The Christians Armour

Sermon: The Christian’s Armour
Sermon Teacher: Brother Underwood
Sermon Dates: January 14, 2019; January 24, 2019; January 28, 2019
Prayer: Dog Pen Church Prayer
Premise: To help true believers identify with the armor of God and its necessity on the battlefield against the wiles of the devil.
Scripture Reference: See sermon body

Sends him, knowing that his Father understands him better than he understands himself.

He gives up the helm of his ship to the hand of a gracious God, and he himself is enabled to fall asleep softly in the cabin.

He believes that his Captain hath power over winds and waves; and when he sometimes feels his ship rocking in the storm, he cries that he is not only a pilgrim but a soldier of Christ — 2 Tim, 2:1-4.

The apostle Paul warns us that our conflict has to do with more than human foes. We must remember that all true believers belong to the spiritual realms as well as the natural, and so has spiritual as well as natural foes, and hence needs spiritual strength as well as physical. — Eph. 6:10-18.

This sermon is about a true believer’s armor (i.e the whole armor of God) and the needs of each piece so that we may be “strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.”

* “Finally” denotes that the Apostle has reached his closing exhortation that pertains to each aspect of the Christian life which are to be revealed in the home, in business, in the world.
(1743), endunamee, en-doo-nam-ó-o, to empower

The words “be strong” mean to muster the strength for the conflict, and be strong “in the Lord” signifies that we must seek that strength from the only source from which we can obtain it — Ex. 15:2-3; Ps. 28:7-8; Phil. 4:13; Ps. 84:5

Notice that it does not say to be strong from the Lord nor to be strengthened by the Lord. Thus, “be strong in the Lord” means that you must maintain a live practical relationship to and remain in constant communion with the Lord in actual experience.

A soldier not only needs the strength of body for that carrying of his heavy weapons, for that strain of long marches, and for that actual fighting, but he also needs courage.

The two chief things which are needed for one engaged in fighting are strength and courage, or vitality, and a brave heart — Deut. 31:6; Ps. 31:24 (Psalm 27)

To be strong in the Lord means to seek his strength at the beginning of each day. There has to be the renewing of our strength, and that strength has to be drawn from the Lord by the actings of faith, appropriating from his “fullness — Is. 40:31; 2 Cor. 4:16 (Hab. 3:19) Eph. 3:14-21.

Unless we go forth to the conflict continually looking to Christ for all needed supplies of grace, deriving all our vitality from him, we are sure to be defeated.

The enemies we have to contend with cannot be overcome by human wisdom and might. And so, we are told to “put on the whole armor of God in order to stir up ourselves to resist temptation by a believing reliance upon God’s all-sufficient grace.

All true believers are engaged in warfare, hence the “armor of God” is urgently needed. It is called the “armor of God” because he both provides and bestows it.

God does not fit it on us but rather he places it before us and it is our responsibility, duty, task, and privilege to put it on. (Divine Sovereignty, human responsibility).

The “armor of God” represents and denotes the different spiritual graces which are to protect our varied faculties.
To put on the “armor of God” simply means that we are to call into exercise and action our graces. There is no success in resisting the devil if our graces are not in exercise. — 1 Tim 4:6-10; 6:11-12.

Because we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, not against puny human enemies no stronger than ourselves, but against powers and rules and of the darkness of this world: therefore the panoply (i.e. a complete suit of armor) of God is essential.

Those enemies seek to destroy faith and produce doubt. They seek to destroy hope and produce despair. They seek to destroy humility and produce pride.

They seek to destroy peace and produce bitterness, and malice. They seek to prevent our enjoyment of heavenly things. Their attack is not upon the body but upon the soul. — Ps. 40:12-17

What wonders that a true believer has when he carries heavenly graces in his blossom. We know that heaven is a prepared place for prepared people.

In the midst of thy tremendous billows our soul is confident, and resteth still on him that loved us and gave himself for us — John 3:16; 10:11

He finds his brightest pearls in the darkest waters, and bring up his most precious jewels from the filthiest dunghills.

We put on the whole armor of God by taking it unto us — that is, by appropriation by making it our own, that we may be able to withstand the devil’s temptations.

