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4 THE ARMOR OF GOD

1. Through Christ we have full and complete victory over our enemy. But, the only way to overcome

our enemy is to fully rely on Christ’s finished work on the cross. God’s Word challenges us to be strong in the power of the Lord, put on the whole armor of God and to stand!

A. Colossians 2:13-15 ...And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public specta-

cle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

B. Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”

2. The armor of God represents God’s Character applied to our daily life. OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that ex-alts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,… God has provided us with powerful, spiritual weapons against the enemy. Here are a few... 1. Submission to God. This is THE most effective way of dealing with our enemy. (James 4:7)

2. The powerful _____________ of Jesus. His Name has power on the basis of His Lordship in our

lives.

A. Proverbs 18:10 states that the Name of the Lord is a strong and fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

B. The disciples came back rejoicing that they had power over the devil through the name of Jesus.

Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

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3. The ______________ of Christ.

A. His Blood and our testimony has defeated the enemy. Revelation 12:10-11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of

their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death...

B. His Blood has redeemed us. Redeemed means to release by payment of a ransom. The believer belongs rightfully to God! 1 Peter 1:18-23; Ephesians 1:7-8

C. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, His Blood has taken away our sins “as far as the east is

from the west.” Leviticus 16:8-28; Psalm 103:12

D. His Blood purifies us. By faith we are free from the guilt of sin.

Hebrews 9:11-14; 1 John 1:7-9 E. Through His Blood we are reconciled to God and are brought into a restored relationship with

Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Colossians 1:19-23

4. Prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:17-29)

5. Correct understanding of the Word of God as the sword of the Spirit. Contrast Jesus using the Word

against the devil in the desert in Matthew 4:1-11 versus the sons of Sciva in Acts 19:13-17.

A. Notice the following definitions of “word” in the Greek. Understanding this is a key to victory.

Logos is a word, as embodying an idea, speech, divine utterance. In John 1:1,14 Chr ist is the expression of the thoughts of the Father through the Spirit. In the same way, the Bible is the Logos of Christ.

Rhema literally means an utterance, spoken word, individually, collectively or specifi-cally. Rhema is the Holy Spirit speaking to us at the present moment about a specific thing. (Luke 1:38; 3:2; 5:5; and Acts 11:16)

THE ARMOR OF GOD Ephesians 6:10-18 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;… (Romans 13:12-13, The armor of light) 1. The belt of TRUTH ___________________________________

A. When preparing for battle, the belt, including the armored apron, would have been the first piece of protective equipment put on by a Roman sol-dier.

B. This is the Greek word, aletheia, and means the unveiled reality lying at

the basis of and agreeing with an appearance.

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C. A key in winning the spiritual battle is to have a true understanding of reality, what is really tak-ing place. In confusion we may attack each other, or fight in the wrong battle. (2 Chronicles 20:22-23)

2. The breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS _____________________________

A. This is the Greek word, diakaios, conforming to God’s rightness, to fulfill God’s claims in contrast to the lawlessness of this world. In essence, it is doing right by obeying God’s Word. (1 Samuel 15:22-23; Psalm 19:13-14)

B. The warrior’s character and right behavior growing from a right heart is a

great defense. 3. Footwear of READINESS _________________________

A. This is the Greek word, hetoimasia, and means preparation, adjusted, to be ready. Being ready requires that we are always ready. (Matthew 25:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 2 Timothy 2:21) 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober,

and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;...

B. Because Peter was asleep as Jesus prayed in the garden, he was not

ready to stand against what was about to take place. He not only reacted against the soldiers but did not have the power to stand with Jesus that night. (Matthew 26:69-75)

C. Characteristics of a ready disciple: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the

faith; be (people) of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. 4. The shield of FAITH _____________________________

A. This is the Greek word, pistis, and means to be persuaded in belief and in action. Faith is choosing to believe God and His word even in the face of conflicting reality. (2 Chronicles 20:20-24; Hebrews 11:1-2,6, 32-40) Romans 4:18-21 (Abraham) who, contrary to hope, in hope

believed, so that he became the father of many nations,... He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully con-vinced that what He had promised He was also able to per-form.

B. The “fiery darts” of Satan are his lies, deceptions and perversions of reality but the person who

uses the shield of faith stands firm in the battle. 5. The helmet of SALVATION ________________________

A. This is the Greek word, soterion which is the confident and anticipative hope of salvation, past, present and future. (1 Thessalonians 5:8-9)

B. The helmet both protected the soldier's head and provided a striking symbol

of military might. With this helmet in place we can block out the lies of the enemy and place our focus on God’s Word in the battle.

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...let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Romans 13:12

ASSIGNMENT 1. Meet with your accountability partner. 2. Read this lesson (lesson 4). 3. Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 and Matthew 4:1-11 and journal on the one that speaks to you. 4. Use the Weekly Time Sheet. 5. Memorize Ephesians 6:16-17

6. The sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD _________________

A. The Greek word for Word is rhema, a personal and specific word for a specific situation. (Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 4:12) The battle is spiritual and must be fought in God’s strength, with God’s Word.

B. In Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus used God’s Word (rhema) against the enemy as He was

being tested in the wilderness. Notice Jesus’ answers to the devil...

Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Matthew 4:7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” (Deuteronomy 6:16)

Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is writ-ten, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” (Deuteronomy 6:13)

C. When God’s Word is used correctly and applied to the situation at hand we have a powerful

weapon against the lies and deceptions of the devil. 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not

need to be ashamed, rightly dividing (cutting in a straight line) the word of truth. APPLICATION 1. The key to victory over the devil? Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he WILL flee from you!

(James 4:7-8) 2. Then, in the armor of God and in His strength, “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.” (Ephesians 6:18)

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ANSWERS LESSON 4 Name Blood Correct perception Correct behavior Being alert Immoveable Confident Power

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ACTIVITIES

Personal prayer time

Bible reading & journaling

Lesson reading

Fasting

Scripture memorization

Sunday AM & Wednesday PM

Accountability meeting

Volunteer service (specify below)

I’ve invited a new person to church

WEEKLY TIME SHEET & JOURNAL “...redeeming the time...” Ephesians 5:16

Check each box as you do the activity for that day.

Name __________________________________________________________ Date _________________________________________ My accountability partners are _____________________________________________________________________________

Write the memory verse here before class. (From memory)

Journal on the back (please be brief and to the point)

SAT

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI