A deeper look at the Armor of God. Part 1

1. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11. Put on the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18. and also Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Eph. 6: 10-18

words within the [....] are the Greek or Hebrew transliteration of the English word they follow
words within the {....} are the phonetic pronunciation of the Hebrew or Greek transliteration they follow

*one note of caution. Unless you are someone who has study the Greek language to the extent that you would be considered an expert (which I am not) in it's application, be careful as to how you use definitions. As the Greek is a language that can have many varied definitions for one word, you must understand how a word arrives at it meaning. It can cause much confusion by just choosing the definition of a word you like better than the other definitions given. If your definition is wrong then your understanding of it in it's context will be wrong and hence what you believe and even teach others will be wrong. Praise The Lord we have so many good resources today to work with but, even with that one must check and cross check to come to right conclusions. Lastly keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is our teacher and if you sincerely seek His instruction you will come to the right conclusions. (1. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. James 3: 1) Blessings!

Let's first consider:

• Even satan had armor. 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils Luke 11:22 (KJV)

The Armor of God vrs. satan's armor: (With a little humor)

1. Armor of God:
   a. Underwear (Garment of Praise)
   b. Belt of Truth
   c. Breastplate of Righteousness
   d. Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace
   e. Shield of Faith
   f. Helmet of Salvation
   g. Sword of Spirit
   h. Pray in the Spirit
   i. Watching over others

2. satan's armor:
   a. Long Johns (Garment of Disdain...or de-stain...lol)
   b. Suspenders of Darkness
   c. Sport coat of Religiosity and Goodness
   d. Feet fitted with the slippers of the deception of self will
   e. Garbage can lid of Faithlessness
   f. Baseball cap of Unsureness
   g. Butter knife of Self-Reliance
   h. Pray any way I want
   i. Watching over me

• The armor indicates of the quality of a person spirituality. What you wear is what people see. The armor also speaks of godliness in a persons life. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 1 Tim 4:8 (KJV) Remember it has a promise for this life and the one yet to come. 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Eph 2:7 (KJV)

  a. Godliness- [Eusebeia]- {yoo-seb-i-ah}- The word was used in Classical Greece where it meant behaving as tradition dictates in one's social relationships and towards the gods. One demonstrates "[eusebeia]" to the gods by performing the customary acts of respect (festivals, prayers, sacrifices, public devotions). By extension one honors the gods by showing proper respect to elders, masters, rulers and everything under the protection of the gods. (Please keep in mind that Greek is not a christian language. The Greeks had many deities. So when referencing definitions there will be the strong likelihood of these definitions suggesting plurality of gods. To be clear, I believe in the One True God!)

1. The Encouragement:

   a. 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong- ([Endunamoo]- {endynamoo}- empowered) in the Lord, and in the power -([Kratos]- {krat'-os}- dominion) of his might -([Ischus]- {is-khoos}- force). Eph. 6:10 (KJV) The battle is the Lord's, the victory is yours! God is not asking you to clothe yourself with your armor but with His!

2. The Armor:

   a. Put On: 11. Put on the whole Armour of God, Eph 6:11 (KJV)

3. It is our responsibility to put on the armor: Here are some other places that speak of personal responsibility:

   a. 17. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thess 5:17 (KJV)

   b. 15. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Heb 13:15 (KJV)

   c. 15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 (KJV)

   d. 12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Phil 2:12 (KJV)

• The Church has preached an anti-works message for so long that some of us have come to the point where we feel we do not have to do anything! Wrong. Your salvation was given to you freely without the aid of your works but you are going to keep yourself in it by works. (17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. James 2:17 (KJV)) and also see, (6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6 (KJV)) and also (5. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Cor. 13: 5 (KJV)). If ones faith then is dead, being without works and it takes faith to please God then to whom does the responsibility rest for the condition of a persons salvation? If ones faith is dead and therefore not pleasing God....will they go to heaven?

1. What are we being told to put on? The "Whole Armor"-[Panoplia]- {pan-op-lee-ah}- a complete suit, missing nothing

   a. Completed suit of armor not one piece missing, (10. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.1 Cor 3:10 (KJV)) When a foundation is laid for a building it is critical that nothing be left out....We need to take the wearing of the armor of God just as serious.

   1. (15. And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to (fulfil) all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Matt 3:15 (KJV)). Everything that works in God's kingdom does so because, "(all things work together....Rom.8:28)" (every piece of the armor), (every part of the Body of Christ), (every detail of the plan of God)! And we have to assume the responsibility to fulfill our part in His calling.

      a. If Jesus had not taken special care to do all of what was required of Him we would not be saved. In the same way if we do not put on the WHOLE armor of God we will not be able to stand!

      b. The reason for the armor: (that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:11 (KJV))

      1. Our application of the whole armor of God is for us to be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

      2. Wiles-[Methodeia]- {meth-od-i-ah}- methods, deceit, craft, trickery. (11. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant (Through the act of ignoring) of his devices 2 Cor 2:11 (KJV)). Devices, thoughts, purposes, designs-methods! Our complacency, our spiritual laziness, our not believing that there are consequences for actions, justifying a lifestyle that is not characterized by righteousness, acts of treason committed by sin these are all a part of the methods and/ or devices satan tempts and drives us towards.

      3. (8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)). Imagine 50 soldiers. 49 with full armor and 1 with only a few pieces of armor, who would you attack? Are you fully clothed with the armor? Are you an easy target for the enemy of your soul?

      4. By our not being obedient in putting on the whole armor of God, we have given satan the permission to attack us at our vulnerable points.

2. The Conflict: (12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:12 (KJV)).

   • Wrestle-[Pale]- {pal-ay}- wrestling a contest between two opposing forces trying to out maneuver the other.

     1. Where is this wrestling taking place? Where is it that satan is trying to out maneuver you? (3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Cor 10:3-5 (KJV)). The battleground is the mind and it always will be!

        a. Why isn't the battleground in our flesh? (18. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is WITHOUT THE BODY; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 1 Cor 6:18 (KJV)). Because our flesh is at the mercy of our minds. If satan can out maneuver us in our minds then our flesh will follow behind. (23. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members- ([Melos]- {Mel-os}- parts of a body). Rom. 7: 23 (KJV)).

3. What goes into the mind is what we will speak, (34. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Matt 12:34 (KJV)).

4. What we will speak will affect the quality of our life, (21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof Prov 18:21 (KJV)).

5. What we will speak will effect the purpose (6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. James 3:6 (KJV)).

6. What we think will determine the quality and even ultimately the destiny of our life: (2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 (KJV)) also, (6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6 (KJV)).

• Now are we beginning to see the vital importance of understanding and clothing our lives with this awesome "Armor of God"?