Last week's lesson below this week: (check for the voice message on Sermons on our home page)
21 June: Finding Protection in God’s Armor
In 1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” And as I referenced last week, we see throughout Scripture Satan’s influence in the lives of so many people. And, sadly, Satan is still alive and well today.
But here is the good news: Jesus understands the problem with living in this world and the natural temptations to sin. As Rom 3:23 tells us – all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The problem, as the Hebrews writer tell us, is that the blood of bulls and goats cannot remove our sins from us. This is why it was necessary that Christ, without sin, was offered up as a sacrifice for us all. 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.” 1 Cor 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This victory refers to the battle for us with regard to death and sin, eternal life or eternal death.
We see this explained perfectly in Peter’s letter: 1 Peter 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
These passages tell us the path taken by our Lord in order to obtain for us a restored relationship in this life and leading us to eternity with the Father. Thankfully, God’s plans and actions are not limited to what He did through Christ. God also has plans for helping us in this life so that we may enjoy the blessings of His love and protection today. One help given us is the Holy Spirit: John 14:16, 18 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Acts 3:38 “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This God Spirit leads, convicts, comforts, and empowers us so that Its fruit will bless our lives while on this earth (Gal 5:22,23).
A second help which has been provide to us is God’s family: 1 Thess 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Heb 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Gal 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Romans 15:2 “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” Our involvement with one another is critical in order to fulfill the intent of these Scriptures. Remember, these words are God’s words, teachings and expectations!
A third help is God’s holy Scriptures: Rom 15:4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” 2 Tim 3:16,17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Today I want to continue our examination of the Scriptural help we have been given and see specifically what Gods’ word tells us we have been given for this spiritual battle we are engaged in. In Ephesians 6 we are told of armor given to us: Eph 6:13-18 “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in 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. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints”.
Last week we looked at the belt of truth which would call us to study and KNOW God’s word. Paul warns us in Eph 4:14 “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming”. The truth of God’s word must be anchored in our hearts and minds.
The next piece of armor was the breast plate of righteousness. . Phil 3:9 “I have a righteousness … through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.” We all know if we are honest that we have all of us sinned and lost our own righteousness. The only hope we have to recover ‘righteousness’ is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our putting on the breastplate which He gives us is the act of putting on the Lord in our hearts and living in obedience to the truth which we have studied and learned.
The third piece of armor are the shoes which carry the gospel of peace.
Eph 6:15 15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; You will notice that the ‘gospel of peace’ is located on our feet. It prepares us for doing what – moving forward and into battle. In OUR hearts there can be ‘peace’, confidence and assurance. John 16:33 ““I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
This then allows us to move forward in battle holding up the next piece of armor: our shield of faith. Eph 6:16 “…taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” The author of Hebrews 11 gives us many examples of people who lived “by faith,” and they all have something in common: They lived in light of God’s promises, regardless of what they could see in the moment. Similarly, we take up the shield of faith when we live in light of God’s promises rather than in response to our feelings or circumstances. Gal 2:20 “. . . and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
It is this faith which later allows Paul to write 2 Tim 4:7,8 “I have fought the fight, and I have run the race, and there now awaits for me a crown of righteousness.” When Satan attacks with doubts, the shield of faith turns aside the blow. When temptations come, faith and trust keeps us steadfast in following Jesus. Keeping our focus on God’s promises shields us from Satan’s flaming darts that tempt us to discontent, despair, and disobedience.
The next piece of armor: Eph 6: 17 And take the helmet of salvation …” In his letters, Paul makes it clear that what we think about matters. He tells us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). He tells us to consider what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, etc. and “think about these things” (Phil. 4:8). And in the armor of God, he includes a protection for our heads—the helmet of salvation. Our minds are often a battleground, and no matter what distraction, deception, or temptation we face, our salvation in Christ provides protection. We’re saved, not because of our own efforts, but because of Jesus’s work on the cross. We can put on the helmet of salvation by thinking about what Christ has done to save us. Dwelling on these things gives us motivation to resist temptation and live in obedience to Christ.
