TheFinalGate.COM

Whole Armor of God.

Editorial by Kenny Brownlee (TheFinalGate.COM Ministries)
Pub: 11/18/2021

I know there has been tons of books, writings and sermons on this subject already published and well known. Some I agree with and some I do not agree with, My thoughts on this subject are my own opinion and I encourage you to read and study for yourself as to what you believe. I will start out with reading the scripture from Ephesians 6:10-18

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Verse 10:

Let us break all that down, first in verse 10 Paul wrote “be strong in the Lord in the power of his might”. Be ready to fight in the power of the Lord, under His mighty power and strength that we have been given. Be ready to fight under the banner of God. You know most all nations and kingdoms in world history and up to the current times have national flags or banners. Our national flag here in the United States has been under attack in recent years by those who would like to see it abolished. It seems like our flag or banner is not as important today as it once was. Throughout history, once a kingdom captured the king or city of another kingdom, the victorious kingdom would remove the banner of the conquered kingdom and replace it with their banner. This was to let everyone know who is in charge now, who you are subject to now, and to whom you should pledge your allegiance. We have those in our country now who no longer pledge their allegiance to the banner of the United States.

We as Christians are subjects to the kingdom of God, we are now under the banner of God. When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we spiritually pledge our allegiance to the kingdom. To serve and fight the good fight, to stand up for the cause of the kingdom. The greatest advantage we have is the Power of God through our faith.

Psalm 20:5 We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

Verse 11 and 12:

We need the whole armor of God, notice the armor listed later is physical components of a roman soldier of Paul’s day. But our adversary the devil, is in the spiritual or the supernatural world. This adversary through the spiritual world can also affect us in the physical world. But the true battle of this war is waged on the spiritual battlefields not the physical as with flesh and blood.

Let us look at our opponents listed in verse 12, the principalities, the powers, the rulers, and the host of wickedness. First, we need to understand what each one is and what each represents to gain a much better understanding of just how powerful they are and how and what tactics they use against us.

You can find different interpretations of these four descriptions of dark forces, most translating words from Greek and its meaning and so forth, but I prefer to just stay with modern English clarifications.

Principalities – the state, office, or authority of a prince, territory or jurisdiction of a prince. Like a nation, kingdom, or government.

Prince – is a person of authority, a person of high rank, chief.

Given the fact that Paul list each in a certain order, we can assume that the order is from highest to lowest in hierarchy or authority. So, principalities would be considered the highest of the others, and since it is plural, we can also assume that there are numerous princes.

Principalities also indicates authority over territory and jurisdiction of nations, kingdoms and governments. A principality is what assigns demonic spirits to operate in the disobedient. If we look at this from a military viewpoint, we have Princes over the whole army. The entire military force.

Each level of rank has different degrees of power over the ones below them, it makes sense that one would have more power than another concerning the influence on humankind. Satan and his army are a formidable enemy, immensely powerful and cunning that can trap even the most faithful Christians.

Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Look at Simon Peter, he even failed at times, why did Jesus allow Satan to sift him? If we look a few verses before this, we find that there was a dispute among them.

Luke 22:24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.

They had allowed “Pride” to enter the heart. Therefore, Satan asked to sift him as wheat. When we sin, we open the door for demonic activity. Now, I do not wish to turn this into a Spiritual Warfare study, I will do another editorial for that, but you get the point. This is why, we need the full armor of God.

Sin within the Hierarchy

I also believe that within this ranking system, categories of sin are assigned and delegated down through the ranks. It is through our sin that gives theses powers of evil the authority to work in our lives, governments, courts, police departments, schools, financial institutions, corporate companies, global billionaires, and powerful people of this world. (and on and on)

For example: There is a Prince or Power in charge of sexual immorality. If we took this and break it down into a sub-catalog, maybe it would be adultery, sex out of marriage, pornography, homosexuality and sexual child abuse, this could go on and on. Lets take a look at another like Witchcraft – sorcery, divination (fortune-telling), occults, idolatry (idol worship), astrology, ESP, domination and suppression of others, child abuse, abortion, child sacrifice, drug addiction. My point is that sin has a ranking or category that flows through the hierarchy ranking system from the top to the bottom.

In the book of Job chapter 41 it tells us about a creature called Leviathan, the description of this creature sounds almost un-believable, it sounds like the modern-day Godzilla. I believe it was a real living creature that God created and it makes since to me, as we know dinosaurs existed and was as real as this creature. My point is at the end of that chapter in verse 33 and 34 God tells us what he (Leviathan) represents:

Job 33-34: On earth there is nothing like him,Which is made without fear. He beholds every high thing; He is king over all the children of pride.”

