Are you ready for battle?

 

Ephesians 6:11-17

Life on this earth is a battlefield.  And the warfare is ugly.  The enemy uses unspeakable weapons, and the attacks come from all directions.  Are you wearing your armor?

Ephesians 6:11 starts with "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."  This is a directive that requires the believer to take action. The word "stand" is used 3 times in these first 4 verses. We are encouraged and directed to stand against Satan.  Not to give in, but to stand firm, stand against, stand our ground against him.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians that God doesn't send us into battle without the proper equipment to win against Satan.  He has already provided us the way to victory.

Belt of truth:  The belt would keep all of the armor in place.  This is the Word of God.

The Breastplate of Righteousness: The breastplate's purpose is to protect the vital organs-the heart.  The breastplate of righteousness protects your heart against Satan's schemes, corruption and injustice.

Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace: Strong and ready, sharing the good news of peace with God.

Shield of faith: The shield defects the enemy's arrows and provides extra protection to the rest of the armor.  This is our protection against temptation and distraction thrown at us by Satan.

Helmet of Salvation: The helmet guards our minds.  It provides the ultimate victory over the forces of evil.  Sword of the Spirit: The sword provides as both offensive(the only one mentioned) and defensive weapon. The sword can defeat the enemy's plan and rescue lives.  The Sword is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Satan is dedicated to:

1.  Destroying the believers confidence in God

2.  Seducing the believer thru deceptive teaching or their own sin to believe a lie

3.  Preventing unbelievers from hearing a clear message about the gospel

He is called by over 40 different names throughout the Bible.  See him for what he is.  Make no mistake about his mission....

Accuser -“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.’” Revelation 12:10

Adversary -“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Deceiver-  “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9

Devil - “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

Dragon - “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9

Enemy - “The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.” Matthew 13:39

Evil one - “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15

Father of lies - “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44

...just to name a few.

And do you know when he hits you the hardest?  When you are impacting others for the Kingdom of God.  When you are stepping out in faith, maybe for the first time.  When those you love are suffering.

RUN, run into the arms of Jesus for his protection, guidance, and love.

"...be alert, and always keep on praying..." 

Are you ready?

Where is your armor?