Ephesians 6:14-17a
14Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which You will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take the helmet of salvation…
Focused Thinking:
Notice the strength of words on this topic of “putting on the full armor of God.”
6:10 — Finanlly, BE STRONG in the Lord.
6:11 — PUT ON the full armor of God.
6:11b — so that you will be able to STAND FIRM against the schemes of the devil.
6:13 — Therefore, TAKE UP the full armor of God.
6:13b — so that you will be able to RESIST in the evil day and HAVING DONE EVERYTHING, to STAND FIRM.
6:14 — STAND FIRM therefore, (third time in four verses we are told to STAND FIRM).
How do I “STAND FIRM”?
…having girded your loins with truth, (this phase means the soldier put a belt around his waist).
- The soldier’s armor hung on the belt of truth.
- The belt of truth refers to the soldier’s integrity and faithfulness.
Satan is a liar, we must know the truth to fight against his lies.
…having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (Is 59:17)
- The breastplate protected the soldier’s chest from the enemy’s attacks.
- Sanctification/righteousness protects a believer’s heart from the enemy’s attacks.
Satan is the accuser (Rev 12:10). We must walk by the Spirit and not give the enemy the opportunity to attack.
…having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
- The shoes protect you and enable you to maintain a steady march.
- The shoes prepare you to carry the gospel of peace (Ro 10:15).
Satan is a divider and destroyer, we must walk in unity and peace.
…taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
- The Roman soldier’s shield was made of wood. It was 2 1/2 feet wide and 4 feet long. It was overlaid with linen and leather to absorb fiery arrows.
- The believer’s shield is the shield of faith. The believer’s faith can stop and extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Satan creates doubt and unbelief. We must stand against his attacks with confidence and belief.
…And take “THE HELMET OF SALVATION,”
- The helmet secures the head.
- The helmet of salvation provides the hope to persevere and press on.
- The helmet of salvation helps us focus on the present and future victory.
Personal Application:
Everyday I must put on the full armor of God.
I must put on the belt of truth.
- I must fight lies with truth.
I must put on the breastplate of righteousness.
- I must fight unrighteousness with righteousness.
I must put on shoes that prepare me to carry the gospel of peace.
- I must fight conflict with peace.
I must take up the shield of faith.
- I must fight doubt/unbelief with faith.
I must put on the helmet of salvation.
- I must fight fear of defeat with the hope of victory.
Interactive Prayer:
Father, help me to put on the full armor of God in my life through my priority time. Give me the desire and discipline to put on the full armor of God each day. Protect me from the desire to have a day off and not be prepared to fight. Give me the ability to be strong in You, to fight according to Your power. Make the Holy Spirit dominant in my life.
Strengthen my inner man with power through Your Spirit. Ground me in Your love by giving me the ability to comprehend with all the saints the breadth, length, height and depth of Your love. Give me the ability to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. Fill me up to all the fullness of God. Father, fill me up with Your Spirit. Give me the ability to walk by Your Spirit and bear the fruits of the Spirit.
Father, make me a great soldier for Your glory. Give me the ability to train others to be great soldiers. Help us equip our people to stand firm against the adversary.
Father, I pray that You protect the marriages at Highpoint against the attacks of the devil. Give us the ability to equip our families to put on the full armor of God. Help us do more than survive this battle, but help us to be dominant in the battle. Give us the ability to do more than play defense. Help us to play offense. Give us the ability to truly be Your light in this city. Give us the ability to chase out the darkness. Give us the ability to be known by love. I pray that we will be a “friend of sinners” to Memphis and beyond. Give us the ability to reach and equip more people. Help us build an army of soldiers instead of a church of attendees.
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