The Spiritual Armor (Part 4)

The Spiritual Armor (Part 4)

By Pastor Young Joon Park

4-11-10

I. Our Enemy

II. Our preparation for the war

III. The Spiritual Armor

1. Personal combat Armor

Armor #1: The Helmet of Salvation (the hope of Salvation)

Armor #2: The Breastplate of Righteousness

Armor #3: The Belt of Truth

Armor #4: The Shoes with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

Armor #5: The Shield of Faith

Armor #6: The Sword of the Spirit = The Word of God

Ephesians 6:17

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word (rJh'ma) of God:

The sixth piece of armor Paul mentions in Ephesians 6 is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." How does a Roman soldier's sword help us understand how to use the Bible to win our spiritual battles?

Resist satan’s intrusion by using the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). The Bible is a two-edged sword – the Word and the Holy Spirit. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to withstand the attacks of satan.

Zechariah 4:6

“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” said the Lord of hosts.

Judges 7, the story of Gideon and his 300 men:

Midianite who were Israel’s enemy and oppressors: 135,000

Gideon and 32,000 Israelite troops gathered near the Midianite camp.

Gideon was ready to do battle, but God had other plans. He was about to show His people just how powerful a God He was.

God’s instruction for the new strategy

1)	Let anyone who was afraid of the upcoming battle return home.
	22,000 were sent home leaving only 10,000
2)	To have the remainder drink from the spring,
	7,700 who knelt down to drink were sent home.
	Only 300 who lapped the water like a dog remained,

On signal they blew trumpets, broke the pitchers covering their torches and shouted, "The Sword of the Lord and of Gideon!" (Judges 7:20).

Then the unthinkable happened. These 300 men - holding not swords, but torches and trumpets - routed the entire Midianite camp.

Scripture records that God "set every man's sword against his companion throughout the whole camp" (Judges 7:22).

So before the Israelites even had a chance to reach for swords, God plunged the enemy camp into chaos and wild defeat. The Israelites were delivered from their foes by a miracle.

This famous story illustrates an invaluable lesson: It is God who gives the victory.

His Sword is what will deliver us.

Taking the Sword

The sword is the only item listed by Paul that serves in an offensive and defensive capacity. Even if we have all the rest of the armor equipped perfectly, without our sword, we amount to little more than heavily armored moving targets.

While the rest of the armor is undoubtedly vital, it is the sword and only the sword that allows us to attack—to directly do the work that needs to be done.

What purpose did the sword serve in the Roman army?

This sword in combat at close range made it a fearsome tool in the hand of a skilled Roman warrior. When sharpened, its dual edges destroyed unarmored foes, while its tapered point could pierce through even heavy metal armor.

What is the Word of God?

Psalm 119:105
Your Word is a Lamp to my feet and a Light to my path.

God's Word—the Holy Bible—illuminates. It reveals to us the good and the bad, the wise and the unwise. It is the ultimate tool in learning how to live the best possible life, free from the restraints of stumbling in darkness.

John 17:17
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is Truth.

God's Word is truth, plain and simple. We can have perfect confidence in the fact that His words are accurate, true and unerring. When followed, they guide us without fail in the paths that we need to walk.

We can be destroyed by lack of the knowledge of God (Hosea 4:6),

but we will be blessed if we hear and keep the Word of God (Luke 11:28).

And the knowledge is not just for us. We are to be ready to answer others who ask us (1 Peter 3:15).

Why a sword?

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

For the discernment

The all-powerful sword of the living God is able to cut through every defense our enemy can raise—down to the very division of bone and marrow. When wielded by a servant of God, nothing can withstand its ability to cut straight to the core of a matter and uncover the truth. As soldiers in God's army, it is our responsibility and duty to use His Word to discern the truth and then follow it.

For molding our lives

When God's Word shows us something wrong in ourselves, we can use this spiritual weapon to "surgically" remove the offending thoughts and actions (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Unlike all other pieces of the armor of God, which are solely defensive, the sword is uniquely suited for both defensive and offensive roles. A solid defense is invaluable, but the sword is the only way we can complete the work we have been given to do.

The example of Jesus – Jesus used the Word of God against satan (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). We must also learn to live "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

Swords are used for close combat, not long-range warfare.

