Ephesians 6: Full Armor of God

• The phrase "full armor of God" originates from Ephesians 6:13-17.
• The passage encourages believers to equip themselves against spiritual attacks.
• The purpose of wearing the full armor of God is to stand firm against evil.
• The conflict with Satan is spiritual, making tangible weapons ineffective.
• Faithfully following the instructions enables believers to stand and have victory.

Elements of the Armor

• Truth is the first element, setting believers apart from Satan, the "father of lies".
• A "lying tongue" is detestable to God.
• Believers are exhorted to embrace truth for sanctification, deliverance, and witnessing.
• The breastplate of righteousness protects vital organs from fatal blows.
• This righteousness is Christ's, imputed by God and received through faith.
• It guards hearts against Satan's accusations.
• Preparation of feet with the gospel of peace means advancing into Satan’s territory.
• Awareness of traps is essential.
• The message of grace is vital for winning souls to Christ, hence preparation with the gospel is important.
• Satan places obstacles to halt the spread of the gospel.
• The shield of faith extinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one.
• Faith is solid and substantial, rendering Satan's aspersions, doubt, and dismay ineffective.
• The helmet of salvation protects the head, preserving our way of thinking.
• It safeguards the mind, ensuring it holds onto the hope of eternal life.
• A mind with the helmet of salvation will not receive false doctrine or succumb to temptation.
• The unsaved lack the helmet of salvation, leaving them vulnerable to false doctrine.
• The sword of the Spirit is interpreted as the Word of God.
• It is the only offensive piece of spiritual armor.
• The sword analogy represents the power and holiness of God's Word.
• There is no greater spiritual weapon.
• Jesus used the Word of God as His overpowering response to Satan's temptations.

Prayer

• In addition to the armor, believers are to pray in the Spirit.
• Praying in the Spirit means praying with the mind, heart, and priorities of Christ.
• Prayer is essential for drawing spiritual strength from God.
• Without prayer and reliance on God then spiritual warfare is futile.
• The full armor of God includes truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer.
• These are the tools for spiritual victory.
• Satan is a defeated foe.