ARE WE PREPARED FOR THE INEVITABLE BATTLE WITH EVIL?
Battles are fought with what purpose as the goal?
Ÿ To defeat the enemy!
Ÿ To have victory.
Ephesians 6:10
[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ÿ A thought provoking statement.
Ÿ Strong is a "powerful" word.
Ÿ Joshua 1:7 NIV “Be strong and very courageous".
Ÿ Preparing for battle requires strength.
Def. Showing power to resist or to endure.
Ÿ Where does a believers strength come from?
Ephesians 6:11-13
[11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] 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. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Q: When soldiers go into battle, do they put on only a good pair of boots?
Every part of you needs to be protected.
Ÿ Our battle will not be a show of physical force.
Ÿ This is a spiritual battle.
Ÿ Victory will only come with a complete set of armor.
Ÿ The battle is not a maybe, but a sure thing.
Ÿ Do everything you can and God will hold you up in victory.
Ephesians 6:14-17
[14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
1. BELT OF TRUTH
The original description of the belt of truth is best understood when you read the King James version.
"Stand therefore with your loins gird about with truth."
Ÿ The standard dress, at the time this was written, was a long robe which would be cumbersome in battle. So they would pull the robe together in the front and pull it up between the legs to the back and gird or tie it in place with a rope belt around the waist.
Ÿ The following is a great description of the meaning of girding up your loins or your sexual organs.
"The Lord knew our loins needed to be wrapped in truth. Regardless of our culture or time, the Lord has seen all our paths and how they have hurt and derailed us. He knows we need truth. Our identity is more than our sexuality, but this is one facet of our lives that we often view as a definer. The first area of life in which the enemy frequently attempts to rattle is our sense of identity. And the things pertaining to sex are easy pickings for him. We need freedom regarding sexuality We need the truth about who we are. And only Jesus is the Truth that sets us free."
Ÿ TRUTH is the scriptures.
Ÿ Apply God’s word to every aspect of our lives.
2. BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
This is the righteousness of Christ in us.
Ÿ We need that righteousness which sets us free.
Ÿ It protects our hearts.
Ÿ It preserves our hearts for God.
Ÿ It is gained by knowing God’s word and living accordingly.
3. SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
Ÿ Peace is an attribute of God.
Ÿ In Greek peace means oneness
Ÿ Jesus offers oneness with God upon faith and trust in Him.
Ÿ This oneness provides peace in us no matter what battles we are fighting.
4. SHIELD OF FAITH
Ÿ Shields were carried into battle for protection from fiery darts and arrows.
Ÿ They traditionally were covered with animal hide that was soaked with water which would extinguish the fire on impact.
Romans 10:17-18
[17] Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Ÿ Know God's WORD. It will shield us from the fiery darts of satan the enemy.
5. HELMET OF SALVATION
Ÿ Jesus provides our salvation. Only Jesus.
Ÿ But we have a responsibility to "work out our salvation."
Philippians 2:12-13
[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose
Ÿ Our minds are under constant attack.
Ÿ Let the Holy Spirit guide us as we live in an evil world wanting
to destroy us.
Colossians 3:1-2
[3] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
6. SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Ÿ This is, as noted in the verse, The Word of God.
Ÿ This is the only part of our armor which is used offensively and defensively.
Ÿ When Jesus was doing battle with Satan in the wilderness, He defeated him with scripture.
Ÿ He used the TRUTH of GODS WORD every time.
Ephesians 6:18-20
[18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. [19] Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Ÿ Battle requires alertness.
Ÿ Be always aware of the presence of evil around us.
Ÿ Stay daily in God's Word for the protection it provides as we fight the guaranteed battles against us. Against Christ.
Ÿ The battle is His to win.
Ÿ In fact, He has "overcome the world".
Ÿ He will guide us to VICTORY!!!