The Lord Jesus Christ – Our Armour
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For 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.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore 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.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
1.”Put on the whole armor” vs.10,11,13 – Christ is our armour and strength, We are not able to fight the fiery darts of the wicked one without the power of His might.
2.”Loins girt about with truth.” vs.14 – “the Lord said He was truth” (John 14:6). “Thy Word is Truth” (John 17:17).
We are to rightly divide the Word of TRUTH, so that we can be established in the present truth for today (2 Tim. 2:15, 2 Pet.1:12).
We must also reject the philosophies and traditions of men and anything else that is contrary to the Word of Truth (Col. 2:8, 1Tim. 4:1-3).
3. “The breastplate of righteousness.” v.14 – He is our righteousness.
(Rom. 5:19-21, 2 Cor. 5:21, Rom. 3:10). “…there is none righteous, no, not one.” We have no righteousness of our own apart from Christ.
4. “Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”v.15 – He is
our peace and made peace for us by the blood of His cross. (Eph. 2:13-14, John 16:33, Col.1:20,21).
Satan would have us believe that we have to do something more to make peace with God, but our works are as filthy rags (Is.64:6). God has prepared for us works to do after receiving His salvation, (Eph. 2:10).
5. “Above all…the shield of faith.” v.16 – He is our faith and He is faithful, and we are to hold fast the faithful Word of God (Titus 1:19, 2 Tim.2:13).
Gal. 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
6. “Take the helmet of salvation.” -v.17 – He is our only salvation,
(Acts 28:28), and the salvation to the world, (1 Tim.1:15).
Satan would have us believe we must do something for this salvation other than believe in the finished work of Christ.
7. “And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” v. 17 –
Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword…” Our offense is powerful indeed. The Lord three times rebuked Satan with “It is written…” Let this be our example.
In summary, we are to put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
The armor is Christ, the Word, who is:
1. Our Strength
2. Our Truth
3. Our Faith
4. Our Righteousness
5. Our Peace
6. Our Salvation
7. Our Sword
Let us pray for all saints to put on the whole armor of God.
The Battle of a Lifetime
The believer that is concerned with keeping the Word of Truth and who desires to move on from “faith to faith” and go from childhood to “perfection” (Heb.6:1) finds himself engaged in a battle that lasts a lifetime. Satan’s desire for the believer of the Mystery now is to set our minds on earthly things, to fix our mind on ourselves, not holding the Head from which all the Body by joints and bands have nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God (Col.2:19).
Let us therefore stand as saints unashamed by rightly dividing the word. Let us hold the Head, and press on for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Set your affections on things above and not upon the earth. This is what the Saint is to be occupied with. When we keep our minds upon the Lord and His Word, then we are able to quench the fiery darts of the Wicked One.
Note: Excerpts of this study are from “The Gift, the Hope, and the Prize” by Tom Ballinger.