Refine Women s Ministry Standing Firm: The Full Armor of God Belt of Truth & Breastplate of Righteousness September 19, 2018 by Ann Malm Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord in not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness Ephesians 6:14 Stand Therefore, Last week we looked at the battle the Christian is engaged in. We talked about how we as believers as individuals are part of a great army. We are therefore responsible to those fighting along-side us. When one of us is wounded in battle, we tend to them. We take our duty to be a faithful soldier seriously because failure on our part affects those around us. We also took a look at our enemy. We discovered that our fight is not with flesh and blood. Remembering, the Lord s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Tim 2:24-26) Instead, our very real enemy is the devil, and his schemes, his powerful and cunning forces; wrestling against the powers and the rulers of the darkness, the spiritual forces of evil. Paul is very clear about how to engage in this war. We are to stand firm in the strength of the Lord and by the power of His might and by putting on the whole armor of God. Today we begin to get specific about just what this armor is composed of. When the apostle Paul describes the armor of God, he is talking about more than a simple set of helpful tips. He is talking about the impregnable defenses of the Almighty God. These powerful defenses available to us as Christians are key to withstanding the attacks and onslaughts of the devil. Our confidence must be placed rightly in such things. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us! Being strong in the Lord and in His power, we can stand firm. He is our refuge and strength, He is our mighty fortress! Not to say that He hasn t given us responsibilities, we are to be active in our pursuit of knowing Christ and in that pursuit we become more and more like him. Philippians 3:10,12 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ has made me His own. When looking at the individual pieces of armor we will begin to notice that it is Christ s character that we rely on and is what we are putting on. This is what holds us up, keeps us from slipping and protects us in conflict. First things to attend to are the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. These are metaphors for the spiritual resources given to the believer in Christ. Paul was a Roman prisoner at the time of his writing the letter to the Ephesians. He was living in a home and had one guard living with him. Paul was very busy with his ministry during this time, writing letters to the churches and teaching anyone who came to him. It is easy to see how Paul came up with this particular metaphor, having observed Roman soldiers on a daily basis. 1
having fastened on the belt, This is not something that is done for us, but the language indicates action. We are to fasten the belt on. We have to put it firmly in position. It is an essential piece of armor that is put on before any of the other armor. In Paul s day it was common for men to wear loose clothing. The purpose of the belt was to gather up the loose material and bind it up so that the soldier could function without hindrance. When one was sitting down and relaxing, a belt was not needed, but when it came time for action, the garments would be gathered up and fastened with such a belt as what Paul has in mind here. When facing an enemy, a soldier would fix his clothing firmly in position using a belt so as to not trip or stumble on them. Having fastened his belt the soldier is now ready to move into action and is then able to take up the other pieces of his armor. We must be ready for action! This is always the first step; this mental attitude of watchfulness, carefulness, alertness. Jesus constantly warned his disciples to be watchful. Luke 12:35 Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, So the Christian is to be always dressed for action. of truth There is some discussion among commentators as to what this truth is referring to exactly. Is it objective or is it subjective truth? Objective, as in standing in the truth once delivered to the Saints; as in I am the Truth, the Way the Life? Ephesians 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 2 Tim 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Subjective truth; as in I am committed to the truth and committed to truth-telling at the core of my being; integrity, sincerity. Psalm 51:6a Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his book The Christian Soldier argues that first and foremost it represents the whole objective truth of God as in the whole truth of the Bible, the whole truth concerning the doctrine of salvation. He asserts that Paul is speaking of truth in an objective manner, but that it also impacts us subjectively. I agree with Dr. Jones in that it cannot be merely subjective truth, for that would be relying on our own sincerity as the fundamental piece of armor and that simply can t be, because this armor is provided us by God, so it can t come from us, but must be given to us. Dr. Llyod Jones concludes, It is the objective truth, which I possess in a subjective manner. This includes a mastery of the truth; being held in truth. This is the thing that binds me and holds me together and puts me on my feet and gives me vigor and strength and power...i do not merely look at the Bible intellectually and study it as if it were, say, the Works of Shakespeare, but rather that its truth gets hold of me and governs my whole attitude to the works, the flesh, and the devil, and to everything that happens. I have girded myself up with it. 2
