Equipping for Spiritual Battle: The Armor of God
Summary
In a sermon centered on the spiritual battle Christians face, the speaker began by setting the stage for the final installment of the Ephesians Journey series, focusing on the armor of God. The congregation was reminded of their higher calling in Christ and the challenges that come with living a life worthy of Him. The speaker emphasized the necessity of using the right spiritual weapons to combat the devil's attempts to steal, kill, and destroy.
The sermon delved into the stark contrast between a life led by sinful behaviors and one guided by the Holy Spirit. The speaker warned that those who indulge in sin will not inherit the kingdom of God, while the Spirit produces fruit such as love, joy, and self-control. The importance of confession, repentance, and following the Spirit's lead was underscored, with the belt of Truth being the first piece of armor discussed.
The speaker encouraged the congregation to stand firm in their faith, equipping themselves with the full armor of God, including the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. The sermon concluded with a call to action for personal salvation and a daily commitment to putting on God's armor.
A poignant moment came as the speaker invited the congregation to the altar to pray and surrender their struggles to God. The importance of the breastplate of righteousness and readiness from the gospel of peace was highlighted, with the speaker sharing their own practice of praying the armor of God over their family each day.
The speaker also stressed the power of the word of God in overcoming sin and temptation. They urged the congregation to memorize scripture and believe in its power, rather than complaining about their battles. The reality of the devil's schemes was made clear, with the speaker warning against being deceived into thinking that the enemy is anything other than the devil himself.
Key Takeaways:
- The spiritual battle Christians face requires the full armor of God, not just one or two pieces. The belt of Truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit are all essential for standing firm against the devil's schemes. This armor is not just metaphorical but represents daily practices and attitudes that fortify a believer's life against spiritual attacks. [47:03]
- The fruit of the Spirit is a direct contrast to the works of the flesh. Where sin abounds, the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, and self-control. This transformation is evidence of a life surrendered to God and is essential for inheriting the kingdom of God. It's not enough to avoid sin; one must also cultivate the positive attributes that the Holy Spirit brings into a believer's life. [45:42]
- The word of God is the believer's offensive weapon in the spiritual battle. Memorizing and proclaiming scripture is crucial for victory over sin. The power of the word is unmatched and serves as the greatest source of healing and victory. It is sharper than any challenge faced and must be wielded with confidence and faith. [01:00:26]
- Recognizing the true enemy is vital in the spiritual battle. The devil is a real and active adversary, not a metaphorical concept. He seeks to corrupt and blind humanity, and his tactics are not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Understanding this helps believers to use the right weapons and avoid repeated defeat. [37:35]
- Salvation and the word of God are foundational to a believer's faith. The helmet of salvation protects the mind from doubt and discouragement, while the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, is essential for fighting spiritual battles. These elements are not just for personal edification but also for being a tender warrior for others. [58:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
> Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
2. Galatians 5:19-25 (NIV)
> The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
3. Genesis 4:6-7 (NIV)
> Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
### Observation Questions
1. What are the different pieces of the armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-18?
2. According to Galatians 5:19-25, what are the acts of the flesh, and how do they contrast with the fruit of the Spirit?
3. In Genesis 4:6-7, what warning does God give to Cain about sin, and how does this relate to the spiritual battle discussed in the sermon?
4. What does the speaker say about the importance of recognizing the true enemy in our spiritual battles? ([37:35])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the "full armor of God" in Ephesians 6:10-18 help believers stand firm against the devil's schemes? ([32:51])
2. Why is it important to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:19-25, and how does this help in the spiritual battle against sin?
3. What does the speaker mean when he says that the devil is a real and active adversary, and how should this understanding affect a believer's daily life? ([37:35])
4. How can the practice of praying the armor of God over oneself and one's family, as mentioned by the speaker, impact one's spiritual readiness and protection? ([35:17])
### Application Questions
1. The speaker emphasized the necessity of using the right spiritual weapons to combat the devil's attempts to steal, kill, and destroy. What specific spiritual weapons do you need to focus on more in your daily life? ([32:51])
2. Reflect on the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to cultivate, and what steps can you take to grow in that area?
