Bible Study Notes:

Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from Heaven above, In wisdom, power and love, our God is an awesome God!

Father God we just lift up praises to you tonight for your awesome works towards us! We are thankful because you daily load us with blessings! We thank you for your gift of repentance and salvation. We declare that you are changing us from the inside out, to make us like Jesus. Jesus, we confess that we are crucified with you on the cross, dead to sin and worldliness, but alive to Christ! In union with you Jesus, we come against all the forces of wickedness and stand in your victory!

satan we come against you in the Name of Jesus, we bind you and rebuke you and cast you out of this room tonight! satan we bind you before, during and after the lessons and declare all of your plans null and void in the mighty name above all names, Jesus Christ the righteous, Son of the Living God!

Holy Spirit we invite you as our teacher, counselor, comforter and friend. Make the Word real to us all we pray. In Jesus Name! Anoint your servants as we break forth the bread of life, and anoint the hearers to receive the Word with gladness. AMEN

Thank You Lord, for the Bible study chat venue that You have provided for us here. Father, thank you for brother James and this ministry. Lord I thank You in the Name of Jesus. AMEN

Last time we spoke about preparing your heart for war. We looked at some of the things that inwardly will cause us to be defeated if we do not ask God to remove them from our hearts. What were some of the things that we talked about that will cause us to be defeated?

Alma - distrust, guilt
Savior's Servant - the devil's schemes
prodigal son - Guilt, distrust, anger, pride in oneself
Savior's Servant - our fleshly desires

Fight and take hold are action words! No where in the Bible does it tell us to be unresisting of evil or passive in thought or deed. As Jesse Penn-Lewis says: The manifestation of the " life of Jesus" in you is not just in the Lamb spirit, in sweetness and submissiveness-which must be manifested to the human instrument of your testing; there must also be the "Lion spirit" toward the powers of darkness, for this means victory over satan."

Now satan walks about LIKE a lion, but Jesus IS the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and in spiritual warfare, we are lions too! Tonight we want to talk about our spiritual armor, what it is, how we put it on, and what we do with it.

OlePappy - Be submissive to Jesus, but take no guff from satan....kick some satan

It's very important that we see spiritual warfare in the book of Ephesians in context. In the first part of the book of Ephesians we are told about Jesus and how he won our salvation for us and how God has exalted him, setting him on the throne far above all principalities and powers. He has also raised us up with him in heavenly places and as we face our circumstances in life, we see that the principalities and powers, the problems and circumstances are under our feet as well. Physically sometimes it seems that bad circumstances are in control, Spiritually our problems are UNDER OUR FEET!

Then Paul talks about our duties as Christians. To be pleasing to God we need to consciously put off the old self with its deceitful desires, and put on the new self, created in Christ Jesus to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. We must "begin walking it out" in our daily lives.

Paul goes into some detail about being filled with the Spirit and the enablement that the Spirit brings. Being filled with the Spirit is reflected in speaking, singing, making melody, giving thanks, and submitting to one another.

We spent some time talking about proper relationships in the church, in the family and in the workplace. If you missed any of these topics, the notes are posted on my web site.

It is very important then, when preparing for war, to be sure that we see ourselves seated in heavenly places with Christ, that we are striving to put off the old self and put on the new self, that we are filled with the Spirit, and finally, that we are in right relationship with each other. Failure in preparing for war will open our lives to potential defeat. For example, if we fail to see ourselves seated in heavenly places with the evil powers UNDER OUR FEET, we are defeated before we even begin. Why would failure to prepare in any of these areas defeat us?

Alma - Failure to prepare in any of these areas gives satan a foothold.

What happens if you don't put off the old self, with its deceitful desires and acts, such as lying or a foul mouth?

prodigal son - If we are not in the right relation ship with each other we are divided and can not fight effectively
Alma - Who will be able to recognize you as Christian in your old self. satan has lots of doorways...keep em all shut and locked through the power of Jesus Christ

How about if we are not filled with the Spirit? Why is being filled with the Spirit important?

prodigal son - Not being filled with the spirit we cant follow the direction of our ruler - the spirit guides us to the will of God

Here we see that once we put on armor, and note that it says full armor, our job is to stand our ground. Jesus has already won the victory, all we have to do is keep the territory he has won for us.

