor to REVEAL a spiritual Armor for believers.

The Battle, (Vv. 10-11).

Ever since the Devil decided he could be like God, he has had an attitude problem.  God kicked him out, and let me tell you the devil holds a grudge!  The Bible puts it this way, John 10:10 - The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  Because he is mean and tenacious, you need to learn that your STRENGTH for battle comes from the Lord, and that you can RESIST the Devil. James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  He has sneaky traps set for Christians.  The Bible describes these as “wiles” of the Devil.  It means sneaky, cunning, devices.   Listen up, he knows you, your parents, your grand parents, and all the way back to Adam.  He has set traps for your family, before you were born, so trust me when I say that they are sneaky and dangerous.

The Enemy, (v. 12).

We wrestle not against flesh and blood.  We wrestle NOT against FLESH AND BLOOD!  People are not the enemy!  Oh they are used by him, and some even volunteer for service.. but the enemy is spiritual.  Pay attention to verse 12, it has insight!  He is showing us a chain of command or avenue for intelligence movement.  Satan is NOT GOD!  Satan is not everywhere, and he does not know everything.  Therefore, he is highly organized to appear like God.  Principalities, Powers, Rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places.   When Satan was evicted, 1/3 of the angels went with him.  There are a lot of them, and you see a pyramid of power where most of them are intelligence gatherers.

The Pieces, (Vv. 13-20).

The Bible tells a Christian to TAKE the Armour.  What?  Yeah, something to do faithfully!  Take the WHOLE ARMOR, not just what we like or think we need.  All of it!  So that YOU may be able to withstand in the evil day.  Evil day?  Oh yeah, he launches surprise attacks, vexes (aggravates) your spirit, and tries to bully you with fear.  2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  Most of the Armor is for defense:  blocking, absorbing, and holding ground (standing).  There are six for defense, and ONE for offense.

1 - The Girdle of Truth!

On the soldier, this was a wide leather belt, that was extremely important to the wearer.  It held the bottom part of a tunic (called girded up) in place, so the soldier could fight!  It held a breastplate in place, because it was tucked under the belt.  It also held the sword when not in use.  For a Christian, the truth is the most important part of war!  There is no friendship with the enemy, and no trust at all!  This world is full of liars, and a pile of them are in Washington!  They could care less about taxpayers!  They are bloated pigs who have eaten high for so long that they have forgotten who RUNS this place!  We need truth to keep us from being led astray!  John 8:32 - And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  That verse was written to disciples!

2 - The Breastplate of Righteousness!

On the soldier, it was a metal covered oval object that had a strap on the top edge. The strap was put over the neck, and the bottom edge was held firmly in place by the belt.  That stopped it from flopping around during battle.  For a Christian, the most common issue is self esteem and self worth.  We all THINK we are too sinful, have too much of a past, and better not live for God or someone will rise up to tell everyone who we really are.  My Bible tells a different message.  My Bible tells me that there is no condemnation for Christians by God.  Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  Righteousness is a legal term!  The Righteous Judge, The Lord God Almighty, applies the blood of Jesus to our sin debt and DECLARES us righteous.  This declaration means he treats us like we have never sinned, and sees us like we have always perfectly obeyed.  Romans 8:33 - Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.  God doesn't bring up our past, not Ever!

3 - The sandals of peace

The soldiers wore sandals, with thick leather soles, that had nails driven through all layers and functioned somewhat like cleats.  For the believer, it looks like peacemaking.  Matthew 5:9 -Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.  Nations need peace!  The world is full of war, and that will never end.  Mark 13:7 - And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.  And people need peace!  Romans 12:18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  What people want more than anything is peace.  Peace with God, and peace between friends and family.

4 - The Shield of Faith

Soldiers had a large shield that the hid behind, when archers were shooting at them.  The shield was as tall as a soldier, wider than a soldier, and had leather straps on the back.  For Christians, Faith is very important.  Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  We trust Jesus to protect us!  The enemy is invisible!  Jesus has already defeated them!  Trust him for protection!

5 - The Helmet of Salvation

Soldiers had a helmet that protected them against fatal blows by a sword!  Christians  also have a helmet.  Ours reminds us that we are saved and protects us from doubts!
1 John 5:13 - These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  He wants you to know, but how can you be sure?  Romans 8:9 - But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  Spirit of Christ in you = Saved.

6 - The sword of the spirit

The soldier had a long sword, that was sharpened on both sides.  It had a long handle, and was designed to be used with both hands for maximum force.  The sword was lethal.  Christians have a sword, also known as the Word of God.  Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Every time the Devil tried to tempt Jesus he responded with Bible!  Our real BIBLE is the one we have in our heart.  Can you imagine a battle where a soldier said, “Wait, let me look it up my defense first.”  A lot of people think the sword is the end of the Armor.  Look for yourself, did that sentence end with 17.  Not even close, it ended with this “ : “.  There must be more?

7 - Prayer

Here is where the Armor turned completely away from the soldier, to the Christians.  Most people get all dressed up in the Armor, and are too lazy to follow through!  We have the best weapon in the world!  We can PRAY!  1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.  James 4:2 - Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.  We need PRAYER warriors!  Pray all the time, about everything, and for everyone.  Pray for me please, I will have to fight because I shared this truth with you.

Conclusion

How does this all work?  Great question!  You take it by faith, and you put it on with prayer.  Romans 13:14 - But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.  Let me show you, right after you wake up, pray on YOUR armor.  Father, I thank you for truth, and I ask you to live truth through me. Thank you for your righteousness and I ask you to live righteousness through me.  Thank you for peace, and I ask you to live peace through me.  Thank you for Faith, and I ask you to live Faith through me.  Thank you for salvation, and I ask you to live salvation through me.  Thank you for the Bible, and I ask you to live the Bible through me.  Thank you for prayer, and I ask you to pray for me and through me.  A-men.

That is the Armor of Jesus Christ in action.  Here is a challenge.  Try this for seven days straight!  Get ready, you will never be the same!