“Armour of God - Part Two”
Sermon Title: Armour of God - Part Two
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17 ESV
Introduction
In our journey through the book of Ephesians, we’ve explored three guiding themes: Sit, Walk, and Stand. These words summarize our spiritual progression:
Sit – This reflects our position in Christ. When we place our faith and trust in the gospel, we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). This position grants us significance, status, and stability.
Walk – Flowing from our seated position, we are called to walk in the way of Christ. This stands in contrast to the world, which often walks in ways contrary to Christ.
Stand – After learning to sit and walk, we are called to stand firm against the powers of darkness and evil at work in the world.
Last week, we emphasized the reality of spiritual warfare. Whether we acknowledge it or not, demonic activities aim to:
Isolate us from Jesus and others.
Incite violence among us.
Our role as Christians is to stand firm. We are not tasked with fighting the battle but with standing in our faith while allowing Jesus to fight for us. As Paul writes, we are to stand equipped with the Armor of God, starting with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the helmet of salvation.
Gospel of Peace Shoes
Paul continues his teaching on spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:15, stating that in addition to a belt, breastplate, and helmet, believers also need shoes. These shoes, which Paul refers to as "the readiness given by the gospel of peace," are essential for standing firm in spiritual battles.
Paul uses the metaphor of shoes to describe the firm footing believers require to face the enemy, comparing them to the caligae worn by Roman soldiers. Roman soldiers relied on these specialized shoes, made with multiple layers of leather and equipped with spikes or hobnails, to protect their feet and provide stability during battles. The caligae enabled them to march long distances and maintain balance, ensuring their effectiveness in combat. Similarly, Paul emphasizes that having all the right armor is insufficient if one lacks proper footwear. Without the right shoes, a soldier—or a believer—is severely limited.
During a seminary trip to Israel, what was expected to be a brief 30-minute walk turned into a grueling four-hour hike through the rocky Zealim Valley. The improper choice of sandals led to swollen feet and medical treatment. This experience reinforces the necessity of having the right equipment for the task at hand, just as believers must be prepared with the gospel of peace to stand firm.
Paul identifies the gospel of peace as the believer's spiritual footwear, serving as a foundation for facing the spiritual challenges of life. The gospel grounds the believer's identity, secures hope, and equips for spiritual battles. It reminds believers of their forgiveness, adoption by God, and the victory of Christ over sin and death.
The gospel is described as the "gospel of peace" because it establishes peace between humanity and God, achieved through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Romans 5:1 proclaims, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This peace is further elaborated in Ephesians 2:14-18, where Paul explains how Christ reconciled humanity to God by abolishing hostility through His sacrifice.
True peace, Paul teaches, comes only through reconciliation with God via Jesus Christ. By standing firm in the gospel of peace, believers can remain calm and steadfast, regardless of circumstances or attacks from the evil one. The peace of God replaces fear, enabling believers to stand strong in their faith.
Shield of Faith
Paul underscores the importance of taking up the shield of faith in Ephesians 6:16: "In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one."
The shield of faith is essential for protection against the relentless attacks of the enemy, who constantly launches flaming darts of doubt, discouragement, delay, difficulty, and depression. These darts often manifest as thoughts implanted in the believer's mind, questioning God's promises, love, and presence.
Paul reminds believers of the need for constant vigilance and trust in God. Faith acts as a shield that deflects the lies and deceptions of the enemy. Trusting in God's Word and His promises provides certainty, even when life circumstances appear uncertain or discouraging.
An important principle is to "doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs." This means holding firmly to God's truth as revealed in Scripture, regardless of doubts or challenges. The shield of faith is not optional; Paul insists that believers take it up "in all circumstances." This perpetual reliance on faith is vital for standing firm against the enemy's attacks.
Sword of the Spirit
Paul describes the final piece of spiritual armor, the sword of the Spirit, as "the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). The Word of God is depicted as a sharp and effective weapon, capable of piercing to the deepest levels of the human heart and discerning thoughts and intentions, as stated in Hebrews 4:12-13.
Unlike other pieces of armor meant for defense, the sword serves both offensive and defensive purposes. However, believers are called to use the sword primarily for defense. The example of Jesus resisting Satan's temptations in the wilderness illustrates how Scripture serves as a powerful tool to counter the enemy's attacks. Each time Satan tempted Jesus, Jesus responded with Scripture, deflecting the enemy's schemes (Matthew 4:1-11).
Believers are instructed to use the Word of God in similar ways: to block spiritual attacks, discern contrary thoughts and attitudes, and bring them into alignment with Christ. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, believers are equipped with divine weapons to destroy arguments and take thoughts captive in obedience to Christ.
To wield the sword effectively, believers must undergo training. Just as Roman soldiers trained extensively with their gladius before battle, Christians must grow in knowledge and skill with the Word of God. Hebrews 5:12-14 emphasizes the need for maturity and discernment, which come through constant practice and study of Scripture.
Prayer: The Power Behind the Armor
Paul concludes his discussion on spiritual armor by emphasizing the necessity of prayer: "praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication" (Ephesians 6:18a). Prayer is the means by which believers remain connected to Jesus and keep the armor of God firmly in place.
Paul advocates for all kinds of prayers—personal, corporate, intercessory, prayers in tongues, and prayers in one's own language. He urges believers to pray in all circumstances, whether feeling righteous or unrighteous, strong or weak. Prayer is essential for standing firm and receiving the strength, wisdom, and discernment needed to resist the powers of darkness.
Paul's teaching on the armor of God reminds believers that standing firm against the enemy requires total reliance on Jesus Christ. By putting on the armor of God—the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit—and by remaining steadfast in prayer, believers are equipped to stand firm against the powers of darkness.
In Christ, believers are seated with Him, holding a position of authority, status, and stability. With the armor of God, they can face life's difficulties with courage and confidence, knowing they are part of God's victorious army under Jesus' command.’
Reflection and Response
If you are living on this planet, arrows are coming your way. Arrows in the form of hurts, betrayals, disappointments, spiritual attacks, fears... So where is the evil one showing up in our life? In what areas is the evil one trying to make you fall and stumble and become isolated from the love of Christ? The evil one may come at you with all kinds of scheme and tactics, but Jesus calls you to stand firm, knowing that he is there too.. fighting for you.. right by your side. Let this good news of Jesus be the anchor of your lives as you fight your battles.