9-23-2018 Them are Fightin' Words Ephesians 6:14-20
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Introduction:
Wars Since 3600 B.C.
According to the Canadian Army Journal, a former president of the Norwegian Academy of Sciences, aided by historians from England, Egypt, Germany, and India came up with some fantastic figures and findings:
Since 3600 B.C. the world has known only 292 years of peace. During this period there have been 14,531 wars, large and small, in which 3,640,000,000 people have been killed. The value of the destruction would pay for a golden belt around the world 156 kilometers (97.2 miles) in width and 10 meters (about 33 feet) thick.
Since 650 B.C. there have been 1,656 arms races, only 16 of which have not ended in war. The remainder have ended in the economic collapse of the countries concerned.
Times of war are far more common than times of peace, yet we, as Christians, live as if times of war are non-existent in our own spiritual walk.
Transition:
Last week we read about our Source of Strength in verse 10, we identified our enemy in vv. 11-12. Then in v. 13 Paul’s command is that every Christian has to put on the “full armor of God,” we are commanded to put on the whole armor of God as our strategy. Now it is time to explore what exactly is the whole armor of God.
Scripture Reading:
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
(Wiersbe)
It is our responsibility as Christians never “give opportunity to the devil” (Eph 4:27), that is, leave any area unprotected so that Satan can get a foothold. The armor Paul describes is for protection; the sword (God’s Word) is for actual battle. The intent of a sword in battle is primarily to kill! Each part of the spiritual armor tells us what believers must have if they are to be protected against Satan. And how interesting is it that Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, chooses these five spiritual weapons: Truth, Righteousness, Readiness for Peace, Faith, and Salvation. How in the world could those things really be weapons for battle?!?
Transition:
Jesus says the church is to be a mighty army, storming and plundering the strongholds of the enemy (Matthew 16:18). Paul says the weapons God gives are able to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). Paul names these incredible weapons in this passage.
I. Our Weapons (vv. 14-17)
I. Our Weapons (vv. 14-17)
What will our weapons do while waging this warfare
In order to stand ground in the heat of battle, we need every piece of God’s armor. The order of the pieces listed in the following verses is the order in which a soldier would put them on.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
First, we are called to fasten the belt of truth around your waist. This belt was about six inches wide and made of leather. It held together the clothing underneath as well as holding the other pieces of armor in place, such as the breastplate and the sheath for the sword. It usually includes an apron that protected the lower abdomen. It may have also braced the back in order to give strength. When the belt was fastened, the soldier was “on duty,” ready to fight. A slackened belt meant “off duty.” Christians, however, must face each day with a fastened belt, ready to fight the battle when needed. As the belt formed the foundation of the soldier’s armor, the truth is the foundation of the Christian life. When the enemy, the father of lies (John 8:44), attacks with his lies, half-truths, and distortions, we believers can stand firm in the truth.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Next, the soldier must put on the body armor of God’s righteousness. The body armor was a large leather, bronze, or chain-mail piece that protected the body from the neck to the thighs. Protecting the vital organs, no soldier would go into battle without his body armor. Often this had a back piece too, protecting the body from hits from behind. Righteousness provides a significant defense; it gives the evidence that we have been made right with God and that this righteousness has been given us by the Holy Spirit. Satan seeks desperately to thwart righteous living. When the enemy, the accuser (Revelation 12:10), tries to convince us that we are not really saved, that we just keep on disappointing God, and that we’re “poor excuses” for Christians, we can stand up to him because of the righteousness we have been promised through our faith in Jesus Christ.
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
A soldier wore special sandals or military shoes that protected his feet without slowing him down. Roman soldiers had special shoes made of soft leather with studded soles. This allowed them to march farther and faster as well as giving them facility of motion in battle—they could dig in and hold their ground when in hand-to-hand combat.
Believers also need special shoes—peace that comes from the Good News. Believers can stand firm, with peace, even in hand-to-hand combat, because they know that they are doing right and that they are on the winning side. Christians are in the battle both with the inner peace Christ has already given and the desire to produce that peace in the hearts of others. This can only happen as they share this “gospel of peace” with those who have not yet heard and accepted it. When the enemy, the deceiver (Revelation 12:9), offers false ways to peace or tries to get us to focus on our concerns and fears, we Christian soldiers can stand up to him.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
The soldier needed to also carry extra protection in the form of a shield. The image was taken from the Roman shield, a large oblong or oval piece, approximately four feet high by two feet wide, made of wood and leather, often with an iron frame. Sometimes the leather would be soaked in water to help extinguish fiery arrows. The ancient “flaming arrow” or “fire dart” was made of cane with a flammable head that was lighted and then shot so as to set fire to wooden shields, cloth tents, etc. For Christians, this shield is faith—complete reliance on God. Faith means total dependence on God and willingness to do his will. It is not something we put on for a show for others. It means believing in his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet. When the enemy, the ruler of this world (John 12:31), sends his fiery arrows of temptation, doubt, wrath, lust, despair, vengeance, problems, and trials into our lives, we can hold up our shields and stop them. Faith gives us the strength to stand against Satan with firm courage, even when he uses his most fearsome weapons.
