The Whole Armor of God - PDF Free Download

The Whole Armor of God Introduction Spiritual Warfare Text: Ephesians 6:10-13 For the rest, my brothers, be made powerful in the Lord and in the might of His strength. Put on all the armor of God, for you to be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil, because wrestling against flesh and blood is not to us, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenlies. Because of this, take up all of the armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having worked out all things, to stand. In writing to the church at Ephesus, Paul says that we, as Christians, are engaged in a spiritual warfare. This is not something that may happen in the future, as if to say, It may come to war. We are already in it. The Christian has armor of a spiritual nature, provided by God himself. And it is based on a relationship with Jesus Christ, and a lot of prayer and Bible study. The better the prayer and Bible study, the better the armor. Just what is the nature of the armor? The picture that Paul gives is that consistent with armor used by Roman soldiers. Once we have the Roman picture, then we find two things missing: Any long-range weapons, such as spears, arrows, etc. 1. The picture is that the Christian is so spiritually protected, that he can fight closely with the spiritual opponent (Satan). Leg-armor (called grieves) 2. This means that the soldier is extremely mobile, able to travel long distances. This shows the dynamic nature of the church, in that we spread the word of God throughout the world. The protection of God is personal armor for a mobile army. It is never a fort. It is extremely mobile and aggressive. The church of true believers is God s creation, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against her (Matthew 16:18, LITV). It is often copied by others, but His is the real thing. And only His succeeds spiritually, and that s what counts. The Armor Paul Lists Six Items which were consistent with armor used by the Roman foot-soldier Text: Ephesians 6:14-18 Then stand firm, "having girded your loins about with truth" and having put "on the breastplate of righteousness," and having shod the feet with the preparation of the "gospel of peace." Above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the darts of the evil one, having been made fiery. Also, take "the helmet of salvation," and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God; through all prayer and petition, praying at all times in the Spirit, and watching to this same thing with all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints.

Just what is the nature of the armor? The picture that Paul gives is that consistent with armor used by Roman soldiers. Once we have the Roman picture, then we find two things missing: Any long-range weapons, such as spears, arrows, etc. 1. The picture is that the Christian is so spiritually protected, that he can fight closely with the spiritual opponent (Satan). Leg-armor (called grieves) 2. This means that the soldier is extremely mobile, able to travel long distances. This shows the dynamic nature of the church, in that we spread the word of God throughout the world. The protection of God is personal armor for a mobile army. It is never a fort. It is extremely mobile and aggressive. The church of true believers is God s creation, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against her (Matthew 16:18, LITV). It is often copied by others, but His is the real thing. And only His succeeds spiritually, and that s what counts. Paul lists six items, which were consistent with armor used by the Roman foot-soldier. They are listed below. 1. The Girdle Text: Ephesians 6:14 Then stand firm, "having girded your loins about with truth"... - The girdle 3 was probably the first thing that the soldier put on. It was a breech-like apron, made of loose, or sewn, thongs of leather. This protected the lower body. In many cases it was used as the sword-belt, while in other cases the sword is carried in a special strap running over the right or left shoulder 4. Jesus said, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6, LITV). Jesus Christ is the living truth. He also said, in defining worship, "God is a spirit, and the ones worshiping Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24, LITV). The person truly acting as a person of God, will have truth and integrity showing through all their nature. And it is based upon prayer and one's Spirituality. And being a covering for the legs, this expresses God's truth moving forward. It is a Spiritual dynamic that moves forward, so that the whole world will be affected by His truth. 2. The Breastplate of Righteousness Text: Ephesians 6:14 This was a metal breastplate 5, which conformed to the body. It had a coat of chain mail also. It was light, but strong enough that an arrow, shot from 20 paces away, only left a slight scratch on it 6. The breastplate has an Old Testament reference. In Isaiah 59:17, it says, For He put on righteousness like armor,... (LITV). This refers to God himself. When we ask Jesus to come into our lives (Romans 10:13), we are putting on his Spiritual armor, and conforming to his image (Romans 8:28). 3. The Feet Shod Text: Ephesians 6:15 This refers to the shoes 7 worn by the Roman soldier. But the emphasis is upon his mission. It is here that Paul refers to the spread of the gospel 8. There is an aggressive Spiritual dynamic built in to the nature of God s design of his church. It should always be moving forward. The most important thing, to any soldier, is the accomplishment of his mission. It is simply his job. He has to produce results upon the battlefield. When it comes to spiritual warfare and the Christian, the goals, and the nature of the job, is no different. He also has to produce results on a spiritual battlefield.

