Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:17-18 — Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Roman helmets were intricately designed, protecting a soldier’s head and making him look taller and more imposing. In battle no warrior would ever have gone without one. It’s no coincidence that salvation as a piece of armor is linked to the head. Knowing that we are saved, that our lives are in God’s hands, and that our future is guaranteed makes us bold and confident. What most people in the world fear — death — we do not fear, and so the devil is deprived of one of his main weapons.
Roman swords were short and designed for close combat, and when used by a trained soldier, were deadly. This is the only offensive weapon in Paul’s description of our spiritual armor. The Word of God as a weapon means that God’s teaching and promises make us deadly in our fight against the fear and lies of the devil and his demons. It gives us perspective, the power to defeat temptation as Jesus did during His 40 days in the desert, it is an instruction manual for life, and it offers countless other benefits. The Bible is not a magical book; it only works when we believe, practice what it says, and allow God’s Spirit to speak through it.
One of Satan’s most dangerous, modern-day techniques is to keep us so busy with the news, internet, phone calls, texting, Facebook, our jobs and everything else that we don’t have time for His Word. When we fall for this trick, we are like Roman soldiers of the past marching into war without their swords — we will become casualties.
After describing the six pieces of armor, Paul urges us to prayer at all times, in different ways, and to stay alert through prayer. This is a perfect ending to the pieces of armor. Through prayer we can change any situation, conquer any problem, and bring God Himself into our lives as our Helper, Defender, and Provider. The Old and New Testaments are full of miraculous answers to people who prayed.
Start using these pieces of armor. The more we use them the more effective we will be.
Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:14-16 — New American Standard Bible)
Paul spent years of his life in Roman prisons or under Roman house arrest and had plenty of time to reflect on a soldier’s armor. As he goes through the armor of God he presents it roughly in the order that a soldier would put the various pieces on. There are six pieces of spiritual armor — truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word — that keep our mind and thoughts focused on what is pure and true, since the devil works primarily with lies, doubt, fear, and confusion. His weapons are words — negative words and lies — and so our defense must also be words — words and thoughts that bring life and strength.
In ancient times soldiers girded themselves with a belt that held the rest of the armor in place, and from which hung strips of leather to protect their lower body. Truth is crucial. How can we hope to withstand the father of lies himself when we are not holding firm to the truth ourselves. Truth as a piece of armor means that we have to be truthful and honest at all times. It also means that we hold on to basic foundational truths of the Bible so that whenever we are attacked with doubt or lies, we can easily identify them as such.
A Roman breastplate went completely around the body so that a warrior’s back was also protected. It was made of hard leather or metal. Righteousness as a piece of armor does not stand for the righteousness that comes from faith in Jesus’ death on the cross, which we all possess, but the practical, daily choices to do the right thing and to run from evil and temptation. This is like a bulletproof vest that protects us from the destructive power of sin.
Roman soldiers wore tough, leather shoes with metal studs on their soles. No soldier would ever go into battle in his bare feet, and we cannot engage in war with the devil unless we keep in mind the great truths and power of the gospel message. We are forgiven and have been given authority. Jesus has restored the dominion that Adam lost in the garden. We have peace with God, and therefore are at war with the devil. When we keep these things in mind we are prepared for anything.
When Paul mentions the shield he says, “in addition to all”, which seems to mean that faith is a piece of armor that we need to pay particular attention to. Roman shields typically measured two and a half by four feet and would offer protection for most of a soldier’s body. Faith as a piece of armor means that the fiery attacks of the devil and his demons — no matter how strong, vicious, or often — are knocked away without causing us any harm. Faith shields us so that his lies and fear have no effect. When we are sure of what we do not see simply because God’s Word has made us promises (Hebrews 11:1), the devil is no longer a threat.
Tomorrow we’ll speak about the remaining pieces of armor.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:10-13 — New American Standard Bible)
This passage is one of the most famous, richly rewarding, and practical in all of the New Testament. It states a simple but deep truth that many people do not understand: our struggle in life is not against people and situations, but against negative spiritual forces — the devil and his demons.
