THE ARMOR OF GOD

Part Two

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

 

Ephesians 6:10-18

“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH,

and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION,

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit,

and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,”

 

SUMMARY of Part One – The Book of EPHESIANS

 

In Part One of this series we learned that the Disciples of Christ living in Ephesus faced an onslaught of persecution and temptation. When Paul wrote his letter (Ephesians) to the Christians in Ephesus he wished to communicate important spiritual truths that would help Christians understand not only their inheritance as sons and daughters of God, but also their responsibility to live holy in a corrupt and cruel society.

 

We learned that chapters one through three of Ephesians speak about the Christian’s position and identity in Christ, the doctrine of Christian belief and the riches and spiritual wealth we have in Jesus Christ.

 

We also learned that chapters four through six speak of how Christians are to live because of their position and identity in Christ and that it is our duty and responsibility to walk like Christ in our daily life and to keep in step with the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

 

Many scriptures in the New Testament instruct us in how to apply our faith to daily living, including in how we think, feel and act.

 

Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

 

Philippians 1:27-30 “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents — which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

 

We also learned in our last segment that as we follow world events regarding wars, conflicts, rebellions and persecution of people we need to understand these activities are simply a reflection or symptom of what is going on in the spiritual realm as Satan and his demons exert their evil influence upon the nations of mankind.

 

PAUL’S THREE COMMANDS

 

Finally, in the last segment we found that Paul here in Ephesians gives three commands.

 

First we are to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

God is our strength and this is understood in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as well as with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, who lives within us as Disciples of Christ.

 

Paul’s second command is that we are to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm…” (Ephesians 6:11a)

 

We must put on and take up all the armor and weapons God provides for defensive and offensive actions we take and experience in life. We must not miss one piece of armor nor weapon in order to be prepared for the spiritual warfare we face each and every day.

 

Last time we found that before Paul shares his third command in this passage of Ephesians he tells us something about the methods of the enemy we face as well as the type of enemy we are dealing with in Ephesians 6:11b and 12.

 

We learned that the devil has “schemes” he uses to battle against us. He uses deception and trickery to catch us in a snare or trap. He is crafty, horribly intelligent and powerful. The only way to deal with such satanic schemes is to armor up and let God empower us to fight.

 

Paul also told us something about the enemy we face on a daily basis in Ephesians 6:12. We learned our enemy is not “flesh and blood” but they are of a spiritual nature. They are organized as “rulers, powers, world forces of darkness and spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.”

 

Such spiritual powers and authorities can only be dealt with in warfare with the armor and weapons God provides to us as Disciples of Christ. Such armor and weapons given to us for this warfare are backed by the divine guarantee and power of God Himself.

 

Paul’s third command found in Ephesians 6:13 is much like our marching orders for daily living. Paul tells us to “take up the full armor of God so that we will be able to resist the devil in the evil day and stand firm.”

 

SEVEN PIECES OF ARMOR – THREE CATEGORIES

 

In the first part of this series on the Armor of God we also saw how Paul’s list of armor can be broken down into three different groups.

 

The first group includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and the boots or shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace. In our lives as Disciples of Christ these pieces of “spiritual” armor are ones we took up when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and they remain attached to us throughout our lives.

 

The second group includes the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. These pieces of armor ones that we must take up on a regular daily basis as we walk in our daily life, modeling Christ-like thoughts and actions as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

 

The last group is a single piece of armor or weapon and is to be used daily and continually, this is our prayer life.

 

Now we come to Part Two of this series covered in Ephesians 6:16-18.

 

“16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION,

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit,

and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,” 

 

ARMOR OF GOD – GROUP TWO

 

This Division of Armor covers the second three pieces of armor discussed in this Ephesians passage. These pieces of armor are ones we must put on in the present moment as we walk in faith as Jesus did and with the help and power of the Holy Spirit. Again, this is indicated by the tense of the Greek verbs used in this passage of scripture.

 

“taking the shield of faith”

“take the helmet of salvation”

“take the sword of the Spirit” 

 

4 – THE SHIELD OF FAITH – EPHESIANS 6:16

 

16 “in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” 

 

The Greek word for “faith” here is “pistos (pis-tos’)” and means “objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: assurance, belief, faith or fidelity.”