James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

In the military training, the instructor always emphasize how much important of the training. They usually say, “One drop of the sweat in the training ground is the same value of one drop of the blood in the battle ground.”

Christian’s growth comes from the trial. There is no growth and strength if we do not have the trial. Without growth, we will not be able to enter God's Kingdom.

When we face the trials, it is very uncomfortable and we do not like to go through.

But the trials are essential in our journeys as Christians.

Our Lord will give the reward to us when we overcome the trials.

Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26 and 3:5, 12 and 21 are given "to him who overcomes" and not "to him who remains as he is."

1. To eat from the Tree of Life

2. The Crown of Life

3. The hidden Manna and a white Stone with a New Name

4. To give the Power over the nations and the Morning Star

5. He shall be clothed in White Garments, Jesus will not blot out his name from the Book of Life and will confess his name in front of His Father and His angels

6. Make him a pillar in the temple and write Jesus’ New Name on him

7. Will grant to sit with Jesus on His Throne

We need one weapon, the Word of God which is the Sword of the Holy Spirit. So many people try to find out the sources from so many different places, but the Word of God is what you need.

Our enemy cannot defeat the Sword of the Holy Spirit which is the Word of God.

And so, armed only with our sword, we step out to fight our enemies head-on. The struggle is real. It is immediate, and it is in front of us. Our future in God's Kingdom is on the line, and we take up the battle so that we may hold fast to the future He has promised us.

We were, are and are going to face the trial.

1. From inside of me – my flesh desire will struggle with the Holy Spirit desire

2. From my family members – their flesh desire against my obedience to the Lord

3. From the society – spirit of anti-Christ against the Christianity

4. From the anti-Christ in the great tribulation

What promises can we stand on?

Matthew 24:13
But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

God Word is final and will fulfill His Will when God spoke to us.

Isaiah 46:11

Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it."

So take up your sword. The battle is ours.

Don’t just say to the devil, “I don’t like you.” He does not care whether you like him or not. To use the sword against satan, you need to know God’s Word! You must resist the devil according to the Word of God.

Tell him what Jesus said: “Get you behind Me, satan” (Luke 4:8).

Tell him to leave you alone because he has no right to you! Quote the Bible. Put on the whole armor of God because none of us are exempt from satan’s deceitful strategies! We must always be prepared for spiritual warfare.

How to take the sword

You have to believe in Jesus as your Savior and your Lord.

The entire Bible is about Jesus Christ who is our Savior and the Lord.

You will have the eternal life if you believe in Jesus, otherwise eternal perish.

You have to sharpen your sword continually.

A sword needs to be sharpened if it is to remain useful—and it certainly won't

sharpen itself. Set aside some time every day for regular Bible study. Pick a topic you don't know as well as you'd like or a character trait you would like to improve and delve into it. Hear, read, study, Meditate

We have to apply the Word of God in our Daily Life.

Matthew 7:15-27

verse 21-23

“I do not know you. Depart from Me. You evildoers! You who practice lawlessness!”

No relationship with the Lord if we do practice lawlessness. – evildoer

verse 24-27

The lawlessness (evildoer) means that the people who do not apply God’s Word and live in their life.

Hear, read, study, memorize and meditate applying it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit daily.

It is very important to know the Word of God, but the most important part is to change our life by His Will through the Word of God continually.

There are many people with the knowledge of the Bible, but not practicing their knowledge. Not even the very basics. Through continuous practice, we will keep our blades razor sharp and always be ready to defend the hope that lies within us.

4. Prophetic Action

Armor #7: The Cloak with Zeal

Isaiah 59:17
For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.

The cloaks used by ancient armies had a variety of uses that make them relevant today, not as a point of fleeting interest, but as an invaluable tool in our constant war against Satan.

The cloak served several important functions for the Roman soldier.

1.	It provided warmth, which was important to defend against the cold.
2.	Like a rain coat: Natural oils were used to make it nearly waterproof, which was important when the rains came.

