“Armour of God - Part One”
Sermon Title: Armour of God - Part One
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17 ESV
Introduction
The Apostle Paul reminds us to be aware of the schemes of the evil one. The devil has tactics designed to separate us from Jesus, create divisions among us, or incite us to harm each other. Paul explains that God has provided us with spiritual armor to help us stand firm against these evil plans. When Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he was imprisoned in Rome. Surrounded by Roman guards, he likely used them as a metaphor for the spiritual armor needed in the battle against powers and principalities.
However, Paul wasn’t merely inspired by Roman soldiers. He also had in mind "God the Warrior" as depicted in Isaiah 59:17:
“He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.”
Paul wants us to understand that the armor we are called to wear is, in fact, God’s own armor. This is why it’s called the “Armor of God.” It isn’t a weapon of aggression; it’s meant to help us stand firm. This armor isn’t for offense or violence; it’s to help us maintain steadfastness in Jesus’s way of life and character against dark forces.
In our daily lives, we face more than we can handle on our own. God knows this, and so He gives us His armor so that we can stand firm amid chaos. Each piece of armor reflects a characteristic of Jesus, and today we will focus on three aspects of this armor: the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, and the Helmet of Salvation.
Belt of Truth
Paul begins with the Belt of Truth, emphasizing that if we are to stand against the world’s evil powers, we must have this belt. Though it may seem odd to start with a belt, Paul understands that in a soldier’s armor, the belt holds everything together. It carries the sword’s scabbard and is reinforced with leather strips to protect against attacks. The belt is foundational because, without it, the armor falls apart.
Truth holds our spiritual lives together. Falsehood, however, tears us apart. This is why Paul instructs us to wear the Belt of Truth, emphasizing its necessity in all other aspects of the armor.
Paul’s reference to truth has multiple layers:
Commitment to Right Theology: First, truth means having a sound understanding of God’s Word. This involves studying and fully grasping Scripture. Distorted teachings often mislead believers, focusing on self-centered theology over the Bible’s true teachings of humility, love, and holiness. A prevalent example is the prosperity gospel, which falsely equates God’s favor with wealth, ignoring the call to sacrifice and service. Compromise of biblical truth is also evident in some leaders' responses to controversial social issues, as they selectively interpret Scripture to suit cultural pressures. This tendency causes confusion, as core teachings on marriage, sexuality, and life’s sanctity may be diluted.
Combating Lies and Deceit: Paul knows the devil’s primary tactic is deceit. In John 8:44, Jesus describes the devil as the father of lies:
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”Lies bring disorder into our hearts, creating cycles of deceit that harm our lives. By putting on the Belt of Truth, we strive to keep our hearts and lives ordered, resisting the devil’s influence of falsehood.
Falsehoods Attacking Our Identity: The devil doesn’t just promote lies in our daily lives but also about our value. He whispers to the depressed, lonely, or guilty that they are worthless or unloved. Conversely, for those who are successful and confident, he attempts to puff them up with pride, convincing them they don’t need God. The Belt of Truth protects us from these attacks, grounding us in the reality of our identity in God.
Living in Truth
Truth means living in reality, physically and spiritually. It corresponds to reality, and to wear the Belt of Truth, we must accept our reality, acknowledging our faults and living in integrity. Our culture, however, is filled with curated portrayals on social media, distorting reality. As the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) report highlighted, platforms like Instagram lead to comparisons with unrealistic images, fostering anxiety and self-doubt.
The powers of the world create environments of deceit, and only truth, integrity, and a life aligned with reality can stand strong. We’re invited to put on the Belt of Truth, embracing honesty with God, ourselves, and others. Pastor Pete Scazzero insightfully said, "When you're not aware of what's going on inside of you, you're not in reality. And if you're not in reality, you're not in spirituality." This belt helps us live authentically, pushing back against the power of deceit.
As President James Garfield once said, "The truth will set you free but first it will make you miserable." Living in truth isn’t always easy. Every morning, before engaging with the world, we should pray: “Lord, help me live according to your truth. Help me to live with integrity, in reality, and with honesty as I put on the Belt of Truth.”
Breastplate of Righteousness
The second piece is the Breastplate of Righteousness. For Roman soldiers, this breastplate, typically made of iron or bronze, protected vital organs. Spiritually, the breastplate serves a similar purpose by guarding us against the devil’s attacks.
Paul connects the breastplate with righteousness, emphasizing that it’s righteousness that defends us from evil. However, righteousness isn’t about perfect behavior. Instead, it’s a status God bestows on us despite our flaws. Righteousness means being declared “not guilty” by God, though we have sinned. This declaration comes not because God ignores our sin but because, through Christ, He sees us as righteous.
Our righteousness in Christ provides stability in our relationship with God. If our faith were based on our own righteousness, our spiritual journey would become erratic, dependent on how well we “perform” spiritually.
Instability in Self-Righteousness: When our relationship with God is based on our righteousness, our faith wavers. If we’re diligent in prayer, we feel secure in God’s love. If we neglect spiritual disciplines, we fear God’s disappointment. This results in a “rollercoaster” spirituality where our faith rises and falls based on our actions.
Stability in God’s Righteousness: When we understand that our righteousness is grounded in Christ, we find stability. Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” This is a fact, not a feeling. Our righteousness in Christ grants us security, helping us withstand the devil’s accusations.
Helmet of Salvation
Finally, we come to the Helmet of Salvation. In battle, helmets not only protect the head but also distinguish soldiers by side. Similarly, our helmet represents our allegiance to God. Paul stresses that we can’t stand against evil if we’re colluding with it; we must be saved, rescued from darkness, and stand on God’s side.
Being saved isn’t just about going to heaven. It’s about being freed from the devil’s grasp and entering God’s light. If we haven’t been saved, we can’t resist the powers of darkness. Accepting Jesus as Lord grants us this helmet, symbolizing our belonging to God’s team.
Conclusion
Each morning this week, let’s approach God and ask, “Lord, I put on the Helmet of Salvation, reminding myself that I belong to you. I put on the Belt of Truth, grounding myself in reality. I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness, resting in what you have done.” With God’s armor, we are equipped to stand firm against the enemy.
Reflection and Response
As we prepare to close, let’s take a moment to let this message settle in our hearts. Apostle Paul urges us to put on the full armor of God, equipping us for every battle. Next week, we’ll explore the final pieces of this armor, but today, let’s pause and reflect on what we’ve received this morning.
Brothers and sisters, when you step outside these doors, the enemy will be waiting. He’ll try to overwhelm you with fear, to paralyze you with anxiety, to make you feel powerless. But remember, God is also there, waiting for you with open arms and His strength. There is no need to run or hide.
Let me ask you:
- What area of your life are you wrestling with disorder and falsehood?
- Could you at all be compromising God’s truth cover your disorder?
- What fears or lies of the evil one are you holding on to that hinders you from fully trusting in God?
- Is your identity grounded in your own righteous behaviours or in the righteousness of Jesus?
- Where do you need God’s armor most in your life right now?
Take a moment to bring these personal battles to God. Ask Him for the courage to stand firm. So, put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, and the belt of truth. Stand firm, knowing that if God is for you, who can be against you? Amen!