Pastor Billy Myron continues the Christian Life series addressing Satan’s attacks, focusing on the armor of God in Ephesians 6. The passage is reviewed: be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might; put on the whole armor of God to stand against the wiles of the devil; wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies; take the whole armor to withstand in the evil day and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore having loins girt with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching with perseverance for all saints.
Previous teaching covered the belt of truth (seeing things as they really are, not being deceived) and the breastplate of righteousness (righteousness in Christ, not self-generated). Tonight covers the next three pieces: shoes, shield, and helmet.
Feet are shod with the preparation or readiness of the gospel of peace. This is not merely the shoes of the gospel of peace but of its preparation. The gospel is declared in 1 Corinthians 15: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and was seen by witnesses including Cephas and the Twelve. This is the gospel through which believers are saved if they keep in mind what was preached. Dangers exist of another Jesus, a different spirit, or a different gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4). In Galatians 1:6–9, some are removed from the grace of Christ unto a different gospel, which is not another of the same kind; if any preach any other gospel, let him be accursed. The Galatians struggled with law and failed to understand what Christ accomplished and their changed relationship to law. Accuracy matters: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose the third day.
The gospel involves peace. In Ephesians 2:11–18, Gentiles in the flesh were once without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God. Now in Christ Jesus those far off are made near by the blood of Christ. He is our peace, having made both one and broken down the middle wall of partition, abolishing in His flesh the enmity (the law of commandments and ordinances) to make in Himself of two one new man, so making peace. He reconciles both to God in one body, having killed the enmity, and gospelized peace to those far off and those near. Through Him both have access by one Spirit to the Father; believers are no longer strangers but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. In Romans 10:11–15, whoever believes will not be ashamed; there is no difference between Jew and Gentile; the same Lord is rich to all who call upon Him; whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How shall they call without believing, believe without hearing, hear without a preacher, or preach unless sent? How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings. In Romans 5:1, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This piece counters spiritual cowardice: situations may arise where one is led to give the gospel, yet fear of reception or others laughing leads to missing the opportunity and privilege of sharing. All should be ready. Put on the whole armor of God, including this piece, not only when a situation seems to require it. Walking is difficult without shoes; these are necessary for giving the gospel and dealing with attacks. Do not reserve preparation only after realizing a need; the whole armor works together.
The shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16) enables quenching all the fiery darts of the wicked one. In 2 Corinthians 5:6–8, while at home in the body we are absent from the Lord; we walk by faith, not by sight, and are willing to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. In Romans 14:13–23, do not judge or put a stumbling block; nothing is unclean of itself, but to the one who reckons it unclean it is unclean. Do not destroy with food one for whom Christ died. Have faith to oneself before God; the one doubting is judged if he eats because he does not eat from faith, for whatever is not from faith is sin. Doubt (not being convinced something is right, yet doing it anyway) is sin. Satan attacks with doubt applied to many areas of mind and attitude. Christians act out of faith and do not do what they do not believe is right. Growth may be needed where prior teaching conflicts with Scripture (nothing unclean of itself; Christians not under Mosaic law), yet act from faith. Satan uses circumstances as fiery darts to induce doubt about what is proper. In 1 Thessalonians 3, Paul, having left Thessalonica amid beginning persecution and receiving no word, sent Timothy to establish and comfort concerning faith lest the tempter have tempted them and labor be in vain. He had foretold tribulation. Timothy brought a good report of their faith and love. Job illustrates extreme circumstances used by Satan. The shield counters doubt and fiery darts; faith is part of the fruit of the Spirit. James 1:2–3 says count it all joy when falling into various temptations (testing with intent to trip), knowing the testing (for approval) of faith works patience. Victory, not failure, produces endurance. The shield is large, providing coverage over other pieces. The armor works together as a whole; five of six leaves openings Satan will exploit. Put on the entire armor.
The helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17) reminds of the security of salvation. Romans 4:23–25 addresses imputation of righteousness; Christ was raised because of our justification (same root as righteous; we are righteousified). Resurrection is essential to the gospel; if Christ is not raised, we are still dead in our sins (1 Corinthians 15). Romans 5:1–5 and 10 state that being justified by faith we have peace with God, access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God; we glory in tribulations knowing tribulation works patience, experience, and hope, which does not make ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad by the Holy Spirit. If when enemies we were reconciled by the death of His Son, much more being reconciled we shall be saved by His life. In Revelation 12:7–10, war in heaven results in the dragon (old serpent, devil, Satan, deceiver of the whole world) and his angels being cast out; a voice declares salvation, strength, the kingdom of God, and the power of His Christ, for the accuser of the brethren is cast down who accused them day and night. This differs in dispensation yet illustrates accusation (as with Job, who was pointed out for righteousness yet undermined). Hebrews 7:24–28 shows Christ continues forever with an unchangeable priesthood, able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession. He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, higher than the heavens, and offered Himself once. Salvation is guaranteed; nothing anyone does can change it. It is past (we have been saved), present (ability for victory in the Christian life addressed in this series), and future (guaranteed). Satan would have believers doubt past salvation, present ability, or God’s provision and plan. Mentally putting on these truths counters his attacks. God plans believers to be with Him forever and continually provides means for present-tense salvation. First Thessalonians 5:8 presents a different breastplate of faith and love and helmet of the hope of salvation in the context of living soberly as children of the day, watching for the Lord’s return, not specifically the armor against Satanic attack. Believers are not under attack every moment; ordinarily faith, hope, and love suffice for Christian living. When attacked, the full armor of Ephesians 6 is required.