Rebecca Brown, MD, author of "Prepare for War" says: "Standing still in one spot, going neither forwards nor backwards, is the hardest task of all. We humans think that we must always be moving, always progressing. It is so hard for us to understand God's way of thinking. Many times, simply standing still, holding the ground we have already won, is most important… We must realize that many victories are won in the spiritual world which we will never see. When you have done everything you know to do, simply take up the armor of God and stand."

"Full armor" in Greek is panoplia {pan-op-lee'-ah} meaning full armor, complete armor, including shield, sword, lance, helmet, greaves, and breastplate. From this we get our English word "panoply" which means a complete suit of armor, any complete covering or magnificent array. Nothing is lacking in our complete and magnificent armor that we need for our defense or offense.

OlePappy - The best defense is a strong offense

What do you think "when the day of evil comes" means?

prodigal son - When the tribulation starts
Savior's Servant - OT-When satan tries to attack us

Well, one meaning could be that Great Tribulation that will come upon the earth. However, In a fuller sense, it means to be prepared when, not IF, satan attacks us. The only way that we will be able to stand our ground is to put on God's armor. If we try to wear anything else we will not be protected.

According to William Gurnall "It is not left to everyone's fancy to bring whatever weapons he pleases; this would only breed chaos. . . Look closely at the label to see whether the armor You wear is the workmanship of God or not. There are many imitations rule on the market nowadays. . . Do not dare to call anything the armor of God which does not glorify him and defend You against the power of satan!"

What are some imitations of the armor of God in our world today? In other words, what are some of the things that people depend on for protection, OTHER than God's armor?

Savior's Servant - Money
OlePappy - Other people
Alma - good works

Right SS! Some people think that money in the bank, stocks, bonds, cds, will protect them from failure and trouble. NOT! Right OP, we need to trust in God, not man. Yes Alma, many trust some form of good works for their salvation/protection.

But nothing can protect you from the devil but God's armor! Paul had in mind the fully armed Roman soldier. Since Paul spent many years in prison he was fully aware of the armor that soldiers wore, and what each piece meant. Perhaps Paul also admired the soldier's courage, endurance, and training.

Another thing that would have been evident to Paul was the fact of the soldiers interdependence on one another, and their ability to work closely as a team. In fact, their very life often depended on the fact that they were able to work in total trust together as a unit.

OlePappy - To fight you first need to have protection from the enemies blows and attacks, you also need a weapon with which to fight

What is our armor made of? What is the material it's made of?

Romans 13:12 says "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." Our armor is made of light, the glorious light of the son of God.

When we have on God's armor the devil cannot see us, all he sees is the brilliance of Jesus Christ. In its blinding light he cannot approach us to make us lose ground. However, if we are clothed with the deeds of darkness, we identify ourselves with the night and the devil can have his will with us.

Try to picture in your mind a soldier with armor that protects him against the enemy. God has given us protection, and our armor is made of His light.

The first piece of armor that is mentioned is the belt of truth . The belt or girdle that Paul refers to was a wide metal or leather belt worn by a soldier around his lower trunk to hold his armor tightly against his body and support his sword. It was also used to carry money and other valuables.

Satan sends false teachers that sow error. He first assaulted the truth in the Garden of Eden where he asked Eve, "Did God really say. . . ?" (Genesis 3:1). Since Eve did not have the belt of truth securely buckled, she began to doubt what God had said.

Savior's Servant - so the truth is referring to Jesus and not us telling the truth?

Both SS, the truth is in Jesus, the truth is in His Word, and as Jesus servants, we always speak truth.

The Breastplate of Righteous protects the heart. First of all, we put on Jesus, who is our Righteousness, but this also indicates our active obedience to the Word of God. Righteousness means "right standing with God" - our sins have been forgiven, we are clean inside and dedicated to Him. This protects the heart from worshipping idols or false gods.

The breastplate of righteousness is equivalent to today's bullet proof vest which protects the heart and other vital organs of the soldier. It is held in place by the belt of truth. Righteousness means to be in right standing with God. One of satan's goals is to try to get us out of right standing with God and tempts us to compromise our standards of morality.