The helmet of salvation reflects the fact that we KNOW our sins are removed and are therefore assured of our eternal life with the Father. Even though we may stumble, and like Paul, (Rom 7) struggle to act as we should (and fail at times), the fact that we have a knowledge and assurance of salvation – we to can be lifted up and encouraged to continue our good fight and to continue our race in order to obtain our crown of life. Rom 8:37 – 39 “But in all things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him wo loved us. For I am convinced that (nothing) will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”
With this assurance we can boldly go out and use God’s sword to put an end to Satan’s forces: Eph 6: 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The sword that we are to use in battle is the Word of God. If you remember in the temptations of the Lord, He responded to Satan’s challenges with passages from God’s Word. If we are going to have any hope of knowing how to please God, to make decisions which please God, we first must know God’s Word. The only way to resist temptations that are coming our way is to know the correct answer and respond with it. 2 Tim 3:16,17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the Man of God may be adequate, equip(ing us) for every good work.”
God’s armor will protect and sustain us against even the devil’s schemes so that we might live faithfully and fully in His presence.
Paul ends this passage with these words: Eph 6: 18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints”.
Paul wraps up this analogy of being a soldier with God’s armor on with the instructions to pray. He has been sharing with his readers how God’s armor can and will protect a soldier in this spiritual battle and thus enable us to be a true and valiant warrior for Christ. But, we must realize that the battle will NOT be won by OUR might and ability. In this battle we must be sure to include God the Father in our actions.
Luke 18:1 “And He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray, and not to lose heart.” 1 Thess 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” James 5:13 “Is anyone among you sick (problems/difficulties/struggles)? Then he must pray.” Phil 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplications with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.”
So, before we put on the armor of God – pray. After we put on the armor of God but before we go out to battle – pray. While we are in battle – pray. After our battle, win or lose, pray. Because sometimes we will fail. God won’t fail us but all of us may at times falter and fall. And when we are victorious, when God is victorious through us, pray a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
Prayer reminds us that we use all of this armor in dependence on the Spirit. He is God’s power at work within us, enabling us to put on the armor and stand strong in the Lord. So let us leave this building and go out as trusting and faithful soldiers in God’s army.
14 June: Finding Protection in God's Armor
In 1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” We see the truth of that in the Garden when Satan succeeds in deceiving Eve; we see the truth of that when Shadrach is thrown into the furnace; we see the truth of that when Satan actively attacks Job; we hear the Lord giving credit to Satan when Peter rejects God’s plan for Jesus on the cross. Satan is certainly behind Paul’s persecution of the church and Scripture even records the conflict that occurs between Jesus & Satan out in the wilderness.
And here is the really bad news – Satan is still alive and well today! Consider: Mtt 13:22 “and the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Guess who it is that is behind this distraction and the falling away from God’s kingdom??? Remember, Jesus says no man can serve two masters. Either we are serving God’s kingdom like the sheep who clothe, feed and water those in need or we are the goats who do nothing in the name of Christ and seek to serve only our own wants and wishes.
It is a constant struggle to take up our cross and follow Jesus. If we are not purposeful in serving the Lord then we will often times catch ourselves attending to the cares of this world and forsaking the desires of the Lord. Remember Jesus’ accusation to Peter when Peter rejects God’s plan: Mtt 16:23 “But Jesus turned to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; For you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s”.
But here is the good news: Jesus understood and understands the problem with living in this world and its natural temptations. What does Scripture tells us: Christ was tempted in all things just as we are. But, here is the “gooder” news – 1 Cor 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 John 5:4 “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” Deut 20:4 “For the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’” We need to realize that there is an adversary out there who wants us to fall from the presence of God and live our lives the way we want to but that way is the way to death. What does Jesus say – Mk 8:36 “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
The question we must ask ourselves is – who are we listening to? Self and sin or God? Luckily God has not left us to fend for ourselves: Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you”. Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” . John 14:16, 18 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with your forever. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Rom 15:4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” 2 Tim 3:16,17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Scripture has been provided to us so that like Jesus – whenever Satan comes at us we have a ready reply to resist him. Heb 13:6 “So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” One way we are helped by the Lord is explained in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: Eph 6:11-13 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
I hope you notice something. Satan is here on this earth trying his best to separate us from God. And God, He is providing for us a way to combat Satan’s efforts. 1 Cor 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” So, what is it that God has done in order that we might resist Satan’s antics? What is something that we can do to make sure that the master we are serving is our Lord? What is something that we can do to ensure that we are ready for the return of the Lord so that He will find us doing His work and being His faithful servants? We can use the resources which the Lord has given us: 1) Holy Spirit 2) Scripture 3) Family
Today I want to look at the second provision that we have been given, specifically what Scripture tells us regarding one of God’s gifts – armor for battle:
Eph 6:13-18 “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in 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. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints”.
