Armour Of God

The last thing Paul writes about in the Ephesian letter is the armour of God. There are three "sevenfold" lists of things in the book of Ephesians. There is the list of "all spiritual blessings" in Ephesians chapter one and they are sevenfold. Then there is the sevenfold unity of the Spirit in chapter four: One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and father of all.

But then in chapter six he talks about the whole armour of God. But you will notice that the armour doesn't consist of physical things. In the same way that the blessings are spiritual and the sevenfold unity is spiritual, so the armour is also spiritual. That's because it is for the NEW MAN, not the old man.

Paul says that the old man, the person that we all are naturally, is corrupt. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and it can never be anything else. It will always be flesh, it will never be spirit. This is not a list of things to reform the old man, because the old man is unreformable. God never attempted to reform the old man and it never will be. Religion spends a lifetime trying to clean up and trying to reform the old man, only to find that the end of him is death. Flesh and blood cannot go to where God is.

So the armour that Paul describes is for the new man. In other words, what we are to do is, that instead of trying to change the flesh, which is impossible, that we exchange it. Paul says to PUT OFF, concerning the former conversation, the old man...and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. And that's the idea when we come to the armour:

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

Our strength where our salvation is concerned and where our walk as believers is concerned is not in ourselves, but in the Lord and in the power of his might. So to be strong in the Lord is simply to place our confidence in Him alone and not in any ability or strength that we might have.

Now Paul has written to the Ephesians and told them that the Gentiles, like the Ephesians and like you and me, are made partakers of God's PROMISE in Christ, simply by the gospel. That promise was given us in Christ before the world began and it is eternal life. So we become partakers of that promise...by the gospel.

Paul said "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for IT IS the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." Notice:

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

People are saved today by trusting in Jesus Christ. And these Ephesians had done that:

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

So Paul says "be strong in the Lord," just as Abraham was strong  in faith in what God promised to him, and then Paul says "and in the power of his might." God's mighty power worked in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Now when Christ was raised from the dead, Paul says that he was raised FOR our justification, in Romans 4:25. God made him, Jesus Christ, to be sin for us, and Christ died FOR our sins, he was buried and then God raised him from the dead, proving that our sins are forgiven. That's the power that we are to be strong in, fully persuaded. In other words, in the Lord, in Christ, we have judicially already been put to death, buried and risen again. Paul says in Colossians that ye are complete in him which is the head of all principality and power.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Now the word "wiles" is used in another way back in chapter four and these are the only two places where this word is used in the new testament, but notice the use of it here:

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

The word "deceive" is the same word as "wiles." Now the devil is a deceiver. He is a liar, and the Lord said "the father of it." I suspect that that is a reference to the antichrist, but nevertheless the aim of the devil is deception. The wind of doctrine in religion is perpetrated by the devil himself. Paul has a lot to say about the devil.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Now the devil is a spirit being and there are seducing spirits that Paul says that men will give heed to. And they will be promoting doctrines of devils. Notice:

2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2 Timothy 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

So there are doctrines of devils, the devices of the devil, the snare of the devil.  Paul says that we are not ignorant of his devices. He tells the Ephesians to not give place to the devil. And then here in chapter six we see the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:12 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.

So our warfare is a spiritual warfare and the enemy is satanic powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world. and whether we like it or not the battlefield covers every aspect of life as we know it. Social, economic, political and especially religious. But it is not a fleshly battle, it is a spiritual war.

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Notice again that our weapons are mighty through God...strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Strong holds are like fortifications. And to pull down those strongholds, notice the weapons:

2 Corinthians 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

Those strongholds are strongholds of darkness and not light. They are put up by the rulers of the darkness of this world. Now notice what the weapons do:

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The word obedience is literally hearkening. In other words bringing thoughts into captiviity. In other words paying attention to the truth, the knowledge of God. So we have weapons for this warfare and it's called the whole armour of God:

Ephesians 6:13 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.

So he says "withstand" and that would be to withstand against the wiles, the deceit, the deception, and having done all to "stand." Our standing is in grace. We are saved by grace through faith and that not of ourselves...it is the gift of God. Notice in Romans:

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

But the devil would like to shake you away from that stand. He would like for you to be tossed about by those winds of doctrine, the sleight of men, the cunning craftiness and the deception. Now the devil can't posess you. A saved individual is the purchased possession of Christ. You are BOUGHT with a price and you belong to the Lord. so the devil can't "get you," he cannot posess you. But he CAN deceive you. He can so neutralize you that your ministry, your witness is no longer effective. And that is what the armour is all about.

