The Weapons: The Study of Christian Defense
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The Bible tells us of the weapons we must use to battle
Satan. Our spiritual life depends upon these and we must be well versed in how
to use them.
The Christian's Need for The Lord's Weapons and Armor
Ephesians 6:10 Notice three words:Strong, Power, and Might.
Who are we to be strong in? In the Lord. This strength is proportional to the depth of our relationship.
The closer I am to the Lord the stronger I am in the Lord.
Ephesians 6:11: We are to put on all the armor it will not
be effective if we do not put it all on.
The armor is only for the front. We must be advancing toward the enemy if the
armor is to be any good to us.
Ephesians 6:12: We are battling spiritual forces who use physical
means (trials, circumstances, temptations) to try and defeat us.
Ephesians 6:13: Withstand looks at the fight, while stand
looks at the final result.
The Weapons and Their Symbolism
Paul uses a
Roman soldiers armor as symbolic of our real spiritual weapons.
The Use of the Armor
Notice how each piece of armor finds its fulfillment in
Jesus as its source and in an action or attitude of the Christian life. When we
practice or do them, we put the armor on.
The Girdle or belt is the foundation for the rest of the armor,
as truth must be foundational in all our battles. Seek the truth, speak the truth and stand for
the truth
Eph 4:25 Wherefore
putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are
members one of another. …29 Let no
corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the
use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
The breastplate protected the torso, heart, lungs, bowels
and is the largest piece of armor. The Christian breastplate is righteousness.
Righteousness (integrity, virtue, purity of life, correctness of think, feeling
and acting) is our protection in this world.
Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.
Having the shoes on meant you were prepared to move, ready
to go and share the gospel.
Exodus 12:11 And thus
shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your
staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.
The Shield of Faith protects us when we are under Satan’s
attack. It is our trust in the promises of God.
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
The Helmet is Salvation symbolizes our assurance in our
eternal life though the gift of God.
Hebrews 10:34-35 …knowing in yourselves that ye have in
heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of
reward.
The Sword of the Spirit is both offensive and defensive, as
God's Word it both protects us, attacks sin in us and points the way to
salvation in the lost.
Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of
the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither
is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are
naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Guidelines for Living The Christian Life
Girdle of Truth – Know Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness – Do Right
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – Be Ready
Shield of Faith – Always Believe
Helmet of Salvation – Have Assurance
Sword of the Spirit – Use The Bible
Other Scriptural Guidelines for Christian virtues.
Philippians 4:8-9 Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these
things. Those things, which ye have both
learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall
be with you.
2 Peter 1:5-8 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and
to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge
temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly kindness charity. For if these
things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither
be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, Meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law.
Conclusion: Christian Faces Apollyon
But now, in this Valley of Humiliation, poor CHRISTIAN
was hard put to it; for he had gone but a little way, before he espied a foul
fiend coming over the field to meet with him; his name was APOLLYON. Then did
CHRISTIAN begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whether to go back or to
stand his ground. But he considered again, that he had no armour for his back,
and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him greater
advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts; therefore he resolved to
venture, and stand his ground. For, thought he, had I no more in mine eye than
the saving of my life, it would be the best way to stand.
Chr. APOLLYON, beware what you do; for I am in the
King's highway, the way of holiness: therefore take heed to yourself!
Apol. Then APOLLYON straddled quite over the whole
breadth of the way, and said, "I am void of fear in this matter: prepare
thyself to die! for I swear by my infernal den that thou shalt go no farther;
here will I spill thy soul." And with that he threw a flaming dart at his
breast; but CHRISTIAN had a shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so
prevented the danger of that. Then did CHRISTIAN draw, for he saw 't was time
to bestir him; and APOLLYON as fast made at him, throwing darts as thick as
hail; by the which, notwithstanding all that CHRISTIAN could do to avoid it,
APOLLYON wounded him in his head, his hand, and foot. This made CHRISTIAN give
a little back; APOLLYON therefore followed his work furiously, and CHRISTIAN
again took courage, and resisted as manfully as he could. This sore combat
lasted for above half a day, even till CHRISTIAN was almost quite spent. For
you must know that CHRISTIAN, by reason of his wounds, grew weaker and weaker
Then APOLLYON, espying his opportunity, began to gather up
close to CHRISTIAN, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall: and with
that, CHRISTIAN'S sword flew out of his hand.
Then said APOLLYON, "I am sure of thee now"; and
with that he had almost pressed him to death, so that CHRISTIAN began to
despair of life. But as God would have it, while APOLLYON was fetching his last
blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, CHRISTIAN nimbly reached out
his hand for his sword, and caught it, saying, "Rejoice not against me, O
mine enemy; when I fall, I shall arise"; and with that, gave him a deadly
thrust, which made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound.
CHRISTIAN perceiving that, made at him again, saying,
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that
loved us".
And with that, APOLLYON spread forth his dragon's wings, and
sped him away, that CHRISTIAN for a season saw him no more.
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