As Christians, we realize....all too soon in our Christian
walk, that the battle between us and the lusts of the
flesh...between us and the world...between us and the
allurement of satan.....these things are tremendously
difficult!
A. When we read passages indicating that we are
truly fighting a battle...........we can identify with
this analogy....if, indeed, it is an analogy.
So often we feel more like the individual who is described
in Romans, chapter 7....than like the individual who is
described in Romans, chapter 8.
A. We feel like failures....we feel defeated...we feel
overwhelmed by the persistence of this fight.
1. While we direct our attention to one of our
weaknesses, something else rears its ugly head
in another quadrant of our lives.
If we are not properly prepared for this fight...if we do not
have the armor in place...if we are not skilled in utilizing
the power that we have through the proper and timely use
of this armor....WE WILL BE DEFEATED!!!
A. I think that most Christians think that they have
a good understanding of just what the armor is...
and how to properly use it.
1. To some degree, this is true...to some degree,
we really do not recognize the armor for what
it is and the power that is wielded through it.
I. The armor is not of a physical nature...it is totally
spiritual.
II Cor. 10:3-5 - 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do
not war according to the flesh. 4For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down
strongholds, 5casting down arguments and every high thing
that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing
every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Eph. 6:10-18 - 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole
armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. 12For 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.
13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may
be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand. 14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with
truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and
having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of
peace; 16above all, taking the shield of faith with which
you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked
one. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being
watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication
for all the saints.
B. We can quite clearly see from these passages, that
not only is the armor a spiritual thing, but the
battle ground is spiritual as is the enemy that we
must battle.
1. This is why we can become “weary in spirit”
even when we are physically strong.
a. This is why we have the admonitions
that we do, which encourage us to stay
in the battle and not give up.
James 5:7-8 - 7Therefore be patient, brethren, until the
coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the
precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it
receives the early and latter rain. 8You also be patient.
Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Gal. 6:9 - 9And let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
II Thess. 3:13 - 13But as for you, brethren, do not grow
weary in doing good.
C. The spiritual enemy is “self” and “self-will”.
1. The means of attack are multiple.
a. satan appeals to the pleasure senses of
our physical bodies.
1.) He will trick us and he will allure
us in placing the things that we
would like or like to do...in our
path.
b. Many times, satan doesn’t have to work
very hard......we can seek after these
sinful pleasures without even being
primed by satan.
James 1:14-15 - 14But each one is tempted when he is
drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15Then, when
desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it
is full-grown, brings forth death.
** All of this sounds so overwhelming....so overpowering..
and it would be, if God had left us defenseless......but
He didn’t.
II. We must take off the things that will not work,
underneath the armor of God.
A. When armor was used, it wasn’t put on over
street clothes.....the first thing that had to be
done was to undress.
1. All self confidence must be taken off, as
we are robed with faith in Christ.
2. We must take off the thinking cap of the
world......we need to stop thinking as the
world and start thinking as Christ.
3. Our feet need to be prepared by casting
off those old shoes which were quick to
run to mischief.
4. The belt of deceit and lies needs to be
taken off so that the belt of truth may be
put on.
5. The unrighteous thoughts and intents of
the heart need to be removed.
a. The breastplate of righteousness
will not protect us if we try to keep
unrighteousness in our hearts.
** Now that we have removed these things that would
defeat the power of the armor...let us put on the armor.
III. The armor goes far beyond us...the armor is the power
of God that has been given to us to fight and to resist
the power of satan and the draw of the flesh.
A. This powerful armor is not dependent upon our
strength, alone...the armor has a strength of its
own.
Gal. 3:27 - 27For as many of you as were baptized into
Christ have put on Christ.
Rom. 13:12-14 - 12The night is far spent, the day is at
hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and
let us put on the armor of light. 13Let us walk properly, as
in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness
and lust, not in strife and envy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its
lusts.
II Cor. 6:1-10 - 1We then, as workers together with
Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in
vain. 2For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day
of salvation. 3We give no offense in anything, that our
ministry may not be blamed. 4But in all things we
commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience,
in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5in stripes, in
imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in
fastings; 6by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by
kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7by the word
of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of
righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8by
honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as
deceivers, and yet true; 9as unknown, and yet well known;
as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not
killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet
making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing
all things.