 

Roman soldiers often had two types of shields, a small one attached to one arm and a very large shield that measured 2.5 feet wide by 3.5 feet tall. It was also curved so that there was also some side protection for the soldier. This large shield was the most important one for major battles fought against large numbers of their enemy. This large shield was called a “Scutum” and helped Roman soldiers form their famous “Turtle” battle formation. This formation allowed protection for soldiers while allowing mobility as well. A stationary form of this formation helped repel the attacking enemy. Soldiers in a front line would put their shields next to one another and kneel behind them. Soldiers behind the first line would raise their shields above their heads and the heads of those in the front line. Either of these types of formations allowed the unit of soldiers to form a huge protective shield above all of the soldiers preventing arrows and spears from penetrating their battle line. This shield for the Roman Soldier was made of either metal, or wood covered in metal, as wood alone would have a tendency to burn from the flaming arrows of pitch that were often used by the enemy.

 

Peter also; in his epistle of 1 Peter, is very likely referencing the fiery darts of Satan and/or his demons when he shares about the “fiery ordeals” that the Disciple of Christ may experience as they walk in faith in their daily life. He wished to assure his fellow saints that such experiences should be expected because we all face spiritual battles as we seek to “work out or salvation with fear and trembling” as we live for Christ. This mention of “fiery ordeals” is found in 1 Peter 4:12-13.

 

1 Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”

 

The Shield of Faith is our trust and faith in God. As we trust in the love of God for us and the power He has to protect us; we can be shielded from the attacks of Satan and his demons. These attacks come in the form of temptations aimed at the sinful nature we still battle while a Disciple of Christ. It can also come in the form of oppression as Satan attacks our faith in God desiring to cause us to doubt God’s goodness, character or love. Satan is opportunistic and will take advantage of struggles we face in life to seek to discourage us and cause us to question the goodness of God. This is where a stable faith in our loving God and His Word can prevent us from succumbing to the spiritual darts and arrows Satan aims at us. This Shield of Faith represents our absolute trust in God’s love and concern for us as well as His mighty and powerful ability to keep us safe during demonic worldly attacks as well as fleshly attacks from our own sin nature. The Shield of Faith is the consistent and stable application of what and how we believe in our Heavenly Father to protect us, Jesus Christ the Son of God to intercede for us and the Holy Spirit to empower us to live a strong and stable Christian life!

 

In Hebrews 11 we find the listing of what is called the “Hall of the Faithful” people who obeyed God in many types of difficult situations that were related to spiritual warfare and persecution they endured. Here Hebrews gives us a definition of what godly faith consists of.

 

Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

 

Faith is acting upon the belief we have in God and His Word. Faith involves a decision to take action to bring resolution to the confrontation of the current situation. This is accomplished by girding up your loins with truth; both the objective truth of God’s Word as well as the truth of Christ’s ministry in our lives and His saving work upon the cross. It also involves putting on the breastplate of righteousness.

 

The fiery darts or arrows of the evil one that our Shield of Faith can protect us from are Doubts, Defeating Thoughts, Discouragements, Fears, Subtle Curiosities, Greed, Lust, Pride, Stubbornness, Presumptions, Imaginations, Exaggerations, Guilt, Unrealistic Expectations, Feelings of Hopelessness, Mental Anguish, Suspicions, Over Concern About Other People’s Reactions.

 

Numerous scriptures in the Old and New Testament speak of the spiritual fight that we are in and how we are to be bold in our faith as we fight the good fight. These scriptures not only encourage us, they give us the instruction necessary to “Keep the Faith” in our mind, heart, soul and actions.

 

Psalms 35:1-2, “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of buckler and shield and rise up for my help.”

 

Romans 1:17, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

 

Galatians 2:20-21, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

 

Galatians 3:11-12, “Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

 

1 Thessalonians 5:4-6, 8, “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober… But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

 

Hebrews 10:35-38, “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;”

 

 

5 – THE HELMET OF SALVATION – EPHESIANS 6:17a

 

17a “And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION,”

 

The helmet surrounds the head of a Roman soldier and protects it from flying shrapnel as well as the blows from the enemy. Our brain is the center of our thought processes and is also the nerve center for controlling how the other organs of the body function. It is of vital importance that it be protected in battle. Through our mind we memorize God’s Word, make decisions to glorify God in our lives, communicate our faith to others and express the love of Christ.

