Sermon Central
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The Armour Of God Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 10, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: We are in a spiritual battle and we don’t wrestle against this physical world, but against the forces of darkness. Sounds like a sci-fi or horror movie, but it was a reality long before it was a movie script. This battle goes on everyday and as Paul expla
The Armour of God
We are in a spiritual battle and we don’t wrestle against this physical world, but against the forces of darkness. Sounds like a sci-fi or horror movie, but it was a reality long before it was a movie script. This battle goes on everyday and as Paul explains it we have armour that we are able to put on to protect us.
There may be times when you find it difficult to reconcile God’s truth to your own opinion or worldview, God’s truth is eternal, it does not change, our understanding of the truth does change as we allow God to work in our hearts and minds.
These sessions are not about opinion, they are about learning truth, the truth contained in the Bible, together we are going to focus on how we apply God’s truth, black & white in a grey world. To set godly priorities, grow in Christian character and live according to God’s standards so that we are a living witness to others.
Ephesians 6:10-18(NKJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
Where’s the Battle?
Which would you rather have if you were faced with a den of hungry lions?
q a phone to call 999
q a raw steak
q a chew toy
q a whip and fedora (like Indiana Jones)
q a copy of Worst case Scenario Survival Handbook
q a full suit of armour with sword and shield
You are standing in a lion’s den right now!
You may not see the lion, but Scripture says that Satan is a roaring lion roaming about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Do you put on your armour every day? What areas do you feel like Satan has been attacking you?
Spiritual warfare is very real in the life of the believer. But we have not been left helpless or without defence. To be equipped for this warfare we have been given specific spiritual tools with which to fight.
Our understanding of these tools is vital in battling the enemy. Here are several reasons why we need to put on the armour of God every day.
Satan tries to gain a foothold in a Christian’s life (Ephesians 4:25-27). Satan does not need much space to attack. Sometimes we wonder how that bug got into the house. It is because there was some small hole that the nasty little thing squeezed through. It did not need much, just a little bit. Satan is the same way. He searches and looks for some small hole or crack in which to squeeze through and attack (Acts 5:3, 1 Corinthians 7:5, 2 Corinthians 12:7). Paul warns us in Ephesians not to not give Satan any foothold, any space to grab. Consider some of these ways in which Satan tries to get a foothold.
Satan is the master counterfeiter (John 8:43-44) Satan tries to have his kingdom appear that it is God’s kingdom. This has been a ploy of Satan since the beginning of time. An example of this is in the story of the Exodus. The servants of Pharaoh were able to copy some of the plagues that God sent through Moses. That fact that Satan masquerades as an angel of light brings the importance to knowing and developing a relationship with Christ to a higher degree.
We must know the truth in order to discover the lies (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Corinthians 11:14).
Satan’s desire and intent is to destroy believers
(1 Peter 5:89). Satan is not a little demon that sits on your shoulder and tries to convince you his way is better. He is not content with simply causing bumps in the road. Satan wants to destroy and devour you.