The large majority of people would react to this statement with something like this: “Naw! That’s so old fashioned. Demons! Are you kidding? We’re living in modern times, there’s no such thing as demons.” This is a modern world, but where have our modern ways gotten us? We have more addictions and depression than ever before in human history, we have high divorce rates, and in spite of huge advances in medicine, we still have many incurable diseases. Recent projections say that by 2016 over half of all births in England will be out of wedlock… How modern and advanced we are!
Most people would admit that at some point they’ve come face to face with evil, that something dark and evil came over them or entered into a situation they were dealing with — and some feel this dark power every single day. Others would not admit to a sense of darkness, but have lives that lack any real happiness or success. They may have money, but they’re a failure at relationships. Others can’t control their anger no matter what they try. Some people experience strings of bad luck, a continual series of negative events or accidents that are too common to be considered normal. Because of this we have two options: explain away the evil we experience as “life”, or acknowledge the actual existence of negative spiritual forces and fight against them.
In this passage Paul encourages us to: “be strong in the Lord”… “put on the full armor of God”… “stand firm against the schemes of the devil”. When we acknowledge the existence of evil spirits we can then take the next step and fight against them and win. But if we don’t acknowledge them, and pretend they don’t exist, there’s no way to fight against them.
Christians have dropped the ball in a big way when it comes to this subject. Few know how to fight against evil, or have the boldness and courage to resist Satan and demons in Jesus’ name. It’s a subject that many consider too messy and complicated to deal with, except, when we ignore it that’s when our lives get real messy and complicated.
Decide that you are strong in the Lord and that you will fight against Satan and his demons from now on.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit. Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all. He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken. (Psalm 34:17-20 — Holman Christian Standard Bible)
This is who God is; this is how He has acted all through history. It doesn’t matter if we’re living in the 21st or the 1st century, or if we lived in 1000BC, like King David who wrote this psalm. He always hears when the righteous cry out, and always delivers them from all their troubles. When people humbly cry out to Him, when pride and rebelliousness are pushed to the side and a broken spirit and an obedient heart remain —God draws near to deliver and save.
Trouble is a part of life. Hardship, pain, setbacks, and disappointment are always present, or on their way. This world is under Satan's evil influence — the Bible even calls him the prince of this world. Except all who belong to God are promised the victory. Through the power of the Lord Jesus we overcome Satan, demons, trauma, and disaster. But our victory is not automatic, it comes when we go out on a ledge and live by faith. Fear, doubt, and worry give the devil permission to oppress us, whereas faith drives the devil away and authorizes God to step in and save us.
The author of this Psalm wrote from his own experience of many years. David had begun serving and trusting in God as a boy. As a young shepherd he had killed lions and bears that attacked his father’s sheep. In his early teens he killed a warrior-giant who was insulting and threatening God and His people, and eventually became the greatest king of Israel. But all through his life he faced danger and trouble, conflict and war, betrayal and suffering — and without fail God always gave him victory and deliverance. That’s why he can speak with such confidence and praise God so glowingly in this psalm.
I want you to determine that very soon you will have the ability to do the same thing — to speak glowingly and confidently about God, not because you read some stories about Him, but because you experienced Him firsthand.
At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:16-18 — New American Standard Bible)
Paul was tried before Emperor Nero two different times — the most evil, murderous ruler of that age. No one stood by Paul or gave him support in his first trial. Those who could have spoken in his favor deserted him. But God stood at his side, and gave him strength not just to answer the charges against him, but to deliver a strong message about the Lord Jesus to all the people in Caesar's court. The Emperor of Rome, his officials, and everyone else in that room heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. Though he was in danger of being martyred for his faith, Paul was concerned about saving his accuser’s souls.