3. The speaker shared his practice of praying the armor of God over his family each day. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily routine to enhance your spiritual protection? ([35:17])
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of recognizing the true enemy in our spiritual battles. How can you become more aware of the devil's schemes in your life, and what strategies can you use to stand firm against them? ([37:35])
5. The speaker mentioned the power of the word of God in overcoming sin and temptation. What specific scriptures can you memorize and proclaim to help you in your current spiritual battles? ([59:15])
6. How can you ensure that you are not relying on worldly weapons but on God's weapons in your fight against sin and temptation? ([32:51])
7. The sermon concluded with a call to action for personal salvation and a daily commitment to putting on God's armor. What steps can you take this week to deepen your commitment to living a life worthy of your calling in Christ? ([32:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Armor for the Spiritual Battle
The full armor of God is essential for withstanding the devil's schemes, encompassing truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, and the Spirit. Each piece represents daily practices and attitudes that protect and strengthen believers against spiritual attacks. [47:03]
Ephesians 6:13-17 - "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."
Reflection: Which piece of the spiritual armor do you feel you are lacking, and how can you actively work to strengthen that area of your life?
Day 2: Fruitful Living in the Spirit
The Spirit's fruit in a believer's life is a stark contrast to the works of the flesh, producing love, joy, peace, and self-control. This transformation is a testament to a life surrendered to God and is crucial for inheriting His kingdom. [45:42]
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Reflection: What fruit of the Spirit do you need to cultivate more of in your life, and what practical steps can you take to do so?
Day 3: The Word as Our Weapon
The word of God is the believer's offensive weapon, sharper than any two-edged sword, and essential for overcoming sin and temptation. Memorizing and believing in scripture's power is crucial for spiritual victory. [01:00:26]
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Reflection: What scripture can you commit to memory this week that will help you combat a specific temptation or challenge you are facing?
Day 4: Recognizing the True Enemy
Understanding that the devil is the true enemy is vital for engaging in spiritual warfare. His tactics are spiritual, aiming to deceive and corrupt, and recognizing this helps believers to fight effectively. [37:35]
1 Peter 5:8-9 - "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
Reflection: How can you better prepare yourself to recognize and resist the devil's schemes in your daily life?
Day 5: Salvation and the Word as Foundations
The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit are foundational to a believer's faith, protecting the mind and empowering the fight against spiritual battles. These elements are crucial for personal edification and for being a tender warrior for others. [58:00]
1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 - "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How does the assurance of salvation impact your daily life, and in what ways can you wield the word of God more effectively to help others?
Quotes
"You want to defeat the sin in your life? Get in the word of God and I'm telling you there is power in the word. We've misunderstood this in today's culture and we've let the culture convince us that healing comes from many different ways." [59:15] (Download)
"There's only one weapon though, and it's the sword of the spirit because there is nothing greater than the word of God and don't let the LIE of the enemy ever convince you of anything different because there's power in the word of God." [01:00:26] (Download)
"We choose to live right, we can walk out of here and say Jesus loves you, but do we live it out? Do we live righteously, do we live out our faith?" [50:56] (Download)
"Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace... we're going to put our shoes on based on where we're going." [52:44] (Download)
"I'm going to put on the helmet of salvation today; I'm not going to walk discouraged, I'm going to walk with confidence in my God knowing that I can overcome that which I'm going to face." [01:05:15] (Download)
"The truth is Jesus, He is the way, the truth, and the life. The truth is the word of God. Why do we need to put on the truth every day? Because the world is full of lies and the enemy is trying to give you lie after lie." [47:45] (Download)
"It's a breastplate of righteousness... it protects what's on the inside, protects my emotions, protects my heart, protects my feelings so that I can go live right and I don't let the enemy attack me on the inside." [49:43] (Download)
"The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There's no law against these things." [45:05] (Download)
"Since we're living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another." [45:42] (Download)
"Your enemy is not the one next to you, your enemy is not your kids, your family member, or the one that cut you off in traffic. Your enemy is real and we got to know how to fight against our enemy because we're using the wrong weapons today." [37:35] (Download)
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