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
The helmet protected the soldier’s head. Helmets were made of leather and brass, or sometimes bronze and iron—no sword could pierce a good helmet. Spiritual Salvation, already accomplished, will be consummated when Christ comes to claim his own—however this is more lije . With the assurance of salvation protecting their minds, Christians can stand against Satan’s attacks. As a blow to the head often means death, so a person without hope of salvation will be easily defeated by the enemy. When the enemy, the Devil (1 Peter 5:8), seeks to devour and destroy God’s people with empty or evil thoughts, trying to get us to doubt our salvation, we can trust in the protection of the helmet. Our salvation will be accomplished, for God has promised it.
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Finally, the soldier takes the sword of the Spirit—the only offensive weapon mentioned. This refers to the short sword used in dose combat. The sharp, short sword was one of Rome’s great military innovations. The Roman army was called the “short swords” because of its use of the short swords in winning battles. The sword’s double edges made it ideal for “cut and thrust” strategy. The Spirit makes the word of God effective as we speak it and receive it. The Spirit gives the word its penetrating power and sharp edge. Jesus’ use of God’s word in his temptation prompts our use of it against Satan (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). With the Holy Spirit within, believers have the constant reminder of God’s word to use against Satan’s temptations. When the enemy, the tempter (Matthew 4:3–4; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), tries to tempt us to do evil, we have the power to send him away with the word of God. The Spirit will bring the words to mind.
Transition:
So how are those things: belts, breastplates, shoes, shields, helmets, and swords really weapons for spiritual battle?!? Well… the physical items represent the embodiment of spiritual weapons: Truth, Righteousness, Readiness for Peace, Faith, and Salvation.
Truth—Satan is a liar, but the Christian who really knows the truth cannot and will not be deceived.
Righteousness—This means the consistent daily walk of the Christian in right standing with YHWH. Satan is the accuser (Rev. 12:10), but the believer who walks in the light will give Satan no opportunity to attack. Warren Wiersbe said, “We stand in the imputed righteousness of Christ, and we walk in the imparted righteousness of the Holy Spirit.”
Readiness for Peace—Satan is a divider and a destroyer. When the believer walks in the way of peace, the Gospel way, then Satan cannot reach him. The Christian’s feet should be clean (John 13), beautiful (Rom. 10:15), and shod with the Gospel. Christians who are ready to witness for Christ have an easier time defeating the evil one.
Faith—Satan is the source of unbelief and doubt. “Has God indeed said?” is his favorite question (Gen. 3:1). Faith is what overcomes every foe (1 John 5:4). As believers use the shield of faith, the fiery darts of unbelief and doubt are kept away.
Salvation—This salvation probably refers to physical salvation-- our ultimate salvation when Christ returns. The believer whose mind is fixed on Christ’s imminent coming will not fall into Satan’s traps. The blessed hope must be like a helmet to protect the mind. Satan would love to have us believe that Christ is not coming back, or that He may not come back today. The other reason this salvation is likely a physical one is because Paul knew what Isaiah said already in the O.T.:
He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
Isaiah 59 is a picture of how Israel’s sins were bringing YHWH’s judgement rather than His blessings. But, in verse 14 and following, YHWH notices the injustice of the sad situation and does something about it— YHWH prepares Himself as seen in this verse here as going into a battle to fight and win Israel back by fighting against the physical enemies and physically saving Israel.
Transition:
Which of these weapons do you lack? righteous living? Readiness to give the gospel of peace? Faith that you can win battles of temptation? With these weapons, we now need to know where and when to use these things:
II. Our Battlefield (v. 18)
II. Our Battlefield (v. 18)
The battlefield where we wage this warfare
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
This verse, although not naming another “weapon” in the believer’s armor, does continue the thought of v17. As we take the sword of the Spirit, God’s word, we must also pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. So essentially, we use ALL of the armor and weapons ALL of the time, praying ALWAYS!
“in the Spirit”
Praying in the Spirit means that the Spirit helps us when we pray (Romans 8:26); the Spirit prays on our behalf (Romans 8:27); the Spirit makes God accessible (Ephesians 2:18); the Spirit gives us confidence when we pray (Romans 8:15–16; Galatians 4:6). He inspires and guides us when we pray. He helps us communicate with God and also brings God’s response to us.