 

 The Helmet of Salvation is a symbol of our eternal hope in the salvation that God grants us through Jesus Christ.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:8 mentions both the breastplate and the helmet of God’s armor that we are given. 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:8, “…having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” 

 

If you’ve ever been to a 3D movie you know you have to put on a special pair of glasses to see the depth or three-dimensional depth to the movie. Our salvation has a three-dimensional depth to it as well and we must in a sense, put on 3D spiritual glasses to view our salvation with a depth of the past, present and future.

 

Our salvation that is given to us when we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord has three aspects to it.

 

JUSTIFICATION (Takes place in the past at our conversion)

We are justified the moment we confess our sins and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Justification is our being saved from the PENALTY of sin.

 

SANCTIFICATION (Takes place on a continual basis in the present)

After we are saved we begin a process of sanctification that continues all of our life on earth as we live like Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sanctification is how we are continually being saved from the POWER of sin.

 

GLORIFICATION (Will take place in the future when we arrive in Heaven)

When we reach our Heavenly home we will be glorified and our salvation will be complete.

Glorification is when we will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin in Heaven.

 

The helmet of the Christian is the assurance of the salvation they have through Jesus Christ. This assurance of salvation is verified in Holy Scripture and gives us absolute security that we have eternal life because of God’s grace through Christ which is empowered by the Holy Spirit within our lives because He has sealed us for eternity. This salvation was planned and granted by our Heavenly Father and paid for by Jesus Christ His only son. This salvation is also guaranteed by the seal of the Holy Spirit placed upon us when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. What is symbolized here in the passage with this “spiritual” helmet is the fact that our mind is protected and secure with the knowledge that our salvation rests in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, not on our own abilities or work.

 

This assurance of salvation that we have in Christ gives us a position of strength and security, again…not in ourselves but in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Such an assurance can protect us from the enemy attempting to attack our perception of our life in Christ being questioned our doubted. This precious salvation that was given to us through Christ when we committed our lives to Him can never be removed by Satan or his demons.

 

6 – THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT – EPHESIANS 6:17b

 

17b “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

 

The main Sword of a Roman Soldier was called a “Gladius” (Latin), but in the Greek languate it was called a “Machira.” This double-edged deadly sword was an 18” dagger and very sharp. It was used for close combat and most often utilized for thrusting into an opponent rather than swinging laterally at an enemy. While being very sharp, a thrusting stab could penetrate vital organs and take down an enemy soldier much quicker and permanently than a glancing blow.

 

The Greek word for “Sword” here is “machaira” (makh’-ahee-rah), which means; a knife or dirk and can figuratively mean: war or judicial punishment.

 

“Word” in Greek is “rhema” (hray’-mah) which means; an utterance on a matter or topic (especially regarding a narration or command) or a word. This can also mean saying or verbalizing of the Holy Scripture.

 

This symbol of the “sword of the Spirit” is representative of the Holy Word of God.

 

The Sword of the Spirit is the first and only Offensive Weapon. Being the Word of God it can be used not only defensively to refute doctrinal error and substantiate wise decisions, it can also be used offensively by calling into question false teaching and refute evil ideas. The Sword of the Spirit; the Word of God, is useful not only in dealing with people but also with Satan and his demons. When tempted or challenged in some way in life by demonic influences or temptation, the Sword of the Spirit can protect us from being wounded mentally, spiritually and emotionally by demonic attacks. It can bring strength to us during trials and temptations and keep us on the straight and narrow path of obedience to Christ and His Word.

 

Thomas Guthrie, a Scottish Pastor stated once, “The Bible is an armory of heavenly weapons, a laboratory of infallible medicines, a mine of exhaustless wealth, a guidebook for every road, a chart for every sea, a medicine for every malady and a balm for every wound. Rob us of our Bible and our sky has lost its Sun!”

 

Today in these United States we see a constant erosion of respect for the Bible as a source of wisdom, guidance, strength and power. Charles Swindoll states that, “America has been robbed of its Bible, unless the Son shines through you!”

