Section 1 Preparing for Battle

Part 4Dangerous Disciples

Ephesians 6:10-1710 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-1712 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 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.

Ephesians 6:10-1714 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Ephesians 6:10-1716 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Let's Get Ready to RumblePaul uses natural weaponry and armor to illustrate powerful spiritual truths in his letter to the Christians in Ephesus.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.Ephesians 6:10

Strong in this context means “to receive strength; to be endued and equipped with strength.”

1. Put on the belt of truth. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth.

Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts.Psalm 51:6

2. Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness.14 Stand therefore, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.Proverbs 4:23

3. Put on Shoes of Peace.15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Live Lightly. Live your life without heaviness.Live Flexibly. If you can learn to be flexible, you will walk through life with a lot more peace!Live Resiliently. Such individuals forgive easily and refuse to allow bitterness and anger to bend them out of shape.

Stand your ground.Make peace with your past, possess peace in your present, and pursue peace in your future.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous--with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God! Amplified Bible

4. Put on the Shield of Faith.16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

"The just shall live by faith."Romans 1:17

5. Put on the Helmet of Salvation.17 And take the helmet of salvation,

Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment.Matthew 22:37-38

6. Take Up the Sword of the Spirit17 And take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Sharpening Your EdgeA material sword pierces the body, but the Word of God pierces the heart! The more you use a physical sword, the duller it becomes. But the more you use your spiritual sword, God's Word, the sharper it becomes.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

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.Ephesians 6:13