We must stand our ground, strive against, and resist the devil. “To stand” is the opposite of a slothful sleep ok a cowardly flight.

In Gethsemane, they did not “stand”, but lay down and slept at the post of duty — Matt. 26:36-46 (Results — Matt. 26:56 Tarry (3306) meno (me???) — means to stay, remain, stand.

Notice that God has told us to “put on” the whole armor of God and then we are only ordered to “stand.” (Greek-histemi (his-tay-mee) (2476) to stand fast, to endure, to persist)

God has not called his people to an aggressive war upon Satan, to invade his territory, and seek to wrest from him what is his; but he has told us to occupy the ground which he has allotted us. — Phil. 1:27-30; 1 Thess. 3:8-13

“Stand, therefore” is all that the Spirit of God has told us to do in our conflict with the devil.” Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.” — 1 Cor. 10:12-13

* Now we have come to the passages in Scripture that mention the seven pieces of the Christian’s armor.

We will be breaking down each piece and it’s every function in order to defeat and protect all true believers from the wiles of the devil.

* 1) “The Girdle of Truth”

The first thing a soldier does when their about to be active is to gird up around their waist that outer garment which trails to the ground.

When the garment is not girded and hangs down, it indicates the soldier is at rest. To “gird up” is, therefore, the opposite of sloth and ease, following the line of least resistance.

“To be girded about with a girdle of truth” — what does that metaphor denote? We know that the carnal reference is to the waist or joins.

Spiritually, it denotes the mind, which is the center or mainspring of all our activities — 1 Pet. 1:13-16.

The mind “girded up” means a mind that is disciplined, self-controlled, and subdued from vain imaginations.

Being that the “loins” (i.e. the mind) are the place of strength, we must not allow our thoughts and imaginations to run wild.

If our thoughts are not brought into captivity in obedience to Christ, we’ll have no communion with God, and no power against Satan.

The girdle of truth is what must regulate the mind, control the thoughts, and subdue the imagination. There must be a knowledge of faith in, love for, subjection to God’s word — John 8:31-32; 17:17-21.

The girdle of truth also signifies reality and sincerity. The girdle of truth comes first because if it is tracking then everything else is vain and useless — Psalm 51:6:1 Tim. 1:5.

We must examine our graces and test them by Scripture to see whether our faith and love be genuine — 2 Tim. 3:16-17

The girdle of Truth (i.e. the military belt of the soldier) signifies the mind being regulated by the word of God, and guarded by a real sincerity; and this alone will protect us against Satan’s temptations unto slackness, of guile, and hypocrisy.

Eve failed because she had received the word, but not in the love of it. Instead of the truth bridling her imaginations and desires, she cast it from her. — Gen. 3:6

When Satan approached Christ, he was girded with the girdle of truth: his thoughts were regulated by the word, and there was an absolute sincerity Godwards — John 17:24-26; Luke 4:4, 8, 12

* 2) “The Breastplate of Righteousness”

The second piece of the Christians’ armor is the breastplate of righteousness. Notice the connection “and” which intimates that there’s a very close relationship between the mind being girded with truth and the heart protected with the breastplate of righteousness — Prov. 4:23.

The “breastplate of righteousness” refers to that righteousness which Christ wrought out for us (i.e. imputed) and that righteousness which the Spirit works in us (i.e. imparted), which is what we need if we are to withstand the attacks of Satan — 1 Thess. 5:8 Rev. 19:7-8-11.

To put on the breastplate of righteousness means to maintain the power of holiness over our affections and conscience — Act 24; 2 Cor. 5:20-21.

The girdle of truth is to meet Satan’s evil suggestions to defile the mind and the breastplate of righteousness is needed to foil his efforts corrupt the affections or defile the conscience.

Where there is a conscience that reproaches us, then we soon fall victim to other attacks of the devil.

*3) “Preparation of the Gospel of Peace”

The third piece of armor: “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” The holy spirit is using a figure of speech here to reference that which is internal rather than external, spiritual rather than material.