The “king” (prince) over the children of “pride” so, pride could very well be a principality.

We have the Prince of Peace

So, now we have a better understanding of what we are up against, but we have the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ the King of Kings, our King who sets at the right hand of God the Father and holds the power and all authority over all the earth and the heavens.

Ephesians 1:20-21 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Romans 8:37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Veres 13:

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Having a better understanding of our adversary, we find that indeed, we must take on the whole armor of God. The complete armor, not just parts of it or this or that, but the whole armor of God. If not, we cannot withstand the assaults form the dark forces coming against the Kingdom of God, that is us. We are the Kingdom of God, the Church is under attack, we as individuals must suit up and stand with our brothers and sisters as the whole Church. Not just for the Kingdom, but also for humanity. This all sounds like a Hollywood movie, not real. But it is real, it has always been real, even before you or I became Christians.

To Stand

Verse 13 ends with “and having done all, to stand”, verse 14 “Stand therefore” To stand is not to be seated, to stand is to make up your mind to do something. My wife and I have managed to make it to retirement or at least partial retirement. I find myself always having something to fix around the house. Maybe the back door needs replacing, windows have rotted out and needs replacement, house needs painted and on and on. In order for any of these things to get fixed, I must take a stand, I must make up my mind to get it done. I am either in or out, do it or not, hire it out or do it myself. To Stand requires action on my part, no one else other than my wife and I is going to care or be concerned about the situation concerning the state of our house.

To replace a window, I must first be willing to comment myself to the task at hand, then make plans, purchase the new window and supplies required to complete the task. Then start and complete the task. To accomplish all that requires me to first take a stand. Are we serious about all this whole armor of God thing or not? Make up your mind, therefore, take a stand.

Belt of Truth

I do believe it is important to make up your mind as stated above, but if we look at the scriptures it seems to indicate that “stand therefore” is the results of taking on the whole armor of God. As you can see 14 Stand therefore, having girded… , having put on… , having shod… We must take a stand to take on the whole armor of God to be able to withstand the evil day. Take a stand to be able to stand.

“having girded your waist with truth” This has taken on the common statement “Belt of Truth” Isa 11:5 “righteousness should be the girdle of his loins and faithfulness the girdle of his reins” John 14:17 “the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive” and John 16:13 “when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come. He will guide you into all truth”

What is the truth? Is Jesus really the Son of God? Did Jesus really die for my sins? Was Jesus really raised from the dead? Did God really create everything? This single question is God real? Has been the most talked about, most studied, most theorized, exploited, attacked, scoffed, embraced, practiced by faith, witnessed, and augured about in the entire history of humanity. There has never been nothing else that comes close to this topic. The “Truth” is not just what we believe about God. But is also the “Truth” of who God is and the work that He accomplished through His Son Jesus Christ. For me, Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will return again to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Philippians 2 9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

There are many people all over the world that believe in God, many believe that God loves all people and will save them all. Many people will say that God loves them just the way they are, no matter what one may do. A universal God if you like. Many will say that God is whoever or whatever you need him to be. Or, say “I believe in God and that is enough for me, it is my business”. But there are few who believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only way to salvation. That simple truth of the purpose of Jesus Christ is what separates the “Truth” from just "belief". It is the only way to receive the spirit of truth from the Holy Spirit.

The Belt holds up other weapons and supplies that a foot soldier needs for battle. Like a knife, sword that we will discuss later, water, food and so forth. It must be strong and girded tight to hold up. As we need “the truth” in battle, without it, nothing else could hold up.

Breastplate of Righteousness

having put on the breastplate of righteousness

The breastplate secures the vitals, shelters the heart. The righteousness of Christ imputed to us is our breastplate against the arrows of divine wrath. The righteousness of Christ implanted in us is our breastplate to fortify the heart against the attacks which Satan makes against us.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

Do what is right and pursue justice in everything we do, be ready to defend righteousness at all costs. If we lower our values of righteousness to fit normalcy of this world, we allow ourselves to be compromised and loose the credibility of Christ. There is a saying from the halls of my local church that I attend, when people ask: What is Gods will for my life? or How do you know when you are doing Gods will? We always tell them “do the next right thing”. Because if you do that, you will always be doing what our God considers righteousness. Since we have received the holy spirit of promise and the spirit of truth, we know from the heart and spirit what is right.

