Armoring Up:
Armoring Up For Spiritual Warfare November 10, 2019Introduction:
Introduction We are at war Alone we are Outmatched and Outgunned Fortunately, God has not left us alone God provides for all our needs Including Protection Including Weapons With these, We can’t fail.The Gift:
The Gift 10 Finally , be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,The Gift (cont.):
The Gift (cont.) 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.Application:
Application Experience shows that new Christians generally experience being carried by God. It’s almost like God puts the armor on you. At a certain point in your walk as you mature, you are supposed to grow to the point that you can put the armor on yourself 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:13-14Newbie Illustration:
Newbie IllustrationMature Illustration:
Mature IllustrationThe Point:
The Point This just what I Think of to help me put all of this into perspective. The armor we get from God is from Him and not of ourselves. When we think of what this all means we got to keep in mind what Paul was thinking of. He was most likely looking at the uniform of the soldier who was guarding him while he was in prison. The armor of Roman soldier.Roman Armor:
Roman ArmorBack to Scripture:
Back to Scripture By examining the passage verse-by-verse we can understand what the armor we are supposed to wear does. For this we are going to need a little background on what Roman armor was.What to focus on:
What to focus on Belt – Cingulum ; keeps the weapons in place Breastplate - Lorica Feet and ankle Armor - Caligae Helmet – galea Shield - scutum Sword - gladius Battle Tactics A fully equipped legionaire had to carry 35 kg on his back in full march.Enemy and Needs Defined v. 10-13:
Enemy and Needs Defined v. 10-13 10 Finally , be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.Belt of Truth vs 14:
Belt of Truth vs 14 The Belt was called cingulum or balteus It was from the belt that sword and dagger were hung. Without it, the soldier went into battle without weapons – ineffective – a sitting duck. The truth is like that. You can’t defend yourself with lies and deceit. You have no place to hang the sword from without truth. The sword hung on the soldiers right side because the fought in close quarters and if everyone in the legion wore the sword on the right they would not injure each other on the Battlefield. Like wise, truth keeps us for injuring each other on the this spiritual battlefield.Breastplate of Righteousness vs 14:
Breastplate of Righteousness vs 14 The breastplate protects the torso and all the vital organs such as the heart and lungs. IF any of these organs are hit, it is over for the soldier. The Lorica wasn’t a single slab of metal or a straight jacket. It had multiple plates held together by leather strips and designed to move with the soldier. Providing excellent protection from knives, swords, and arrows. We are righteous when we live God’s way in full submission and obedience. Otherwise we leave ourselves open to becoming causalities on the battlefield. The lorica warps around with straps in front and the back, not providing much protection from the back. Legionaires depended on their fellows to watch their backs and did not turn their backs to the enemy. Cut and run was not an option for these guys. Neither is it for us.Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Vs 15:
Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Vs 15 Funny how unimportant feet seem until they hurt The Romans understood how important it was for their legion to be wearing good foot wear. – Caligae They were designed to give the soldier traction even in mud and protect them glass, debris, and other hazards he might find on the battlefield so that he was thinking more about the fight than watching what he stepped on or in. What we need to have to be ready to spread the Gospel is to have an attitude of readiness. It is this that prepares us to go into battle. Remember the goal is spread the Gospel to everyoneShield of Faith vs 16:
Shield of Faith vs 16 The scolums the legionaires carried were huge – some were about 3.5 ft by 3.5 feet. They were able to protect a soldier from head to foot. Its curve allowed it to deflect a lot of force and energy away from the user. And it usually had a large metal knob on the center one could use as a blunt weapon to knock an opponent down. How is faith like one of these shields? Like the shield, faith is both defensive and offensive. Like the shield its something that you hold. It’s real and substantive and tangible. It is solid evidence. Faith is trust in God and what He has given us. Notice how Paul says that we use faith to “extinguish the flaming arrows of the devil” pointing to just how important Faith is. Without faith you will be hit by those attacks.
Helmet of Salvation vs 17:
Helmet of Salvation vs 17 The Helmet protect the head and brain. We all instinctively understand why this important. Roman helmet covered both checks, forehead, and back of the neck. Why is the helmet equated with salvation? Spiritually, salvation protects our minds. A natural helmet may protect your brain but it can’t protect your thoughts. Salvation will keep you from becoming discouraged and from being tricked into sinning. Salvation is not just about being saved from the ultimate penalty of sin and death it’s about being protected right now as you fight in the battlefield you are on.
Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Vs 17:
Sword of the Spirit, whichis the word of God. Vs 17 The gladius was a double-edge death on a stick. They used it for thrusting in close quarters. The legionaire could cut down an opponent swinging left and then the next swinging to the right without missing a step. IT was a short sword. Perfect for thrusting but not so much for parrying. You had to be in your opponent’s fact to use it. I recently saw how deadly useful it could be The Word of God is described as being “sharper than a two edged sword”. This is apt. When we use the word of God we have to get in close. God does not expect us to parry much..we have the shield for protection. IF you use the Word for attack you will break the enemies defenses and route them.
Gladius in Action:
Gladius in ActionOld Testament Description:
Old Testament Description Psalm 91:4 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. - KJV He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. - NIVExamples of Bucklers:
Examples of Bucklers
