The Way of War: Spiritual Warfare – Remedies, part 1
Ephesians 6: The WAYS of WAR: Remedies, part 1
Rodney Hobbs
Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 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, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Resisting requires the strength of God.
Resisting requires the resources of God.
Armor of God
It’s God’s armor
Exodus 15:3, Isaiah 11:5, 59:17, 52:7, 49:2
It’s all that we have and all that we are in the gospel.
It’s whole armor.
“Putting on” is difficult work.
Remedy 1: The belt of Truth.
Truth is foundational
The problem of no Truth. (Gen. 3:1-6)
Genesis 3:1-6
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
God has provided us Truth: The Word of God. It is the belt of Truth.
The putting on of Truth.
We consistently read the bible.
We consistently apply the bible.
Applications / implications:
How thoroughly am I studying the Scriptures?
How thoroughly am I allowing the Scriptures to study me?
Arm yourself for the day of evil – it’s coming.
(All scripture from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.