 

A few scriptures which talk about the impact of God’s Truth contained in His Holy Word are as follows;

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

 

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

 

Isaiah 55:8-11, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

 

7 – PRAYER – EPHESIANS 6:18a

 

If you remember in the first part of this series on the Armor of God Paul gave us three commands:

 

His first command was in chapter 6:10; “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”

 

His second command was in chapter 6:11a; “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm…”

 

Paul’s third command was in chapter 6:13; “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”   

 

Now we come to Ephesians 6:18 which has three more commands from Paul which relate to our seventh and last weapon, PRAYER!

 

Throughout this single verse we not only have three more commands of Paul’s, but also four special instructions as to the manner in which these commands regarding prayer are to be carried out.

 

PAUL’S FOURTH COMMAND

PRAY AT ALL TIMES IN THE SPIRIT

 

18a “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit,”

 

Prayer in the Greek here is “proseuche” and refers to our general communications with God. “Petition” or “Supplication” in the Greek is “deesis” which means specific requests for particular needs. Here Paul associates prayer with the armor of God as one of the believer’s defenses against spiritual attack and in many ways as an offensive weapon as well when we call upon God to act or intercede specifically in a situation of need.

 

Prayer could be viewed as the “Battle Cry” of the Christian. American battle cries have been; “The Red Coats Are Coming!”  “Remember the Alamo!”  “Remember Pearl Harbor!’

 

The Battle Cry for the Christian is “PRAY!” “PETITION FOR THE SAINTS!” “PRAY AT ALL TIMES!”

 

No Satanic evil or powers can withstand the prayers of God’s People. There is nothing as powerful as prayers by the blood of Christ claiming the power of God. Pray for one another by name. Pray for protection and peace. It is through the prayers of God’s people that we will withstand the enemy.

 

Prayer should be considered one of our most formidable weapons as Disciples of Christ. It is a spiritual discipline that we should practice regularly and frequently. It is a holy habit through which we not only communicate with our Heavenly Father; it is also a way to ask God to intervene in the lives of others as well as our own. Prayer should come as natural to us as a Disciple of Christ as breathing does to our physical life.

 

Prayer can travel great distances, through wood, concrete and metal walls. It can penetrate into the lives of others by the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit. There are no limits as to whom or what you can pray for as you seek God’s will be done on earth as well as in Heaven.

 

Elizabeth Elliott states, “Prayer is a powerful weapon. It is an indispensable weapon. It takes practice to wield it. It takes courage and time and spiritual energy.”

 

As we break down this portion of scripture on prayer we notice several points that describe how and why we are to pray.

 

We notice that in this single verse Paul mentions the word “all” four times as he describes the type, manner and purpose for which we are to pray.

 

First he mentions “with all prayer and petition.” By this he means with all types of prayers and petitions we are to pray to God our Father. This could include prayers that are public, private, verbal, silent, loud, soft, deliberate, spontaneous, planned and unplanned. It could also mean prayers that are requests, thanks, confession, humiliation, praise, standing, kneeling, and lying down on our face, lifting up our hands and others. He is describing the numerous ways that prayers can be lifted up to God both spiritually from our heart and physically in our posture.

 

Secondly Paul shares that we are to pray “at all times.” What does this mean? Are we to pray continually and never do anything else? What Paul is telling us here is we should be always ready, willing and eager to pray at a moment’s notice. Several scripture passages emphasize the importance of praying for strength, praying for everything, praying without ceasing.

 

Luke 21:36, “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

 

Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

 

To pray “at all times” is very different than what the Jews often did in their spiritual lives. They were regimented and mechanical often in the way they prayed. It was a religious ritual or habit that they practiced. Judaism had formula prayers, set hours when to pray, how long to pray, places to pray, various postures to have when they prayed. Paul is not communicating this type of prayer life. Paul is describing a prayer life that involves a continual, attitude and readiness to pray “at all times” whenever the need, conviction or opportunity presents itself. It is being ever ready to speak to our Heavenly Father at a moment’s notice about anything or anyone when the Holy Spirit prompts us. It is living your life constantly aware of how God might call you to pray for yourself, someone else or a situation.