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Your loins would be like the loins of your mind. In other words gird up your loins, gird up your mind with truth.

2 Timothy 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2 Timothy 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

So religious men come, they come with winds of doctrine, with cunning craftiness, with deception. They have a form of godliness but there is no power in it. The power of God is in the preaching of the cross, but these men don't focus on that. They come preaching another Jesus, another gospel and they come with another spirit.

2 Timothy 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

In other words, Pharaoh's magicians were able to fool Pharoah, but they didn't fool God. Neither do these men. They resist the truth. They are reprobate concerning the faith. But we need our loins, our minds girt about with truth.

The truth is that Christ died for the ungodly, he died for sinners, he died for the enemies of God. Religion with it's winds of doctrine would have you to beleive that Christ died for those who would clean up their act and become worthy and earn the right to have Christ as their Saviour...but that is destitute of the truth. That's not the preaching of the cross. It's not the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. So your loins, the loins of your mind is girt about with this truth. And then there is the breastplate of righteousness.

Now Paul is not talking about religious righteousness or the righteousness of the law. Notice:

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Notice in Philippians:

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Now notice the shoes you need to put on:

Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

That peace is twofold. First of all there is peace with God:

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

So we have peace with God by what Jesus Christ did in our behalf when he died for our sins. But there is also the peace OF God.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

That's why every letter Paul writes begins with the words, "grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." That goes beyond the fact that you are saved by grace and beyond the fact that you have peace with God. It has to do with your grace life. It has to do with the peace OF God which keeps your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

The shield of faith is referring to the faith of Christ. If it was just your faith then things might come along that would shake your faith. Your salvation is not based on your faith but on HIS. It was his faith that accomplished your salvation. Jesus Christ was faithful because of you. He endured to the end instead of you. You simply trust in Christ. You trust in God and his faithfulness. Your faith is simplicity. It's not hard. You simply trusted in the cross of Jesus Christ. The fiery darts of the devil cannot pierce that truth.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

The helmet covers your head and the idea here is the knowledge of the truth. Paul said I know WHOM I have believed. He didn't say IN WHOM, but he said WHOM I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

And you and I can say the same thing. I KNOW whom I have believed because Christ spoke through Paul and Paul wrote down the words of Christ for us today. That's what he means here:

Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Ephesians 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Ephesians 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

Ephesians 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

Now Jesus never went to Ephesus to teach. Paul means that the words he wrote are the words of the risen, ascended and glorified Lord Jesus Christ. So instead of walking like other Gentiles walk, in religion, he says:

Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

So the helmet of salvation, that which covers the head, is this knowledge of who you are and what God has made you in Jesus Christ. And then he says...and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

Your bible is worthless to you unless you are going to believe it. The issue is not to read it and understand it so that you can decide whether or not to believe it, but simply to take it at face value and believe that it means what it says, as it says it, where it says it.

The Ephesians, for instance, were already saved. Paul didn't write the Ephesian letter so that they could read it, understand it, and then get saved. It was written to people who were already saved.

Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. The world, by wisdom, cannot know God. God decided, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe. So as a saved, bible believer, the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is to be studied as a workman. 2 Timothy 2:15 implies that somewhere in the future there is a judgment. It is for saved people. Only the workmen, only the saved people are going to appear at the judgment seat of Christ. And the issue is approved or ashamed.

With the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, you are able to refute the false claims of lost religious men and you are also able to show them the truth. The rightly divided word of truth. And the last item of armour:

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Paul was a praying man. He mentions prayer something like 43 times. He prays for others and he asks for prayer from others. He says to pray about everything. Big things and little things. He says to be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God. But here his final request is for prayer:

Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

And of course the mystery OF the gospel pertains to the very salvation of Gentiles like the Ephesians and like you and I who in time past had no hope and were without God in the world.

So being equipped with the whole armour of God, having done all, Paul says to stand. And with that armour we can withstand the wiles, the deceit, the devices, the snares and so on of the devil and of false religion.