Equipped for Battle: The Armor of God
Summary
In Ephesians 6:13-17, we are called to “lock in and win” by putting on the full armor of God, standing firm against the schemes of the devil. The armor is not our own; it is God’s, shared with us so that we can stand strong in a world designed for Christian compromise. Our battle is not against people, but against spiritual forces of evil. Therefore, our posture must be one of advancing, not retreating—holding our ground in our homes, our church, and our personal lives, always moving forward in faith.
Central to this is the belt of truth. We must be uncompromising about truth, holding tightly to it, knowing that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. The Word of God is our standard, and we are to immerse ourselves in Scripture more than in books about Scripture. Biblical fellowship is essential; as we gather, pray, and serve together, we are strengthened and equipped to face the world’s wounds and temptations. The church is God’s plan for equipping the saints, and there is no backup plan.
Satan’s strategy is subtle and incremental, often working through deceitful spirits and liars, even those close to us. We must be lie detectors, discerning appeals to tradition, emotion, false guilt, or faulty authority that are not rooted in Scripture. Our weaknesses can be exploited, but the strength of the local church is found in brothers and sisters who lovingly correct, encourage, and walk alongside us. Sincerity does not guarantee truth; only God’s Word is objective and settled.
We are called to reprove and correct, not to win arguments, but to win souls and restore others to soundness in the faith. The breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of gospel readiness, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation all serve to protect us and keep us moving forward. The imagery of Roman soldiers interlocking their shields reminds us that we are not meant to fight alone. When we lock shields—through prayer, fellowship, and mutual encouragement—we can withstand the flaming arrows of the evil one and advance together.
No one is perfect, and we must reject the facade of perfection. Instead, we admit our need for Christ and for one another, bearing each other’s burdens and building each other up. The armor of God is our means to lock in and win, standing firm in truth, righteousness, faith, and hope, always ready to share the gospel and support one another in the battle.
Key Takeaways
- Truth is non-negotiable and foundational for spiritual victory. To lock in and win, we must daily put on truth, immersing ourselves in Scripture and refusing to compromise, even when subtle lies or cultural pressures arise. The more we know Jesus and His Word, the more equipped we are to stand firm and resist deception. [02:37]
- Spiritual warfare is not a battle against people, but against the schemes of the devil, often working through others. Our response must be to love people, share the gospel, and recognize that the real enemy is spiritual. This perspective keeps us from bitterness and helps us focus on advancing God’s kingdom rather than fighting flesh and blood. [00:51]
- Satan’s primary strategy is incremental deception—using spirits and liars to gradually pull us away from truth. We must be vigilant lie detectors, testing every teaching, tradition, and emotional appeal against the plumb line of God’s Word. Only by constant alignment with Scripture can we avoid being led astray, even by those closest to us. [14:42]
- The strength of the church is found in unity and mutual support. Like Roman soldiers interlocking their shields, we are called to lock in together—praying, encouraging, correcting, and bearing one another’s burdens. Isolation is dangerous; victory comes when we admit our need for help and stand together in authentic fellowship. [37:10]
- The armor of God is both defensive and offensive. Each piece—truth, righteousness, gospel readiness, faith, and hope—protects us and enables us to advance. We are not called to retreat or merely survive, but to move forward, exposing lies, sharing the gospel, and building each other up, always remembering that our sufficiency is in Christ, not ourselves. [39:30]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:51] - Standing Firm: The Call to Spiritual Battle
[02:37] - Locking into Truth and the Role of the Church
[10:03] - The Power of Speaking God’s Word
[11:30] - Faith Comes by Hearing: The Necessity of Proclamation
[13:06] - Satan’s Two-Step Strategy: Spirits and Liars
[14:42] - The Plumb Line: Aligning with God’s Word
[18:10] - Family, Division, and Uncompromising Commitment
[20:53] - Becoming Lie Detectors: Discernment in Practice
[27:11] - Reproving and Restoring Others
[28:39] - Repentance and the Gospel
[32:18] - Walking in the Light: Fruit of Truth and Righteousness
[35:31] - Gospel Readiness and the Shoes of Peace
[37:10] - The Shield of Faith: Locking Shields Together
[39:30] - Advancing Together: Offensive Spiritual Warfare
[41:50] - The Helmet of Salvation and Hope
[44:28] - Battling Flaming Arrows: Real Struggles of Believers
[45:48] - Authentic Fellowship: Bearing Each Other’s Burdens
[47:00] - Rejecting Perfectionism: Embracing Grace
[47:55] - The Armor’s Purpose: Combating Lies, Wickedness, and Death
[50:30] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Lock In and Win” (Ephesians 6:13-17)
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### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:13-17
