Lesson 18
Ephesians 6:14-16, Spiritual warfare, part 2.
The armor consists of 6 components, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
V 14, Stand, therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
The first component of the spiritual armor is the belt of truth, (NIV). We must wear the belt of truth on our waist. The belt of truth is Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and life. Jesus is full of grace and truth. Knowing the truth about Jesus will set us free from deception and false doctrines. Jesus, the word of God is truth.
John 1:14, John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth”.
John 14:7, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”. Jesus is the breastplate of righteousness.
John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 17:17, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth”.
The second component is the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate of righteousness is the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ to us.
Romans 1:17, For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith”.
2 Cor 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”.
Matthew 6: 33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.
V 15, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
The third component is the gospel shoes of peace. The gospel is the good news of peace. To wear the shoes of the gospel of peace is to do evangelism. We are to be ready to share the gospel with anyone, in season and out of season.
2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching”.
1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”.
John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
V 16, above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
The fourth component is the shield of faith. The shield of faith is our faith in God. We are to be strong in faith. The shield of faith will block off the fiery arrows of doubts that satan threw at us.
Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.
Hebrews 11: 6, And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Ephesian 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith”.
Psalm 35:1-2, “Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me. Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help”.