How to rule and reign with Jesus Christ.
God has provided us with armor for the battle we are in here on earth.
The apostle Paul did not write we were to put on our armor; he wrote we are to put on God's armor. This is spiritual armor for the believer.
When the knights of medieval times put on their armor and their helmets and dropped the visors over their faces, they all looked like powerful, muscular, dangerous warriors to the enemy. Regardless of the shortcomings of the body on the inside of that armor, they looked like mighty warriors.
When we put on God's armor, we look just like God to the devil. Then all we must do to win the battle is talk like God, walk like God, and act like God!
We are to operate in God's mighty power. We are not to go into battle in our own strength.
Jesus' work is complete! He has already defeated the devil and his demons.
On earth, He has created men and women to walk in authority. He has restored our authority, and now, we must rise up and demonstrate the devil is a defeated foe. We must forcibly advance the kingdom of God on this earth.
The Apostle Paul gave this clear instruction to the Ephesians and ultimately to us as we are now engaged in the same spiritual battle for our very lives. Our goal is to stand firm, to resist. Never surrender. Never give in.
The Armor of God - 10 Important Points. I found 10 points in this part, Ephesians 6:10-18 which will be useful. (10 Fingers)
Ephesians 6:10-12 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms".
Jesus Christ has completely conquered Satan and all his works, and has delegated His authority to His followers to rule and reign till He returns to finally establish His Kingdom for eternity
Grow in the Lords strength (v10).
1 Samuel 30:6 "David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God".
Be fully prepared (v11a).
The idea of preparation is really readiness. We must be mobile, flexible, and ready with the truth. This is a place to have in the Christian life, to live in constant readiness and flexibility.
1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings".
Take a stand against the devils schemes (v11b).
Christians we are facing "the schemes of the devil."
James 4:7 "Submit yourselve, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you".
Ephesians 6:12-17 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God".
Recognize the spiritual battle (v12).
Our struggle is nothing less than a spiritual warfare being waged against us by the devil and all of his hosts (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
Stand your ground (v13+14).
We do the Lord's work and stand against every hint of spiritual opposition. God gave us a glorious standing to maintain it by faith and spiritual warfare:
We stand in grace (Romans 5:2).
We stand in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1).
We stand in courage and strength (1 Corinthians 16:13).
We stand in faith (2 Corinthians 1:24).
We stand in Christian liberty (Galatians 5:1).
We stand in Christian unity (Philippians 1:27).
We stand in the Lord (Philippians 4:1).
We should stand complete in the will of God (Colossians 4:12).
Know Gods armor (v13-17).
Belt, which represents truth.
Breastplate, which represents righteousness.
Footwear, which represents the gospel of peace.
Shield, which represents faith.
Helmet, which represents salvation.
Sword of the Spirit, which represents the Word of God.
Prayer - the secret spiritual weapon.
Ephesians 6:13-17 "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God".
Put on the armor of God (v11) (v13-17).
Paul used the Greek word "enduo" which refers to "the act of putting on a new set of clothes". Paul is commanding us to take immediate action. Paul tells us that it comes from God. Because this weaponry has its origin in God it is vital for believers to remain in an unbroken fellowship. Then believers will enjoy the benefits of our spiritual amour.
Many Christians start each new day first by pretending to put on each item of the armor of God. They put on each piece of weaponry. There is nothing wrong with this daily routine. This might help some Christians.
The armor of God is ours by virtue of our relationship with God and is your guarantee that you are dressed in the whole armor of God. God provided believers a complete set (7) of weaponry. Whole armor means you are spiritually dressed as a soldier from head to toe. Believers have everything they need to successfully combat the opposing spiritual forces of the enemy.
Develop your "IT IS WRITTEN" ability (v17).
Jesus answered Satan by quoting the Word of God when he was tempted. Jesus was tempted in three areas, body, soul and spirit. Temptations will come our way. We need to handle it the same way as Jesus. It is important to know what is written in the Word of God. God's Word is our weapon. We resist Satan by speaking the Word of God. Satan is already defeated.
Jesus did it! Satan needs to hear it! Jesus said it is written . . . . . ( Matthew 4:4, 7+10). Jesus will help us to overcome any temptation.
Hebrew 2:18 "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted".
Ephesians 6:18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for the Lord's people".
Pray and "Intercede" effectively (v18).
Paul writes about prayer. This is a secret weapon. He writes about the importance of communicating with God and allowing God to communicate with us. It is a two-way communication.
This is the third time Paul has written about prayer in his letter to the Ephesians. He previously asked for prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 and then again in Ephesians 3:14-21. So Paul mentions prayer at the beginning, middle, and end of his letter.
Paul writes that one of the main things he prays for and one of the main things the believers of Ephesus and other Christians should pray for is power.
Why power? Because believers are engaged in spiritual warfare, Prayer is what enables us to fight back against the enemy. Paul provided some important keys in this verse.
Pray - this is a secret weapon
in the Spirit - Holy Spirit will help us / Enemy will not understand
on all occasions - Literally means at every opportunity.
for all the Lord's People - carry fellow Christians in prayers.
Prayer is the secret weapon for believers. It is their communication with God. Prayer is the Christian form of messaging. It is how we receive messages from God, and send our messages to Him. Prayer is how we ask for help, make our needs known, and seek help for other people around us.
Be Alert and continue to pray for believers (v18).
Paul reminds us to be alert and to continue to pray for other believers. This is a part which we as believers neglect mostly. The most important part is to remain alert all the time.