3.	It also provided makeshift bedding, which was important during long marches.

Without his cloak, a soldier was subject to bitter cold, freezing rain and painfully uncomfortable nights. These unfortunate conditions would give a noticeable edge to a better equipped enemy, since a cold, wet and sore soldier can easily be demotivated. And a demotivated soldier, while not incapable of fighting, will not be performing at his peak.

What is zeal?

Zechariah 8:2
Thus says the Lord of hosts: "I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her."

God Himself is zealous and fervently passionate about His people and His plan. In simplest terms, zeal is fuel. It is anything that drives people: their passion, their purpose, what they live for. For Christians, zeal is a burning desire to do God's will and to live according to His purpose.

Why is the cloak of zeal important to us as Christians?

Isaiah 59:17
For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.

Just as a soldier without his cloak could quickly find himself demotivated and unable to operate at his peak, so we soldiers of Christ will quickly find ourselves unable to operate at our peak unless we are fueled by zeal.

Two different kinds of zealousness

1. Ungodly zealous even under the Name of the Lord

Philippians 3:6a

as to zeal, a persecutor of the church…

Paul himself was zealous in persecuting the Church, until he learned that was not what God wanted. When he aligned his goals with God's plans, his zeal became very effective.

2. Godly zealousness

John 2:17
Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."

What better example of zeal could there be than our Savior and King, Jesus Christ? When He saw that money changers and sellers of livestock had overrun God's temple and were cheating people (in Matthew 21:13 Christ said they had made it a "den of thieves"), He had made a whip of cords and drove them out. "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"

The disciples recognized this as a case study in being motivated by godly zeal.

People sacrifice their life for their zeal for something always like as the foot ball season.

They stop all the plans and take a time to watch the foot ball game, because they have a great zeal to watch it.

Do you have a zeal for the Lord? Are we on fire for God's way?

Do you have zeal for entering the secret room with the Lord alone?

Do you have zeal for following the Lord?

Do you have zeal for jumping in the Word of God into deeper level?

Do we care deeply about our brothers and sisters? Are we willing to serve, to act and to live just as God would have us to live?

In the practical question:

Every Sunday, do you have zeal for coming to church on time in order to worship the Lord and have fellowship with the saints?

Do you have zeal for giving offering to the Lord? Do you have zeal for having fellowship with other brothers and sisters in the small cell group?

Without this zeal our Christian life is dead.

Conclusion

Armor #1: The Helmet of Salvation (the hope of Salvation)

In the morning, put this on your head when you make up your face and comb your hair

Romans 10:9

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

Armor #2: The Breastplate of Righteousness

In the morning, put this on your chest when you clothe yourself

Matthew 6:33

But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Armor #3: The Belt of Truth

In the morning, put this on your waist when you clothe yourself

John 14:6

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Armor #4: The Shoes with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

In the morning, put this on your feet when you put on your shoes

Mark 16:15

Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.

DL Moody witnessed one man.

Q. “Do you believe in Jesus?” A. “It is none your business what I believe.”

R. He responded to this man. “Yes, it is my business.”

Armor #5: The Shield of Faith

In the morning, take up this with your arm before you leave your home

Hebrews 11:6a

And without faith it is impossible to please Him…

Armor #6: The Sword of the Spirit = The Word of God

In the morning, take this in your hand before you leave your home

Hebrews 4:12a

For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…

Armor #7: The Cloak with Zeal

In the morning, put on this on you after you clothe yourself

1 Timothy 4:15

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

We have to wear all of these spiritual armors all the time to enter the battle ground because they are very important on our daily life.

The real essential to wear this spiritual armor, you have to live truly in every area of this armor everyday. It does not help you for the spiritual warfare if you do only prophetic action everyday, but you have to live the true Christian life daily.

Jesus Christ our Lord should be in the center of your life as your Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ is not your Savior nor your Lord if He is not in the center of your life.

Remember that our spiritual battle is won already when you encounter with the enemy. As long as you keep fighting, you will win. When you resist the devil, there is no such thing as losing the war against our enemy.

You only lose when you quit. Satan does have the power to overpower us. But he does not have the authority to do so. Authority commands power. You must be tenacious, determined, persistent and relentless in your battle against the strongholds.

Remember the outcome of the battle has already been sealed. Read the last chapter of Revelation. We win! Keep this thought in mind: you can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).