4. The Shield Text: Ephesians 6:16 This is the four-cornered long shield 9 which covers the whole man like a door 10. It was 2 feet wide and 4 feet long 11. It was made of a wooden frame, covered with linen, and then with animal hide (Tower guards used seven layers of oxhide 12). What makes this very important is the words above all, which means covering all. This means that there are no open places anywhere for the opponent to attack. The fiery darts are the arrows 13. This type of arrow was made of iron. And it had an open cavity in the end for combustible material (usually pitch), which couldn t be put out by water. When it struck a shield, it fell harmlessly to the ground, still burning 14. Faith is the total committed belief focused into the person of Christ Jesus. The stronger one s faith, the stronger the shield. And the stronger one s prayer life, the stronger one s faith. What is also interesting is that, in this passage, the only weapon mentioned, used by the wicked, is the fiery dart. It is a long range weapon. The wicked feel a safety in numbers, and with distance. Most of them won't confront an accused person face-to-face, and alone. They try to destroy their perceived enemy by rumor, then by numbers. But one man, plus God, is a majority. And the Bible is full of examples of Godly men, and Jesus Christ himself, experiencing all kinds of attacks from such wicked people. Paul said it in Philippians 4:13," I have strength for all things in Christ the One strengthening me" (LITV). 5. The Helmet Text: Ephesians 6:17 The Roman helmet 15 was made of bronze. It had no visor, like the Greek helmets did. It did offer protection to the head, neck, cheeks, and chin. The important thing to know was that the helmet was not worn all of the time. It was carried, on long marches, slung on a strap. It was not put on until the beginning of battle 16. Again, in Isaiah 59:17, it says about Jehovah, "... and a helmet of salvation on His head. And He put on robes of vengeance as clothing; and He put on zeal like a mantle" (LITV). This means that the Spiritual helmet means the beginning of battle for the Christian. It begins at the point of salvation. But, more exactly, the new Christian is a person who was already in the battle, and on the wrong side with no armor. Now, as God s person, he s still in the same battle, but he s now on the winning side with God s armor, for eternity. 6. The Sword Text: Ephesians 6:17-18 This is the only offensive weapon used in the Spiritual armor, the others mainly having to do with defense and mobility. But it s not the large Roman sword, such as the two-edged sword mentioned in Revelation 2:12, but is the much smaller Greek sword 17. The word is better translated dagger. It was curved and sharp. It could be used as a weapon, skinning tool, or preparing food 18. The word is used 29 times in the New Testament. It was the type of blade, used by Simon Peter in John 18:10, to cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Being a fisherman (Mark 1:16), it was an occupational tool 19. The Word of God uses the Greek word 20,which means to state specifically, or is something that is expressly laid down 21. Although there are exceptions, it is most often used with the sense of a divine utterance. It can be used for doctrine or instruction, with the sense of

command or commission by God 22.This expression of God can come from three ways: The Holy Spirit (Luke 4:4; 3:2); His written word (John 15:7; II Peter 3:1-2; II Timothy 3:16-17); Other Christians (Romans 10:17). The Power of Prayer Text: Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that to me may be given speech in the opening of my mouth with boldness to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in a chain, that in it I may speak boldly as it is right for me to speak. Spiritual warfare is always there, for everyone, whether we realize it or not. When we ask Jesus Christ to save us, and believe on him, then we become part of his kingdom and his army. He protects us. The Spiritual armor is what he does for us. We can t do it for ourselves. He does the battle, through us. And the battle was already won with the words It has been finished, from the cross (John 19:30, LITV). Paul, while awaiting execution in prison, wrote to Timothy. He tells him to Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and confessed the good confession before many witnesses. (I Timothy 6:12, LITV). He later writes, of himself, For I am already being poured out, and the time of my release is here. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. For the rest, the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me in that Day, and not only to me, but also to all the ones loving His appearance. (II Timothy 4:6-8, LITV). I can't spare this man, he fights were the words spoken from President Lincoln about General Grant 23, who became the first union commander who didn t fall back, or retreat, after a union defeat. He went forward. His perseverance was the main factor, among other things, that enabled him to overcome the military brilliance of General Robert E. Lee. It was only after the war had ended that he came home. But a battlefield is not home. When a war is over, then the soldiers come home. We haven t seen our home yet. But we, as the children of God, will arrive there when he calls us home, which he is preparing for us. Do not let your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places. But if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you! And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will receive you to Myself, that where I am you may be also (John 14:1-3, LITV). Bible Research Group

Footnotes 1. Kittel, Gerard, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, V:301 2. Ibid. 3. 3. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, perizonnumi - (Greek: Strong's 4. number 4024) 4. Kittel, ibid., p.303 5. thorax - (Greek: Strong's number 2382) 6. Kittel, ibid., pp.308-310 7. hupodeo - (Greek: Strong's number 5265) 8. Kittel, ibid., p.312 9. thureos - (Greek: Strong's number 2375) 10. Kittel, ibid, p.312 11. Ibid., p.313 12. Ibid. 13. belos - (Greek: Strong's number 956) 14. Kittel, ibid, p.314, note 10 15. perikephalaia - (Greek: Strong's number 4030) 16. Kittel, ibid, p.314 17. maxairon - (Greek: Strong's number 3162) 18. Kittel, IV:524-525 19. Kittel, ibid, p.525 20. rhema - (Greek: Strong's number 4487) 21. Kittel, ibid, p.75 22. Thayer, p.562 23. Smith, Jean Edward, Grant, p. 205 24. Bibliography Green, Jay P. (ed.), The Interlinear Bible, Peabody, Massachusetts, 1985 Kittel, Gerard, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, 10 vols., Grand Rapids Michigan, 1964. Smith, Jean Edward, Grant, Simon & Schuster, 2001. Strong, James, S.T.D., LL.D., Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, World Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1890. Thayer, Joseph Henry, D.D., Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978.