The battlefield is in the prayer closet. It is there that victory is claimed as we pray in agreement with God concerning the strategic victory that is ours; and it is from there that we go forth by faith to experience tactical victories over the enemy in our daily life. Too many Christians are not praying living like defeated wimps instead of warriors! The reason being they do not understand who their God is nor who they are in relationship to Him. Consequently, they fail to understand things from the perspective of the victory that is theirs in Christ!
Several weeks ago, we discovered that as we learn to ACTIVELY wait on the Lord, we would be strengthened by an improved perspective, which leads to informed priorities, that enable us to maintain incredible perseverance. Notice how these are connected. Perseverance comes from a sense of priority, which is informed by an ever improving perspective, which I receive from the Lord as I walk humbly before Him, waiting on Him. How do I wait on the Lord? Through informed, interactive prayer! As I am informed by His Word and inspired by His Spirit in prayer, I will be led to pray in agreement with God, which leads to my having His perspective on my situation, revealing what should be my priorities, which enables me to persevere in that situation!
Paul is not calling prayer a weapon here per-se; instead, he was giving the how-to’s for taking up the armor described in the previous verses. We must not underestimate Satan’s forces. He has and will again strike in different ways at different people; therefore, we need to pray “all kinds” of prayers, allowing for all kinds of requests. Satan will attack at various times, but he will always be attacking someone. Satan will attack when we least expect it, so we need to stay alert to prayer needs when they arise. Satan will not let up if he thinks he can win the battle, so believers must be persistent in praying, no matter how long it takes. No believer is exempt from being Satan’s target—Satan demands battle against his enemies (believers). Thus all Christians everywhere need our prayer support.
But How can anyone pray at all times?
Make quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day—then as your day gives way, pray longer prayers both in the closet and out with others. Order your life around God’s desires and teachings so that your very life becomes a walking prayer. You can make prayer your life and your life a prayer while living in a world that needs God’s powerful influence. Do you pray all day long? And if not, will you start today?
So What? (v.19-20)
So What? (v.19-20)
These pieces of armor are for the believer’s protection; the sword of the Spirit and prayer are the powerful spiritual weapons for attacking Satan’s strongholds and defeating him. The Christian must fight spiritual enemies with spiritual weapons (2 Cor. 10:4), and the Word of God is the only sword we need. God’s sword has life and power (Heb. 4:12) and never grows dull. Christians conquer as they understand God’s Word, memorize it, and obey it. This is what winning the battle looks like:
and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
After asking the believers to pray for one another in the battle, Paul asked them to pray also for him. Paul wrote this letter as a Roman prisoner, yet his ministry could be virtually unhindered if he continued to speak the gospel message clearly. Not being discouraged and being undefeated, Paul wrote powerful letters of encouragement from prison. We must get this: Paul did not ask the Ephesians to pray that his chains would be removed; but rather that he would continue to boldly explain God’s mystery plan even as he wore his chains! PAUL DID NOT ALLOW HIS CIRCOMSTANCE to HINDER HIS MISSION AND HIS BATTLE --EVEN FROM PRISON!!
The “mystery plan” refers to God’s plan through the ages to draw both Jews and Gentiles to himself in one body, the church. Indeed, it was that very message that had landed Paul in prison in the first place ( As we saw a few Wednesday nights ago in Acts 22:17–23:11). Yet he considered himself God’s ambassador, a political term for a government’s legal representative. Paul realized that in being taken to Rome as a prisoner, he was actually acting as an ambassador for another “nation,” God’s Kingdom! He was proselytizing the guards as well as the other prisoners!!!
So What?
So What?
Conclusion:
Armor and weapons are not sufficient to win a battle; there must be energy to do the job. Our energy comes from prayer. We use the sword of the Spirit, and we pray in the Spirit: the Holy Spirit empowers us to win the battle. The Word of God and prayer are the two resources God has given the church to overcome the enemy and gain territory for God’s glory.
Christian soldiers must pray with their eyes open. “Watch and pray” is God’s secret for overcoming the world!
(Mark 13:33),
Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.
the flesh (Mark 14:38),
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
and the devil . We should also “watch and pray” for opportunities to serve Christ (Col. 4:2–3).
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
We should not only pray for ourselves, but we should also pray for our fellow soldiers. Paul was never too proud to ask for prayer. He wanted to have the power to be able to share the mystery, the very message that had brought him to jail. “Ambassador in chains” is a peculiar title, yet that is exactly what Paul was and we are to be. Chained to a different Roman soldier every six hours, Paul had a wonderful opportunity to witness for Christ. Who is around you often? Do they know who your Ambassador and Commander is?