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
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### Observation Questions
1. What are the different pieces of the armor of God listed in Ephesians 6:13-17, and what does each one represent?
2. According to the sermon, what is the main purpose of the armor of God? ([00:51])
3. How does the sermon describe the “battle” we are in? Who or what are we actually fighting against? ([00:51])
4. What is the significance of the “belt of truth” as described in the sermon? ([02:37])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says the armor is “not our own; it is God’s, shared with us.” What does it mean to put on something that belongs to God, and how does that change the way we approach spiritual battles? ([00:51])
2. The pastor emphasized that our struggle is not against people, but against spiritual forces. How does this perspective affect the way we respond to conflict or opposition from others? ([00:51])
3. The sermon warns that Satan’s strategy is “subtle and incremental.” What are some ways subtle lies or cultural pressures might pull Christians away from truth? ([14:42])
4. The imagery of Roman soldiers interlocking shields was used to describe the church. What does this teach us about the importance of unity and fellowship in the Christian life? ([37:10])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “Truth is non-negotiable and foundational for spiritual victory.” Are there areas in your life where you have been tempted to compromise on truth, even in small ways? What would it look like to “lock in” to truth this week? ([02:37])
2. The pastor challenged us to immerse ourselves in Scripture more than in books about Scripture. How much of your spiritual intake is direct Bible reading versus other Christian content? What is one step you can take to increase your time in God’s Word? ([02:37])
3. The message described the church as God’s only plan for equipping the saints, with “no backup plan.” How connected are you to biblical fellowship right now? Is there a specific way you can deepen your involvement or support others in your church family? ([37:10])
4. The sermon called us to be “lie detectors,” testing every teaching, tradition, or emotional appeal against God’s Word. Can you think of a recent situation where you needed discernment? How did you respond, and what would you do differently now? ([14:42])
5. The pastor said, “No one is perfect, and we must reject the facade of perfection.” Is there an area where you feel pressure to appear perfect to others? How can you be more authentic and ask for help or prayer from your group? ([47:00])
6. The imagery of locking shields together was used to show how we withstand attacks. Who are the people you “lock shields” with in your spiritual life? Is there someone you need to reach out to for encouragement or accountability this week? ([37:10])
7. The armor of God is both defensive and offensive. What is one way you can “advance” in your faith this week—whether by sharing the gospel, correcting a lie, or building someone up? ([39:30])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Pray for each other to stand firm in truth, to be protected from subtle lies, and to grow in unity as a group—locking shields together in faith.
Devotional
Day 1: Stand Firm in Spiritual Battle by Putting on God’s Armor
God calls believers to actively put on His armor, not relying on their own strength but on what He provides, so that they can stand firm against the schemes of the devil. This armor is not for retreat but for advancing in faith, keeping the church and home godly, and sharing the gospel. The battle is not against people, but against spiritual forces of evil, and standing firm is equated with winning. Christians are to lock in together, resist evil purposefully, and never compromise on the truth, knowing that God’s armor is both a gift and a responsibility. [00:51]
Ephesians 6:10-17 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to “stand firm” today, and what would it look like to actively put on God’s armor in that situation?
Day 2: Lock In to Truth and Reject Lies
Truth is not subjective or internal, but is found in Christ and His Word; believers are called to put on truth daily, laying aside falsehood and speaking truth to combat the lies of the enemy. Lies attack your identity, sufficiency, and worth in Christ, but by hiding God’s Word in your heart and speaking it aloud, you resist these attacks and stand strong. The regular habit of immersing yourself in Scripture, biblical fellowship, and prayer strengthens you and the church, helping you to detect and reject the subtle and gradual compromises that Satan uses. [02:37]
Ephesians 4:24-25 (ESV)
And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Reflection: What is one lie about your identity or worth that you need to lay aside today, and what specific truth from God’s Word can you speak over yourself instead?
Day 3: Be Gospel Ready and Share the Hope of Christ
Believers are to have their feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel, always prepared to share the message of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. The gospel is the power of God for salvation, and being gospel ready means regularly reminding yourself of its truth, repenting and believing, and being able to point others to the hope found in Jesus. This readiness is not just for personal assurance but for the urgent mission of reaching others, knowing that the wisdom to win souls comes from God. [35:31]
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (ESV)
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally share the hope of the gospel with this week, and how can you prepare yourself to do so?
Day 4: Lock Shields Together—The Power of Christian Fellowship
Just as Roman soldiers interlocked their shields for protection and advancement, Christians are called to lock in together through prayer, fellowship, and mutual encouragement, forming a strong defense against the enemy’s attacks. Isolation makes you vulnerable, but joining with others in the church—bearing one another’s burdens, praying, and standing on God’s Word—enables you to weather any storm and move forward in faith. Admitting your need for help and supporting others is not weakness but God’s design for victory in spiritual warfare. [45:48]
Galatians 6:1-3 (ESV)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Reflection: Who in your church family can you reach out to for support or encouragement today, or who might need you to lock shields with them in prayer and fellowship?
Day 5: Discern Lies and Cling to God’s Objective Truth
Satan’s strategy is to use deceitful spirits and liars to subtly lead believers astray, often through tradition, emotion, false guilt, or appeals to authority other than Scripture. Christians must be lie detectors, testing everything against the plumb line of God’s Word, and reproving lies not to win arguments but to restore others to sound faith. Truth is objective, settled in heaven, and must be rightly divided and applied; sincerity alone is not enough—only God’s Word is the standard for belief and practice. [20:53]
Psalm 119:89 (ESV)
Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Reflection: What is one area where you need to test your beliefs or practices against God’s Word today, and how can you ensure you are clinging to His objective truth rather than tradition or emotion?
Quotes
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