B. You see.......putting on the whole armor of God, is
accomplished when we “put on” Jesus Christ.
1. The armor is given to us at the same time that
the Holy Spirit is given to us.
a. How effective that armor is depends on
whether we use it or not.
b. How effective that armor is going to be is
dependent upon whether we see it for
the powerful potential that is there for
our use.
C. When we don’t understand....appreciate....or use
these amazing weapons......WE WILL BE
DEFEATED IN OUR STRUGGLES.
1. The temptations of satan will have an over-
whelming power, because we are not
using the shield of faith and trust in Christ
to resist the pull of these temptations.
2. If we will not crucify the flesh and deny
gratification of that flesh, we will lead our-
selves away from God and safety by our
own physical and fleshly lusts.
** Outside of the Lord, Jesus Christ....we have no strength,
no might...no power.
IV. This final point should not need to be addressed, but
so many are being defeated because they are naked.
A. They are no longer clothed with Jesus Christ.
1. The Spirit of God and the power of His
weapons seem to have no effect in the struggle
with sin.
a. It isn’t that the weapons have lost their
power, it is because some have either
forgot to use them, or they have gotten
undressed from their armor and have
put the covering of the world back on.
I Peter 4:1-11 - 1Therefore, since Christ suffered for
us IN THE FLESH, ARM YOURSELVES ALSO WITH
THE SAME MIND, for he who has suffered in the flesh
has ceased from sin, 2that he no longer should live the rest
of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will
of God. 3For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in
doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in
lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties,
and abominable idolatries. 4In regard to these, they think it
strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of
dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5They will give an
account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the
dead. 6For this reason the gospel was preached also to
those who are dead, that they might be judged according to
men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious
and watchful in your prayers. 8And above all things have
fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a
multitude of sins.” 9Be hospitable to one another without
grumbling. 10As each one has received a gift, minister it to
one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of
God. 11If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of
God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability
which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the
dominion forever and ever. Amen.
2. Christians are being told to arm themselves.
a. The only reason that I can see for this
admonition is that some have allowed
themselves to become defenseless and
powerless against the enemy.
1.) They have stopped resisting the
pull of the flesh.
2.) They have stopped resisting the
tricks of satan.
** In a physical battle, if one abandons his armor...he is
totally vulnerable and defenseless.
CONCLUSION:
What are we to do with this information?
A. First of all....we must be brought to our spiritual
senses.
1. We must understand if we are naked.
ILLUSTRATION: The Emperor’s Clothes - He was
duped...he listened to craft and trickery instead of believing
what was before his eyes.
a. Has satan talked us into taking our armor
off....are we running around naked?
1.) Do we truly have a faith in Christ
that will keep us from falling for
the appeal and tricks of satan?
a.) If this faith has been dropped
from our armor....we are soon
to die.
2.) Is our mind on Christ and the
salvation that is ours, through Him,
or have we gone back to the
thinking of the world.
3.) If we unbuckle the belt of truth
and subscribe to a lie of the
world... won’t our spiritual world
fall down around us.
a.) Have we duped ourselves into
accepting human reasoning
and excuses...instead of
adamantly holding to the
truth of God’s word...even
when that truth denies us of
the pleasurable things of this
world?
4.) Has our heart gone back to the
things of the past....the things that
we admitted were offensive and
knew were responsible for the
death of our Savior.
a.) Is it true of the parable...have
we undressed and laid our
breastplate down and have
gone back to wallowing in
the filth and slime of the
world?
5.) Are there Christian feet that have
gone astray and are lost.
a.) Has the “gospel of peace”
been wiped off at the doorpost
of the world?
6.) Lastly.......Is our defense the Word
of God....or have we tried to
live outside of His Word?
a.) Not only have some left off
defending the faith with the
sword of the Word......they
have actually fallen on that
sword and committed spiritual
suicide.
There are, of course those who have not even put on
Christ.....
A. They haven’t received the Holy Spirit, nor have
they clothed themselves in righteousness.
Acts 2:38 - 38Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let
every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit.
Gal. 3:27 - 27For as many of you as were baptized into
Christ have put on Christ.
1. These folks go about in a battle-ground
without any protection.
a. These need to be warned....prepare
yourself....put on the armor....be ready
to resist the forces of evil, and be
clothed in the uniform of the army of
God.