 

Paul also gives us a clue in the last part of this portion of scripture as to how we are to pray. He writes that we are to pray; “in the Spirit.” Because the Holy Spirit lives within us as Disciples of Christ as we become more and more sensitive to the Spirit’s leading in our lives, we will be prompted by Him as how and when to pray. We simply have to be sensitive to His promptings and willing to obey and follow through. As we grow in our spiritual life with God we become more attune to the Spirit’s leading. We become more sensitive to the needs of others around us that call for prayer and we sense a conviction of how to intercede in any particular situation with prayer. No matter how or why we pray, when or where we pray, for whom or what we pray; we are to pray in the Spirit. Jude mentions this in his letter in verse 20-21.

 

Jude 20-21, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God,”

 

Romans 8:26-27 also gives us instruction as to how the Holy Spirit assists us in our prayer life.

 

Romans 8:26-27, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

 

What it means to pray “in the Holy Spirit” is to pray consistently and intimately with the heart, mind and will of the Holy Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit communicates to us often with Holy Scripture, it is critical we grow in our knowledge of God’s Holy Word. But, when our scriptural knowledge fails us, when our emotions are too intense to know what to pray, the Holy Spirit will intercede with and for us and pray for us as He encourages us to pray to the best of our ability. Romans 8:27 above tells us that; “He who searches the hearts,” that’s God the Father, “knows what the mind of the Spirit is.” In other words, when you can’t put the words together to pray because of intense emotions, confused thoughts or traumatic situations, the Spirit helps you pray by interceding for you. We also see in this verse in Romans, that because your Heavenly Father knows the mind of the Holy Spirit, He can know what your thoughts and desires are and God will work His perfect will in your life. Praying in the Spirit is also praying in perfect harmony and perfect accord with the will of God the Father.

 

John MacArthur states what we are to pray for; “So we need to pray for things we know God wills, our virtue, our holiness, our strength, our spiritual maturity, our usefulness, our service, a deepening of our love for Christ. Those are the things the Spirit prays for that God agrees with and our prayers need to be consistent with that.”

 

Now we continue with more of Paul’s commands and discover the third and fourth “alls” related to how we are to pray.

 

PAUL’S FIFTH COMMAND – EPHESIANS 6:18b

BE ALERT WITH PERSEVERANCE

 

18b “and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance”

 

Anyone who has served his country in the armed forces has been trained in the skill of staying alert while on duty. The enemy does not announce his presence. He does not wish for you to know when and where he is going to show up. Therefore you have to be on alert 24/7 to be prepared for an attack. You can’t survive or do your duty as a soldier by being alert some of the time or even most of the time. Here Paul is giving instruction as to the manner in which we are to pray. We are to pray with alertness, this means we are to be aware of our surroundings, what is happening, how God is working, how Satan is attacking. A soldier must be alert of his surroundings and the battle ground to be able to discern how to do his duty. Jesus told Peter to be vigilant about praying so that he might not come into temptation.

 

Mark 14:38, “Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 

In addition to being alert, you must also PERSEVERE in your alertness ALL OF THE TIME! You never know when Satan or one of his demons will attack and attempt to lead you astray. This does not mean you have to be nervous or stressed in your demeanor or emotions. Remember you have put on the shoes (boots) of the Gospel of PEACE. You simply are calmly alert and persevering in your commitment to God and awareness of the Holy Spirit within you. While you can never let your guard down, you are walking as Jesus walked – with the calm peace of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The best way to develop this skill of being “alert with all perseverance” is to grow spiritually in your relationship with the Lord and continually use and apply scripture to your everyday life. This is how you can remain alert with all perseverance.

 

This is Paul’s third “all” related to how we are to pray. Knowing that we are to pray in a variety of ways and at all times with the Spirit’s promptings, we are to also as Paul says; “be on the alert with all perseverance.”

 

The Disciple of Christ must have these same skills and abilities in life to serve God, live like Jesus and walk in the Spirit in their prayer life. But Paul also states we are to be alert “with all perseverance.” Not only are we to be aware of what is going on that requires prayer, we have to persist and persevere in our prayer lives. We don’t shoot off a short prayer and leave it at that. We continue to contemplate what we are convicted to pray about and persist and persevere in praying over time until there is an answer to our prayer; whether that is positive or negative. This does not mean we are to stop what we are doing, say at work or while we’re driving and pray until the sun goes down. It means we consistently and persistently continue to pray through the day and/or night as we are able and lift up our prayers to God. Often we will be persistent in praying at specific times of the day or night or even a day of the week about specific needs or requests over long periods of time. There are many stories of mothers or fathers, wives or husbands, even children who have prayed for spouses, family members, relatives and friends for years knowing that their persistent prayers have eventually been answered.