Just as the girdle of truth has to do with the mind, the breastplate of righteousness with the heart, so the shoes for the feet are a figure of that which concerns the will.

The feet carry the body from place to place, and the will is that which directs the activities of the soul; what the will decides, that is what we do — Phil. 2:12-13 2 Thess. 3:3-4.

Now the will is to be regulated by the peace of the Gospel. In becoming reconciled to God and in having goodwill to our fellows the Gospel is the means or instrument that God uses — Psalm 110:2-3; 96:9-13.

The Gospel is not only a message of good news but a divine commandment and rule of conduct that demands obedience — Matt. 16:24-25; 2 Cor. 9:10-15; 1 Pet. 4:16-19.

The Gospel requires us to deny ourselves, take up the cross daily, and follow Christ in the path of unreserved obedience to God. — Is. 52:7; Rom. 10:15.

The third piece of armor signifies with alacrity and readiness a response to God’s will. The peace of “the Gospel” comes from walking in subjection to its terms and by fulfilling the duties which it prescribes.

* Note: The feet must be adequately shod if we are to walk properly and comfortably, so the will must be brought into subjection unto the revealed will of God if we are to enjoy his peace. (Shod) — hulodeo hop-od-eh’s — Put on shoes or sandals.

Again, the connection “and” brings together the third piece of armor with the first two. The mind, the heart and the will denote the complete inner man.

So, the girdle of truth is to protect us from Satan’s efforts to fill the imaginations the breastplate of righteousness is God’s provision to protect us from Satan’s efforts to corrupt our hearts and produce that which is unholy.

So having our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace means, the will be brought into subjection to God, and that protects us from Satan’s temptations into disobedience.

* 4) “The Shield of Faith”

The fourth piece of armor (i.e. the Shield of faith) lacks the connecting “and” but boasts of the word “above all” which signifies something chiefly, preeminently, or supremely.

If the first three pieces of armor, which represent our inner being, are to be guarded then there must be faith in exercise.

It is an essential thing that you should take the shield of faith. Even if there were sincerity, love, and a pliable will, yet without faith, we could not please him. — Heb. 11:6

Faith is the life of all the graces and is all in all in resisting temptations. We must be fully persuaded of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures if we are to be awed by their precepts and cheered by their encouragement.

We will never heed properly the divine warnings or consolations unless we have explicit confidence in their divine authorship — Ps. 19:7-8; Rom. 1:16-17.

Scripture likens faith to that of a “Shield” because it is intended for the defense of the whole man and by the shield of faith are we enabled to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Taking the shield of faith means appropriating the word of God and acting on it. We must have the right to hand a word that is pertinent for the particular temptation presented — Col. 3:16.

* Examples: Tempted unto covetousness — Matt. 6:19; being solicited by evil companion — Prov. 1:10; tempted to harshness — Rom. 12:10.

Above all, taking the shield of faith means we must be confident in the word, that our heart must go out in trustful expectation to the Author of it, and we must count on its effect to repulse the devil. — Prov. 2:11

*5) The Helmet of Salvation

The fifth piece of the true believer’s (Christian) armor is the “helmet of salvation”. You may notice the connecting word “and” which denotes a link between the fourth piece of armor (the shield of faith) and the fifth (the helmet of salvation)

To help us to define what the “helmet of Salvation” is, the Spirit through Scripture has linked it with faith — Heb 11:1; 1 Thess. 5:8.

Soberness is that which should characterize and identify the people of God — the righteousness which is imputed and the righteousness which is imparted.

Now faith and hope are inseparable: they are one in birth and one in decay. If faith languishes, hope is listless.
Hope always looks forward, having to do with things to come and therefore puts salvation in the future rather than in the past — Rom. 8:24-25.

By the “helmet of salvation”, we should then understand the heart’s expectation of the good things promised, a well-grounded assurance that God will make good to his people those things which his word presents for future accomplishment — 1 John 3:1-3.

Satans job is to cast a cloud of gloom over the soul and produce anxiety about the future. His favorite weapons are despondency and he frequently with effort wants to dampen our spirits.