As God's people, we often face struggles and hardship alone. When we are not alone, we frequently have to take the lead and be the strong one of our group. A life of faith often demands that we walk alone — at times God arranges for us to be alone so that we rely on Him completely, and at other times no one else close to us has the faith that we have. But whatever the case, as Paul asked God not to count it against them, we cannot blame others or become bitter when people desert us. This is a part of the life we’ve chosen — a life of raw, undiluted faith.
Paul was rescued from the lion’s mouth… This may be a metaphor for his legal troubles or his spiritual battle, but could just as easily stand for actual lions. It is generally accepted that Nero set Rome on fire to make room for his construction projects, and then turned around and blamed Christians for the fire. And so, during his rule Christians were routinely crucified, burned at the stake, and fed to wild animals. Even so, Paul’s message is a strong one. He is sure that God will rescue him from every evil, and that He will bring him safely to His heavenly kingdom.
If Paul could have this confidence in the face of such danger and hatred, shouldn’t we? We belong to God, and whether we live or die, our lives are in His hands. We should not live in fear or worry.
This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” — and I am the worst of them. But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 15-16 — Holman Christian Standard Bible)
One of Satan’s most effective tools is guilt and condemnation. If he can keep you feeling condemned and unworthy and worthless, then you are his. If you constantly think about what a big sinner you are, and replay the regrets of your past, it will be impossible for you to live for God. Satan's very name means "accuser", and he does his work enthusiastically. His worst nightmare is for you or anyone else to understand that Jesus has provided forgiveness of sins. And if you do discover this fact, he works at making you think that you are too undeserving of that forgiveness.
This passage states that there is a great truth that deserves full acceptance by all: Jesus came into the world to save sinners. We are sinners, even though we’ve given our lives to God, and even though we’ve been baptized in the Holy Spirit. We don’t live in sin, we don’t wake up in the morning determined to get away with as much sin as we can — but we do sin, and need to continually repent of wrong and be sensitive to our conscience and God’s voice.
Paul states that he considered himself the worst of sinners. He must be referring to how he had persecuted, and helped kill Christians before his conversion. Paul is not exaggerating here, or attempting to appear excessively humble, rather I think he is referring to the fact that the most repulsive group of people on the face of the earth, in God’s view, are hypocrites and religious fanatics, and Paul had been the biggest, most dedicated hypocrite. But he says that God has made him an example of His unlimited patience and willingness to forgive men. And so, the Holy Spirit’s message for us today is that we should refuse to wallow in condemnation any longer. Accept the “too good to be true” forgiveness of the Lord Jesus, and get busy serving Him with gratefulness and love. And more, tell others about the amazing Savior you’ve found.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 — Holman Christian Standard Bible)
If you are living by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have been reconciled to God (there is peace between you and Him). In the past you were lost and separated from God, but now, through faith, you’ve been brought back. Nothing separates you; you’re a son or daughter, and God is your Father. You’re a new creation in Him. The sins of the past have been forgiven, the death grip of sin has been broken, the Holy Spirit is at work in you, and you are being set free from all that held you back and separated you from the amazing presence of God. You are a new person in Jesus. You’re not perfect, but you are in the process of being reshaped into the person God always meant for you to be.
If all this is true, the message of reconciliation (peace with God) has now been entrusted to you. You are God’s ambassador to people who are still far from Him. Look for ways to communicate this message of peace to your family, relatives, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Allow Jesus to make you into a powerful witness for Him, and remember, every witness first has to see something firsthand.
God has already reconciled the world to Himself through the sacrifice of Jesus — now He is waiting for people to respond and accept what was done on the cross. The great message of reconciliation (peace with God) is that God placed on the Lord Jesus, who had no sin, all of our sin so that we would be innocent and pure in His sight. Someone else — Jesus, the Son of God — paid our debt, endured our punishment, suffered for our sins, so that we could receive a full pardon.
If we are reconciled or reunited with God, the opposite also has to be true, we are alienated from the devil.