Without the truth to guide us we are completely lost, therefore it makes sense to be the first thing that must be put on. Remember how our enemy operates. He is the deceiver. Jesus said of Satan, He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 He will try to confuse us, as he did Eve in the garden, 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? (Genesis 3:1) He will attempt to lead us astray by distorting the truth. Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, and On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. (Matthew 4:5,6) His attacks are meant to cause us to doubt God s Word, to make God s people uncertain of it, to cause them to question even the most elementary things. The whole of 1 Corinthians 15 from which our theme verse comes is a rebuttal to the lie that there would be no resurrection of the body. Paul warns the elders of the Ephesian church, Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:28-32 We must fasten on this belt of truth, for without knowledge of what we believe, and of Him in whom we believe we will be defeated right out of the gate. How are we to fasten this belt on? Remember Paul s instruction earlier in Ephesians, And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Ephesians 4:11-14) Therefore, truth should cleave to us as a belt cleaves to our body. and having put on the breastplate Next, we move on to the breastplate of righteousness. The first thing to note about this piece of armor is what it covers. The heart, lungs and other vital organs are protected by the breastplate. In ancient times the idea that the vital organs were the seat of the affections was common. They attached significance to practically all of them. Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. 3
The heart here is the Hebrew masculine noun, leb (Strongs 3820). It refers to the inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding; conscience, heart (of moral character), seat of appetites, emotions and passions, and as the seat of courage. Dr. Llyod-Jones points out, So the Apostle, here, when he tells us to put on the breastplate of righteousness, is concerned that in this conflict, this wrestling that we are engaged in with the world, and the flesh, and the devil, there should be no part we should be more careful about in regard to protection than that where the feelings and the affections are controlled. And not just the feelings and the affections, but the conscience also, and the desires and the will. It doesn t take any time at all to acknowledge that our feelings, affections and desires are where the enemy points his arrows. So they need to be protected and guarded very carefully. of righteousness, The breastplate of righteousness is composed of the righteousness of God which is by faith. This is the gospel; it is the whole foundation of our standing as Christians. Righteousness is simply being right with God. Romans 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. Phil 3:9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, Imputed righteousness: Impute: to credit or ascribe something to a person. Christ s righteousness is imputed to those who put their faith and trust in Him. We have no righteousness of our own. Rom 3:10 as it is written: none is righteous, no, not one; Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Christ imputes his righteousness to us. 2 Cor. 5:21 For our sake he made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. This righteousness is imputed to us by faith in Christ. Romans 10:9, 10 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Ephesians 2:8, 9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 4
Imparted righteousness: The believer is saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Christ s righteousness is credited to the believer s account, their sin laid on Him and completely paid for. But God does not stop there. He now begins to work in us the righteousness of His son. We are not what we once were. We were dead in the trespasses and sins, but God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. We were dead and now we are alive. We are a new creation! 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Being now alive and completely transformed from what we once were we are to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, we are to work out our faith with fear and trembling. This is the way in which God intends to impart, or work in us, His righteousness. We are shielded from the devil s attacks by both being clothed in Christ s righteousness and conformed by it. The first thing it does for us is it gives us confidence. We have assurance of our salvation to protect us. The knowledge that we are the children of God will ward off many flaming arrows of the devil. The devil will take aim at your justification, causing you to question it, doubt it. This is an assault on God s Character. And there is nothing as effective as looking towards the cross to shield us from the deadly assaults of the devil. We need to be reminded in such times that we have been translated from the devil s kingdom into the kingdom of God s Son. We are His! Our enemy has been defeated; he does not have power over us. It is by standing our ground here that we fend off many attacks. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name; On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. The breastplate of righteousness is therefore used to repel an array of enemy attacks on: Our emotions: The devil s strategy is to get us to rely on them more than we should. Emotions are a part of who we are, God created us this way, there is no denying that. It is an essential part of our personality. But the devil tries to get us to rely exclusively on them, to convince us that how we feel about something is the only thing that matters. Dr. Llyod-Jones explains, Your highest frames, your best feelings, can be most treacherous, and may desert you at any moment. The only remedy (on the attack of doubting our salvation or standing with God) is the breastplate of righteousness. While we are to enjoy feelings, they are to be subservient to, and the outcome of, our standing on the basis of justification by faith only. It is the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith that saves me, not any feelings we may have with respect to it. Romans 6:17, 18 instructs us that it is the mind (intellect) that is engaged first, then the heart and then the will. But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient (the will) from the heart (affections, emotions) to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, (the mind) and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. Our experiences: Just as the devil is skilled at manipulating us by using an over-reliance on our emotions, he is also trying to get us to rely unduly on our experiences. We can thank God for experiences in our Christian walk, but we must 5