2 Corinthians 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. Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

It is only through Christ that we have been made righteous, through Christ blood, the costs for our sins. It is not our work or worth that this is based, but is only because of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, we should strive to serve righteousness at all costs, we should be compelled to do just that.

Shod Your Feet

having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace

Shoes, or greaves of brass, or the like, were formerly part of the military armor (1 Sa. 17:6): the use of them was to defend the feet against the gall-traps, and sharp sticks, which were laid out in the way, to obstruct the marching of the enemy, those who fell upon them being unfit to march. The preparation of the gospel of peace signifies a prepared and resolved frame of heart, to adhere to the gospel and abide by it, which will enable us to walk with a steady pace in the way of religion, notwithstanding the difficulties and dangers that may be in it. It is styled the gospel of peace because it brings all sorts of peace, peace with God, with ourselves, and with one another. It may also be meant of that which prepares for the entertainment of the gospel, namely, repentance. With this our feet must be shod: for by living a life of repentance we are armed against temptations to sin, and the designs of our great enemy. (Matthew Henry)

Be ready to share the gospel in simple form, and live at peace among men, do not be so quick to engage in confrontations. But be ready to induce solutions to avoid conflict.

Shield of Faith

above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one

Faith must be our shield: Above all, or chiefly, taking the shield of faith, v. 16. This is more necessary than any of them. Faith is all in all to us in an hour of temptation. The breastplate secures the vitals; but with the shield we turn every way. This is the victory over the world, even our faith. We are to be fully persuaded of the truth of all God’s promises and threatenings, such a faith being of great use against temptations. Consider faith as it is the evidence of things not seen and the substance of things hoped for, and it will appear to be of admirable use for this purpose. Faith, as receiving Christ and the benefits of redemption, so deriving grace from him, is like a shield, a sort of universal defense. Our enemy the devil is here called the wicked one. He is wicked himself, and he endeavors to make us wicked. His temptations are called darts, because of their swift and undiscerned flight, and the deep wounds that they give to the soul; fiery darts, by way of allusion to the poisonous darts which were wont to inflame the parts which were wounded with them, and therefore were so called, as the serpents with poisonous stings are called fiery serpents. Violent temptations, by which the soul is set on fire of hell, are the darts which Satan shoots at us. Faith is the shield with which we must quench these fiery darts, wherein we should receive them, and so render them ineffectual, that they may not hit us, or at least that they may not hurt us. Observe; Faith, acted upon the word of God and applying that, acted upon the grace of Christ and improving that, quenches the darts of temptation. (Matthew Henry)

Helmet of Salvation

And take the helmet of salvation

Salvation must be our helmet; that is, hope, which has salvation for its object; so (1 Th. 5:8). The helmet secures the head. A good hope of salvation, well founded and well built, will both purify the soul and keep it from being defiled by Satan, and it will comfort the soul and keep it from being troubled and tormented by Satan. He would tempt us to despair; but good hope keeps us trusting in God, and rejoicing in him. Your Salvation is the reason that you have been made known of this war, why you are involved in this war. You are not fighting in this war for your salvation! You are fighting in this war to become a sanctified child of the living God, living, and walking above sin to show others and lead others to salvation.

Sword of the Spirit

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

The word of God is very necessary, and of great use to the Christian, in order to his maintaining the spiritual warfare and succeeding in it. It is called the sword of the Spirit, because it is of the Spirit’s inditing and he renders it efficacious and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword.

Notice, the sword (the word) is the only offensive weapon within our armor. Everything else is defensive against the adversary. We need the word to strike back with full authority that the enemy must obey and submit too. The word holds the truth about who God is, who Jesus is and the Holy Spirit, and who we are in Christ. It is the word that sets us free.

Pray

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

For whatever reason; Paul did not associate prayer with any armor piece of the roman soldier of that day. Just like “To Stand”, “be Strong” was not associated to any armor piece, but all three was mentioned as very important components to accompany the whole armor of God.

Conclusion:

All that we have studied in this lesson is how we can live above sin, walk above our circumstances, win the battles of day-to-day life in victory and peace, so at the end of the day; we can say we fought the good fight. To live life on a higher plain above this world, our flesh and the Devil. To have life more abundantly as Jesus told us.

The most troubling things in your life—things you perceive with your five physical senses are not your real issue. Everything that occurs in the visible, physical world is directly connected to the wrestling match being waged in the invisible, spiritual world. Your real enemy the devil wants you to ignore the spiritual reality behind the physical one. Because as long as you’re focused on what you can see with your physical eyes, he can continue to run rampant underneath the surface. So, remember to take on the whole armor of God every day so you can withstand the evil day.