Discuss the different elements of the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). 531-1 - 4 - 1

Paul tells us to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” and “If God be for us, who can be against us?” In Ephesians 6:11-13, “11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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.”

“The helmet of salvation helps me to keep my focus positive by deflecting negative thoughts that Satan tries to contaminate my mind with. The “darts and arrows” of Satan bounce off my helmet which is reinforced by “The shield of faith.” Both “the helmet of salvation” and “the shield of faith” are defensive weapons to help us/ me in keeping our mind stayed on Jesus.

Ephesians 16-17, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Paul doesn’t mention prayer as a part of the armor, However, the “sword of the spirit”/ the Word of God provides authority to our/ my prayers.

“And prayer should be in the Spirit, that is, inspired and led by Him. Formal prayers recited merely by rote (without giving thought to their meaning)—of what value are they in combat against the hosts of hell? There must be vigilance in prayer: watchful to this end. We must watch against drowsiness, mind-wandering, and preoccupation with other things. Prayer requires spiritual keenness, alertness, and concentration. And there must be perseverance in prayer. We must keep on asking, seeking, knocking.”

[Believer’s Bible Commentary]

Our feet are to be “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” And in we are to “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” We are to walk in peace and our feet will stay on the path of righteousness.

Much as I try to keep on the Armor of God my helmet often slips a little and then devil inspired nagging doubts try to sneak in, thankfully the shield of faith comes to the rescue. My best offensive weapon is prayer and prayer wearing the whole armor of God.

Paul again makes his point in 2 Corinthians 10:4, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” And in Romans 13:12, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”

Wow! Isaiah 54:17 presents several great declarations, including the “righteousness that is of the Lord.” 519-2 - 21 - 3

Isaiah 54:15, “Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.” Those gathered against Israel shall fall.

Isaiah 54:16, “Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.” According to Brown-Driver-Briggs the waster, “to spoil, ruin, destroy. Sounds like weapons. However, in verse 17...

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”

Earlier in this chapter God speaks of Israel as an adulteress whom He has cast aside for a time. In verse 3 we Gentiles are mentioned. Then in verse 5 “thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called” would seem to include the Gentiles. Starting with Verse 9 is God’s reconciliation with Israel.

The above does seem to apply to both Jew and the Gentiles who are grafted in. John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” If we abide in Jesus we are grafted in as “the servants of the Lord” and share in the declarations in verse 17.

The impact of verse 17 is knowing that as a servant of the Lord I’m protected by Him. This seems to me to lead into Isaiah 59.

Isaiah 59:17-19, “17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. 18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. 19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”

This of course leads to Ephesians 6 and putting on the whole armour of God. “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.” Ephesians 6:12.