 

PAUL’S SIXTH COMMAND – EPHESIANS 6:18c

PRAYERFUL PETITION FOR ALL THE SAINTS

 

18c “and petition for all the saints,”

 

In the first part of Ephesians 6:18 we were instructed to pray and petition, praying at all times in the Spirit. This type of prayer is where we pray to God for strength, insight, discernment, power, help, and enablement as we seek to live our lives and deal with the spiritual battles we face. In this last part of verse 18 we are also called to pray and petition for “ALL” the saints. This is the fourth “all” of how we are to pray. Yes, we pray for ourselves as we face spiritual battles of life, but we also pray for our fellow Christians, our comrades in arms, our fellow Christian soldiers. We hold each other up in prayer as the darts of the enemy fly at us. We intercede for other Disciples of Christ as they face a specific onslaught or attack from the evil one. We lift each other up in prayer because we love others in the body of the saints.

 

We are not to play favorites in our prayer life. We are to pray for any and all Disciples of Christ whom God lays on our heart. There are some fellow Christians we will pray for in a moment’s notice. These are friends and relatives, people we are especially close to and care about. These are people who are possibly in great need with life threatening issues, financial hardships that are insurmountable or relationship trauma that causes our hearts and minds to feel sympathy for them. But, I am sure if we are honest with ourselves, there are others that we are tempted to ignore in our prayers. These are people we know that have irritated us, treated us badly or seem to just attract trouble because of their own decisions and irresponsibility. We often struggle with seeking to pray for them because we have a hard time overcoming our attitudes and perceptions about them. But Paul here in Ephesians does not allow any categories of Christians who are not to be included in our prayers. He does not say “pray for those who are easy to love,” or “pray for those who deserve your consideration,” or “pray only for those who have prayed for you and you are close to.” He says we are to “petition for all the saints.”

 

Prayer is a powerful weapon that we can use to impact the spiritual war that we are dealing with in our lives. William Cowper wrote a song in the 1700’s about how prayer is of such great necessity in the Christian’s life.

 

What Various Hindrances We Meet

William Cowper 1779 (Two verses)

 

Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw,

Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw;

Gives exercise to faith and love,

Brings every blessing from above.

 

Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;

Prayer makes the Christian’s armor bright;

And Satan trembles, when he sees

The weakest saint upon his knees.

 

Another song regarding the importance of prayer in the life of the Disciple of Christ was written by William C. Poole in the early 1900’s. He challenges us in the frequency with which we pray. As you read the words to this song, you can see that it demands a persistent and continual prayer life take place in the life of the Disciple of Christ. See if these words don’t challenge you to grow stronger in your commitment to pray as a soldier of Christ!

 

Have You Prayed All Night Till the Break of Day

Author: William C. Poole 1915 (Three Verses)

 

Have you prayed all night, till the break of day,
And the morning light drove the dark away?
Did you linger there, till the morning dew,
In prevailing prayer, did you pray it through?

 

Refrain
Did you pray till the answer came,
Did you plead in the Savior’s name?
Have you prayed all night till the morning light,
Did you pray till the answer came?

 

 

Did you pray it through, till the answer came?
There’s a promise true for your faith to claim,
At the place of prayer, Jesus waits for you,
Did you meet Him there, did you pray it through? [Refrain]

 

 

As the Master prayed in the garden lone,
Let your prayer be made to the Father’s throne,
If you seek His will, He will answer you,
Are you trusting still, have you prayed it through? [Refrain]

 

