Our Wars

"Our Wars" - Ephesians 6:10-20 Let's know who we are fighting against. Paul speaks to us as soldiers of Christ. "Every true child of God" soon learns that the Christian life is a war. The hosts, (enemy armies in action: troops) Satan's army is engaged in hindering (hold up, obstruct) and "block" (impeding the free passage by some road)" the work of Christ and putting out of combat the individual soldiers. The more effective a believer is for the Lord, the more he will experience the savage attacks of the enemy: the devil does not waste his ammunition against nominal Christians (that exists in name only). We can't do it with our strength.

I. The first preparatory commandment is that we be strengthened in the Lord.

A. Lord gives the second commandment that deals with the need for the armor of God.

1. Don't forget God's armor, not your own.

2. It is to protect your body from your enemy, the devil.

3. As a believer you must put on "the whole armor of God so that "you can stand" against the wiles of the devil, it is the devil who wants to guide you, speak to you, you decide.

4. If you must be fully assembled, one or two pieces won't be enough.

5. Only all the "weapons" that God provides us "will keep us "invulnerable."

6. The devil has various creativities, cunning, deception: discouragement, frustration, confusion, moral failures, and doctrinal errors.

7. He knows our weakest point and points to it.

8. (Ezekiel 28:13-14, 19) Apparently Ezekiel had in mind the situation of his day with his attention fixed on the governor of Tyre, the personification of haughtiness and ungodliness. But as he contemplated the monarch's thoughts and manners, he "clearly discerned behind him the force that motivated him and the 'personality' that 'pushed' him in his 'opposition' (impeding its effect) to God. In short, he saw the "work" and "activity" of Satan, whom the king of Tyre was "imitating" in so many ways. Recall the incident in Matthew 16:21-23 when our Lord Jesus rebuked Peter. They were the harshest words Christ uttered during His earthly ministry.

9. This war is not about fighting the ungodly, Christ-denying sectarian philosophies, or unbelieving rulers.

10. The battle is against demonic forces, against battalions of fallen angels, against evil spirits who have great power.

11. Even though we cannot see them, we are always surrounded by evil spirit beings.

12. While it is true that they cannot dwell in a "true believer," they can oppress and harass him. (attack or annoy).

13. The Christian should not be sick engrossed in the subject other than God.

14. In the armor of God, he has everything necessary to hold the ground against his attacks.

15. The apostle speaks of these fallen angels as principalities and powers, as rulers of this world of darkness and as spiritual hosts (army in field) of wickedness in the heavenly regions (of heaven).

16. We are surrounded by formidable adversaries (error or great astonishment): we must "take up" the whole armor of God, so that we can resist when the conflict reaches its greatest intensity and be found still standing when the smoke of battle has vanished.

17. "The evil day" probably refers to any time when the enemy falls on us like a torrent (stream of water).

18. Satanic opposition seems to occur in waves moving forward and backward (going back).

19. The first piece of armor mentioned is "The Belt of Truth": We are to be faithful in keeping the "truth" of God's word, but it is also necessary that the "truth" sustains us and apply it to our daily lives; "The breastplate of righteousness" = manifest integrity and righteousness in your life. Words do not constitute a defense against an accusation, "but a good life is"; Shod the feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace: (preparation = prevention, disposition, preparation for something). This suggests a willingness to depart with the good news of peace, "and therefore an invasion of the enemy's territory. When we relax in our tents (the soldiers) we fall into mortal danger. Our safety is to be found by following the Savior's beautiful feet on the mountains, bringing the good news and proclaiming peace. "The Shield of Faith": So that when the fiery darts of the evil one are fired at him, they strike the shield and fall harmless to the ground. Faith is a firm trust in the Lord and His word. "The helmet" provided is salvation. No matter how bitter (violent) the battle, the Christian does not turn away, retreat, turn back, because of the danger, because he knows "that the final victory is his." The certainty (assurance) of final deliverance "preserves him from withdrawing or surrendering": “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). "The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Its classic illustration is our Lord's use of this "sword" in His encounter with Satan. Three times He quoted the word of God, not random verses, but the appropriate verses that the Holy Spirit gave Him for this occasion. (Luke 4:1-3)." Amen