never rely on them in order that in the absence of them, we may know who we are and where we stand based solely on justification by faith. Ourselves: Even after we have entered the Christian life, the devil continues to try to bring us into subtle reliance on ourselves and our activities. Dr. Jones, We are living the Christian life, we are active, and working hard, and making a great contribution; and in a subtle way we begin to be proud of it, and to rely on it, and feel that after all we are as we are because of all the good we have done since we became Christians. How do we respond when things go wrong? When we aren t seeing the results we had hoped for or expected would come? Do we become depressed? Downcast? Discouraged? We must always keep on this breastplate of righteousness, so that when the devil tries to discourage us we do not listen to him, and can repel him by the knowledge that we have nothing to bring to the table. All we have is a result of Christ s all-sufficiency. Satan is also the accuser of the brethren. He accuses when we try to pray. As soon as we begin to turn to God in prayer the enemy is ready to act. He suggests that we are in no condition to be talking to God. He reminds us of our sin and unworthiness. He has a record of our past, he knows us well. There is no arguing with him. The only way to withstand is to put on the breastplate of righteousness. It means throwing ourselves in absolute dependence on Jesus and His righteousness. You can defeat him by remembering that since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1, 2) Or, Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16) He accuses us when we fall into sin. Satan is very good at tormenting us by telling us that after all that we know and after all that God has done for us, and we still have sinned, God must surely stop loving us now! There is little hope for you now! The breastplate of righteousness is more needed than ever in this situation. Give answer to these accusations. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8, 9 In all or our temptations, trials and difficulties, having the knowledge that we are clothed in the righteousness of God, knowing what it cost Him, is a great comfort and sufficient defense against the devil s attacks. If you have not put on your breastplate, the devil may succeed in to getting you to doubt, grumble, complain, or say hard things against God. Psalm 73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 6
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Who have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge that I may tell of all your works. The Psalmist did not understand these things that seemed all wrong. He didn t understand it until he entered the sanctuary of God. There he was reminded of how things really are. He found comfort in the presence of God and in his salvation. There are things that happen that we simply cannot understand, there are times that we will fail, but there are things that we can be certain of no matter what happens. Make the Lord God your refuge; trust in His righteousness, sufficiency and goodness alone. This is putting on the breastplate of righteousness. The work which His goodness began, The arm of His strength will complete; His promise is Yea and Amen, And never forfeited yet. Discussion: How are spiritual growth and spiritual warfare interconnected? Read Jude 17-23. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions. 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Jude 17-23 How are these attacks against the church described? What are your responsibilities as a good soldier? What are some of the deceptions that the church is dealing with today, what are the attitudes, or teaching that stand in opposition to the truth? How are you fastening on the belt of truth? What does this look like for you as an individual? What does this look like in the church? There is some thought that the righteousness mentioned here is right living / living in obedience in the sense that our obedience protects us as in Proverbs 10:16 The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. Do you agree or disagree? 7
Homework for Week 3 1. Read Ephesians 4. Record the responsibilities listed for us as believers. How might these responsibilities correspond or relate to fastening on the belt of truth or putting on the breastplate of righteousness? 2. Read Exodus 5:1 6:9. We looked a little bit at God s strength and power in last week s homework, but this time we consider it in the context of the battle Moses and the people were about to face. How are they currently feeling (in verses 5:21-23?) Consider God s answer. (You may want to begin with underlining how many times God s says I will. ) How does seeing God s answer here to His people encourage you? How do the Israelites respond? How does this instruct you? 3. Read through the words of the following hymn. Reflect on the truths stated. What comforts do you find? How is this a way in which to put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness? (In other words, how do these truths encourage you to stand firm?) How Firm a Foundation How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, who unto the Savior for refuge have fled? 2 "In every condition, in sickness, in health, in poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth, at home and abroad, on the land, on the sea, as days may demand, shall thy strength ever be." 3 "Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand." 4 "When through the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress." 5 "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine." 6 "The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I will not desert to his foes; that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake!" 4. Our next study will be on Ephesians 6:15. and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Think about shoes. Why does the soldier need to wear them? 5. Define readiness. 6. Memorize Ephesians 6:10-14. Resources: www.blueletterbible.org; www.truthforlife.org English Standard Version The Christian Soldier - Martin Lloyd-Jones The Armor of God Rose Publishing 8