Ephesians – Sit, Walk, Stand, Bow – The Armor of God

We have reached the final lesson on Ephesians. When we realize our position in Christ, it will make battle with the evil one (Satan and his demons) easier because we will understand we have power over the enemy. Jesus gave us all believers the ability to stand firm against Satan’s schemes.  "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. ²⁰ "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven" Luke 10:19-20 (NASB). In order to take full advantage of our authority given to us, we have to realize that we are “seated with Christ in heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:6). We also must “walk worthy of our calling” (Ephesians 4:1). We need to have our sins confessed to have the full power of the Holy Spirit operating through us. Sin hinders this power. Don’t try to battle with Satan if you have unconfessed sin in your life. Now let’s take a look at the armor of God.

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. ¹² 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. ¹⁴ 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; ¹⁶ 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; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints– ¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” Eph 6:10-20 (NKJV).

In verse fourteen we are told to have our waist girded with truth. We must be in the Word of God and know the truth to be able to fight against Satan. Remember when Jesus was tempted in the desert by Satan (Matthew 4)? He used scripture to do his battle. The Bible says that God’s word is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Notice in verse seventeen that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God. You are fighting with a dull sword if you do not know how to use the Word of God as your defensive weapon. Also in verse fourteen we are told to put on our breastplate of righteousness. Our righteousness is not found in ourselves but from Jesus Christ. Once we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are righteous before God. However, this is not a license to sin. Sin in your life will hinder the power of the Holy Spirit working through you.

In verse fifteen we are told to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Are you prepared to share the gospel with your friends, family, strangers or neighbors? In Romans we learn how to have beautiful feet. “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things” Romans 10:15 (KJV). If you have never taken an evangelism class, then do so. The salvation of the world depends on every Christian. There are people in your life that only you can reach.

In verse seventeen we are told to take the helmet of salvation. We all have a helmet of salvation if we have accepted Christ. This helmet is designed to shield our minds. Satan and his demons love to attack our minds. If he can keep us depressed and give us low self-esteem, he can render us ineffective in our Christian walk. He can also ruin our ministries and walk by tempting us with pride and money. The Bible says,  “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 exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” 2 Cor 10:4-5 (NKJV). Many times our warfare is just a battle of our minds. If we realize who we are in Christ, recognize when the enemy is attacking out minds, and learn to use the sword of the Spirit, Satan and his adversaries will be rendered helpless.

In verse 18 we are told to pray always and be watchful. Many Christians in America are asleep at the wheel. They don’t believe that demons exist and can attack our minds and our families. Please pray that the church in America will wake-up and then we can pray as Paul prayed in verse nineteen that he will open his mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.