A deeper look at the Armor of God. Part 2

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

1. Now let's talk about our enemies! 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood Eph 6:12 (KJV)

• 1. (For though we walk -([Peripateo]- {per-ee-pat-eh-o}- to tread about as a companion) in the flesh, we do not war -([Strateuomai]- {strat-yoo-om-ahee}- to serve in a military campaign, to go to war) after the flesh: 2 Cor 10:3 (KJV)). This is not a physical conflict- there can be physical repercussions though as we talked about earlier with the use of our words. But we are not fighting something we can inflict damage on with our humanity.

  a. Who is it then that we are in conflict with: (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)).

  1. Principalities- [Arche]- {ar-khay}- chief ruler- highest rank, Rulers over countries?, (11. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is [Abaddon]- {destroyer}, but in the Greek tongue hath his name [Apollyon]- {destruction} Rev 9:11 (KJV)).

  2. Powers- [Exousia]- {ex-oo-see-ah}- authorities- mastery, power to do as one pleases, jurisdiction (get their power from the chief rulers), Rulers over states, cities and communities?, (13. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Dan 10:13 (KJV)).

  3. Rulers - [Kosmokrator]- {kos-mok-rat-ore}- a world ruler spiritual government rulers, Rulers over nations?, (14. But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him 1 Sam 16:14 (KJV)).

  4. Wickedness- [Poneria]- {pon-ay-ree-ah}- spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies, Rulers over people such as familiar spirits?, (7. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 2 Cor 12:7 (KJV)). As an overview, (44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. John 8:44 (KJV)).

  • Spiritual wickedness in high places or as the word of God states in 1st Chronicles, (13. So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; 1 Chron. 10:13 (KJV)). These are satan's personal spies, responsible for following the lives of people to aid in coordinating a plan against them. Where do you think psychics get their ability from? Here the Bible indicates that it was a familiar spirit that Saul inquired of.

    • Remember, Jesus is the head ALL of things. (10. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality -([arche]-high ruler) and power ([exousia]-authorities): Col 2:10 (KJV)). This means the head of all authority, (18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matt 28:18 (KJV)). All power means all authority.

    • (17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark 16:17-18 (KJV)). Notice the first thing on Jesus's list "cast out devils" through the use of His name. We have authority to use His name! So let's use it!!! (17. And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:17-20 (KJV)).

  b. Let's look at vrs. 13; (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. Eph 6:13 (KJV)) Wherefore:- meaning the content of the preceding verse is the reason for the need of the putting on of the Armor of God. And the content of this verse is the exposing of our enemies. Because we are in this conflict we must take the whole armor of God!

  1. The whole armor of God is His prescription for our defense.

  a. When you're in a struggle there will always be someone with even good intentions that will tell you how to defend yourself: (38. And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 39. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. 1 Sam 17:38-39 (KJV)). Though just because it may have worked for them does not mean it will work for you, pay heed to the Word of God and the leading of The Holy Spirit.

  b. Most often we will defend ourselves as we think best, based upon our own experience or someone else's: (12. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Prov 14:12 (KJV)).

  1. Some of our methods of doing this are:

     a. Ignore the situation- maybe it will go away.

     b. Busy ourselves with all kinds of activities- turn up the volume, I can't hear you.

     c. Put on a few pieces of the armor- confess some sin, read the Bible a little more, pray a little more.

     d. Pretend there is no conflict, I am sure then it won't affect me.

• We must do things God's way in order to get God's desired results!!!

1. We mentioned that the armor is God's prescription for our defense.............our humanity now becomes a problem to us at this point:

   a. when we receive a prescription from a doctor we don't have to fill the prescription. We can pretend that just because we have the prescription that it will make us better.

   b. Even after filling the prescription we don't have to take the medicine. We can pretend that by just having the medicine it will make us better.

• If we decide to ignore the wisdom and experience of the physician by not heeding their directions we will suffer the consequences. The same will happen to us spiritually if we neglect to do what the Word of God instructs us to do and to do it in the way it says so.