The first part of the armor which we have been given is the belt of truth: Ephesians 6:14 “Stand firm therefore, having belted/girdled your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness”. The first item of help is truth. James warns us that our minds are not to be tossed about like ships by every new doctrine that comes around. In John 8:44 Jesus says the devil “is a liar and the father of lies.” Satan has been leading people astray by distorting God’s truth since he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden. Likewise, he tempts us to question God’s word, character, power, and promises with subtle lies that often seem plausible. The only way we can detect his deception is to KNOW the truth. We need to have an assurance in our minds as to which direction we are going, who we are serving and the goals we are seeking in our lives. In the same way that a belt or girdle holds everything in place, we need to have commitment, confidence and assurance as to who, which master, we are serving and why we are serving. Putting on the belt of truth might look like regularly reading and studying God’s word, calling to mind and clinging to specific truths that pertain to particular areas of temptation, and asking other believers to help us apply the truth to our struggles. If you recall last week’s lesson, we as a unified family encourage, strengthen and uplift each other. Jesus teaches in Matthew 18:15–17 that if a brother sins, you should first confront him privately: “Go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens, you have won your brother.”
John 8:31,32 “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word (study, know), then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Let us spend as much time in God’s word as we do focused on other aspects of this world. Let us not be like the seeds in the thorns. Second armor:
Ephesians 6:14 “Stand firm therefore, having belted/girdled your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness”. Wearing/having the breast plate of righteousness is important because we need to know with confidence the state of our soul. Phil 3:9 “I have a righteousness … through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.” 2 Cor 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” The breastplate of righteousness covers our hearts because that’s where our sin originates. Jesus explicitly addresses the origin of sin in Mark 7:21-23 "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, …. arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man".
On our own, we know that no one is righteous (sinless) for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Our having and putting on the breastplate of righteousness is our putting on the Lord in our hearts and thereby receiving HIS righteousness. Once we’re covered by Christ’s righteousness, we take up that righteousness by living in obedience to God.
As 1 John 3:4-10 explains, “whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as [Christ] is righteous” and “no one born of God makes a practice of sinning”. In other words, one of the primary ways in which we are wearing our breastplate of righteousness is to make a practice of doing what is right rather than to make a practice of sinning. When we choose to live in obedience to God’s law, we’re taking up the breastplate of righteousness which we have in Christ. With this knowledge of approval in God’s eyes, we can go forth in battle confident of God’s support. The third piece of armor:
Eph 6:15 15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; You will notice that the ‘gospel of peace’ is located on our feet. It prepares us for doing what – moving forward and into battle. If you talk to any soldier who has gone into battle, if they are truthful, they will tell you of the fear and trepidation that is within their hearts. In OUR hearts there can be ‘peace’, confidence and assurance. John 16:33 ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus tells us: John 10:10,11 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
I read these two verses in full because in our study today we are acknowledging there is and adversary against us - Satan. And, we also know who is on our side fighting and redeeming us – not just Jesus who is our Lord but also our SAVIOR. Just like the man who dug down to the bedrock in order to put the foundation of his house – we can and should be building our faith on Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31) Jesus is most definitely for us!!!
Rom 5:1,2 “Therefore, since we have been justified (made righteous) through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand”. God’s grace combined with our faith gives us peace for our future – here and the hereafter. Eph 2:17,18 “And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we have our access in one Spirit to the Father. We have been given to wear in our lives the gospel of peace and all that it entails.
With this assurance and confidence we can not only echo but we can also LIVE the spirit of truth we find in Rom 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
God knows our adversary and He knows us. He defeats Satan and supports and loves us. Let our lives reflect that truth and let us share that truth with those who will listen.