Os Guiness a Christian author, lecturer and theologian went to England to give a lecture series at Essex University. He was being introduced to the audience moments before he was about to speak he looked and noticed a young woman sitting in the front row. What caught his attention was that the young woman had the most peculiar expression on her face, a look of fierce anguish. Recalling a warning that he had received that anti-Christian protestors might attempt to disrupt his lecture series, Guiness paused to pray that God would bless the meeting and restrain Satan so that God’s message would go forth with power. Then Guiness stepped to the lectern and proceeded to give his talk. The lecture proceeded without interruption and was enthusiastically received. After his talk, the young woman with the strange expression walked up to him. She was angry and baffled. “How did you do that?!” she demanded. “How did I do what?” replied Guiness. She replied, “What sort of spell did you cast on me to keep me in my seat?” she asked. “You knew I had been sent here by the Witch’s coven to protest your talk didn’t you?” “And you put some kind of spell on me to keep me in my seat and keep me silent.” “The only spell I used,” Guiness replied gently, “Was to pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

A few weeks later, Os Guiness was back in America. A Christian lady asked him how his Essex Lecture Series had gone. “The reason I ask” she explained, at the same time you were about to begin to your lecture in England, I was suddenly overcome by an impression of you standing on a platform and a woman seated in the audience near you. I had a sense that a battle was going on between the two of you. A spiritual battle between the power of God and the power of Satan and I immediately went to my knees and prayed for you and the woman in the audience.

 

Charles Swindoll tells us concerning the necessity of prayer in the life of the Christian; “When you stepped into the Christian life you didn’t step into a playground, you stepped into a battle ground and you’ll never leave it and it will never get easier.”

 

In the history of warfare and knights who served their king, those young men who were about to be knighted went through a ceremony the night before of their recognition of service to the crown. The young man would often spend the entire night before he was knighted awake in the quietness of the castle chapel. While in there he would strip off all of the armor and spread it out before him as he offered up his soul to God. Each piece of his armor would be named and touched by the young warrior as he would declare his dependence on God for his courage and for his survival.

 

I would encourage you to look at this armor and in your mind and heart and place your hands upon this armor; the belt, the breastplate, the shoes, the shield, the helmet, the sword. For the sake of your courage and survival, claim God’s protection in whatever situation you find yourself.

 

For those of you who don’t know Christ as your Lord and Savior…you will never make it without Him. You can’t make it, you won’t make it. But the good news is God continues to wait for you to make a commitment to Him by accepting His Son, Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and confess your sins. You are either saved or lost, a sheep or a goat. Don’t wait, time is of the essence.

 

THREE PRINCIPLES to REMEMBER as a CHRISTIAN WARRIOR

 

NO SATANIC ASSAULT IS STRONGER THAN GOD!

 

1 John 4:4, “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

 

NO SATANIC ATTACK CAN PENETRATE GOD’S ARMOR!

 

1 Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

 

NO SATANIC EVIL CAN PREVAIL OVER GOD’S CHURCH!

 

Romans 8:37-39, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

 

FINAL ADVICE

SPIRITUAL WARFARE DISCIPLINES

 

Willingly refuse Satan’s lies. – Belt of Truth (John 8:32, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Affirm your righteous position in Christ – Breastplate of Righteousness (Romans 8:38-39)

Reaffirm your testimony. – Shoes of the gospel of peace (I John 3:7-9)

Fix your faith on Jesus Christ as your shield. – Shield of faith (I John 4:4)

Appropriate your deliverance. – Helmet of salvation Colossians 1:10-14)

Renew your mind. – Sword of the Spirit (I Timothy 4:1)

 

Engage in intercession. – Pray (I Thessalonians. 5:17)

 

Around AD 110, a famous preacher, teacher and martyr; Ignatius of Antioch sent a letter to the very same church in Ephesus where Paul had sent his prison epistle of Ephesians. Ignatius described quite dramatically the corporate aspect of spiritual warfare. He stated;

 

“Make every effort to come together more frequently to give thanks and glory to God. For when you meet together frequently, the powers of Satan are overthrown and his destructiveness is nullified by the unanimity of your faith.”

 

The Holy Spirit dwells within each one of us as Disciples of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19), but He also dwells within the gathered community of Disciples, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:21-22).

 

If you truly want to be prepared for spiritual attacks of the evil one and to stand firm in the protection of God you need to stay close to God’s people. As you fellowship with other Christians you will draw strength from their presence and encouragement (Hebrews 10:23-25).

 

I leave you with one final verse to challenge you in your daily living as a Disciple of Christ as you seek to put on the FULL Armor of God and Stand in the POWER of HIS Might!

 

Romans 13:11-14

“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.