To repulse the devil and his antics, we are to “take the helmet of salvation”: that is, we are to exercise hope — anticipate the blissful future, look forward unto the eternal rest awaiting us by looking away from earth to Heaven — Psalm 62; Matt. 11:28-30; Rom. 8:36-39

*6) “The Sword of the Spirit”

The sixth piece of armor is the “sword of the Spirit”, which is the word of God. The word of God is here called “the sword of the spirit” because he is the Author, the Interpreter, and the Applier of it.

He is the only one that can give it power over us. We can handle the word meditate upon it, pray over it, and it has no effect upon us whatsoever unless the Spirit applies his sword. — 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Phil. 4:13.

God has provided his people with an offensive weapon as well as defensive ones. We are not only to resist our lusts but to subdue them — 2 Cor 7:1; 1 Tim. 6:11-14.

This is the active, aggressive side of the Christians’ warfare. It is significant to note that “the sword of the spirit” is mentioned as the sixth piece of the armor.

There is a twofold reason for that. First, because all the other graces (i.e. pieces of armor) are necessary in order to make the right use of the word.

All the Christian graces contemplated under the other pieces of armor must be in exercise before we can profitably handle the word of God (i.e. the sword of the Spirit).

If there is not a sincere mind and a holy heart, we shall only handle the word dishonestly. If there is not practical righteousness, then we shall only be handling the word theoretically.

If there is no faith and hope, we shall only misuse the word.

Secondly, it teaches us that, even when the true believer has attained unto the highest point possible in this life, he still needs the word — Phil. 2:12-16 Josh. 1:8.

If we are to look, Christ, we are to learn from his example. He used the sword of the spirit for self-defense in repulsing the assaults of the devil — Matt. 4:4,7,10

He was not aggressively attacking him, but as the dependent man, he used the weapon in the power of “the Spirit” — Matt. 4:1; Luke 4:14.

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit references 1 Kings 18:12 — that the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee whither I know not. “Shall carry” (5375) is the Hebrew word Nâsâ, naw-saw, and it means to lift, accept, advance, arise, able to armor, suffer to bear, wear, obtain, furnish, etc.

What we see is that when Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, he was girded with the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, his feet shod with the shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of peace, and has taken unto himself the shield of faith and the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit was sheathed until he had to use it for self-defense as the devil tempted him body, soul, and spirit. — Is. 59:17, 19.

It was by the repeated sword thrusts of God’s word that Jesus overcame his adversary in the wilderness — “It is written; It is written, It is said”!

As soldiers of Christ, we must learn to exercise each piece properly (aright) in order for the whole armor of God to be effective against the savage attacks of the enemy.

We are at our best when we are conscious and aware of our own weaknesses and ineffectiveness and go before him that we may rely solely on him — Psalm 29:10-1

*7) “Prayer”

The last piece of armor, but definitely not the least, is prayer. Prayer is that which alone gives us the necessary strength to use the other pieces of armor.

After the soldier of Christ has taken unto himself the other six pieces of armor, before he is so thoroughly furnished to go forth unto battle and fitted for victory, he needs the help of his Almighty General — Judea’s 3:9-11; 3:15-30; 1 Sam. 7:8-13 Acts 16:22-36.

We are to fight upon our knees! Only prayer can keep alive the different graces which are figured by the various pieces of armor. Only he who has given us these arms can enable us to make successful use of them. — Psalm 116:4; 121

We are not to think only of ourselves, but also of our fellow-soldiers who are engaged in the same conflict — John 17; 1 Thess. 5:17-27

Finally, every flower of God in the garden of humanity feels the sweet south wind of the Spirit, as it blows upon it, and causes the sweet spices to send forth that fragrant perfume.

The understanding feels it and it is enlightened; the will feels it and it is subjected to the will of God; the heart feels it and it is fired with holy love; the hope feels it, for it looks forward to the day when the whole man shall rejoice in the peace with God when the holy spirit becomes a royal tenant of the heart with all his glorious train of graces.

We should start each day and end each day with his light and his love. — Eph 6:19-20, 23-24.

It is only then, my brethren, that we become strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and therefore able to wear the whole armor of God.

Let us fight the good fight!