The Whole Armor of God
Know Your Enemy
Our enemy is a real enemy.
Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Examine the scriptures:
Ephesians 6:10-13 NLTThe Whole Armor of God
10 A final word:
Paul is finishing up his letter to the Ephesians.
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
We are in a spiritual war on a daily basis.
- Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 1:19-21 NLT
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
Jesus’ power and authority transcend all rival powers, in this world and in the world to come.
- God is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
David recognized where his strength came from.
Psalm 28:7 NLT
A psalm of David.
David was not only a king, but he was also a fierce warrior.
7 The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Other scriptures:
2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT
3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT
57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 2:14 NLT
14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.
Philippians 4:13 NLT
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
- Human effort is inadequate but God’s power is invincible.
- The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
11 Put on all of God’s armor
We need to be wearing all of God’s armor every day of our loves.
so that you will be able to stand firm
Here on earth, Satan’s attacks are unending.
God is all powerful, but we are still faced with evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places on a daily basis.
Christians are to stand firm. Hold on to what we have. We are not told to attack the massive domain of evil.
against all strategies
A few of Satan’s strategies include:
Immorality
False theology
Worldly enticements
Idolatry and perversion are prevalent all around us.
Secular humanism is the prevailing philosophy of:
Government
School systems
Churches
Communities
of the devil.
- Satan is a real and powerful enemy.
Satan and his demons are clever, crafty, cunning, and deceptive.
He is:
the prince (the ruler) of demons.” Luke 11:15
the God of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:4
the commander of the powers in the unseen world. Ephesians 2:2
a perverter of God’s Word. Matthew 4:6
a great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world. Revelation 12:9
He:
hinders God’s servants. 1 Thessalonians 2:18
obscures God’s Word. 2 Corinthians 4:4
controls the world around us. 1 John 5:19
1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
Our battle is against Satan and his demonic hosts.
- It is only by the Lord’s protection that a believer can stand firm against the strategies of the devil.
More about Satan:
Ephesians 2:2 NLT
2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
1 John 5:19 NLT
19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
The entire unbelieving world is subject to the power of sin and the devil.
2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT
4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
- The world around us is under the control of the evil one.
- Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies,
We are in a battle, but human beings are not our enemies.
but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
We are fighting against:
evil rulers
authorities of the unseen world
mighty powers in this dark world
evil spirits in the heavenly places
1 Peter 5:8 NLT (repeated)
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor
Not partially clothed.
so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
- God’s armor gives believers the ability to resist the attacks of the devil.
James 4:7 NLT
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Additional encouragement from scripture:
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Psalm 121:2 NLT
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
Hebrews 13:5 NLT
5 … For God has said,“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”
Psalm 125:2 NLT
2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