William Gurnall said: "Head knowledge of the things of Christ is not enough; this following Christ is primarily a matter of heart. . . If you are a serious soldier, do not flirt with any of your desires that are beneath Christ and heaven. They will play the harlot and steal your heart. . . Your holiness is what the devil wants to steal from You. . . He will allow a man to have anything, or be anything, rather than be truly and powerfully holy. "

It is crucial that the Christian protect their heart against anything that might steal God's affection and proper place. Just as the armor's breastplate protects the physical heart, the righteousness of Christ guards our hearts and minds and preserves us blameless until his coming.

The enemy will try to get You to the compromise to please men, and he knows where you are vulnerable to attack. However, he will make it seem very logical and you will be able to justify it in your own mind, if you don't seek God's will In his Word.

Ephesians 6:14-15 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.

Boots of the preparation of the gospel of peace involves a faithful ministry heralding the World of God; also, peace of mind from depending on the promises of God, to give us a sure footing against anxiety, worry and tension.

In Paul's day shoes weren't worn indoors and still aren't in Eastern countries. To put on your shoes indicated you were going outside the protection of the House. The soldier's shoes protected his feet, were made of very strong leather, and sometimes were fitted with metal cleats to make him more sure footed in combat.

yea - all his promises are yes and Amen "yea"

OK, you DO wear God's armor on your spiritual man - the inside person that is born again in Jesus - and you wear it by faith.

Gurnall says: "The peace the gospel brings to the heart makes a saint ready to wade through any trouble that might meet him in his Christian course. . . Only Christ can make a shoe fit the Christian's foot so he can easily walk a hard path, because he lines it with the peace of the gospel. "

OlePappy - Faith...that which binds us to God

The Shield of Faith is a covering for the whole body, and symbolizes our complete safety under the blood of Calvary. There no power of the enemy that can penetrate it when we steadfastly hold up our faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.

Z - yes!! raise that shield of faith!!

In Roman times, the large rectangular shield (approx. 2' X 4') protected the soldier's entire body. It was made from several thicknesses of bullhide, which were stretched over a frame of wood and sometimes strengthened and ornamented with metal rims and pieces of metal.

Rubbing with oil prevented the leather from drying out and cracking, and prevented the metal from rusting. In times of battle, this oiling, or "anointing" was especially necessary and so anointing the shield was equivalent to preparing for war. Soldiers commonly anointed their shields will oil so that they would reflect the sun's rays and blind the enemy, and also a deflect his blows. Oil in the Bible is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. How do you oil your shield of faith?

Z - with the Word!! praying in the Spirit
Alma - with prayer

Amen, with the Word, prayer and walking in the Spirit, they all strengthen our faith, keep it from "drying out" and becoming weak.

According to this Scripture, what pleases God?

Alma - earnestly seeking him
Savior's Servant - faith

Right, faith is what pleases God! And to have faith, you must first believe that He exists, else why would you seek him? Notice that it says "earnestly" seek God! Not half-hearted, not when you don't have anything better to do, but earnestly, persistently, continually and He will reward you!

You use the shield of faith to deflect the fiery darts of the wicked one. The darts used in ancient warfare were hollow reeds filled with a combustible material, which were set on fire and shot from bows. They were used In attacking walled cities because they could be shot over the walls, striking the highly combustible thatched roofs of the houses. Faith means believing that God is who he says he is and that he will do what he said he will do, and quenches the flaming missiles that satan throws against it.

What are some of the flaming missiles or fiery darts or burning arrows that satan throws at us? What are things that happen to you that hurt like burning arrows?

prodigal son - Anything he can that will make us doubt
OlePappy - temptation, lies
Z - rejection
prodigal son - When I don't do what is pleasing to God
Alma - Doubting my own self worth

Isn't that scary, that our tongues, what we say, can be set on fire by hell? By the devil himself! Lord, set a watch over our lips, we pray. May we bless and not curse, and be silent rather than to hurt!

But the GOOD news is that our shield of faith can quench or put out ALL those fiery darts. If we would filter what happens to us through our faith, then satan couldn't wound us so easily. INSTEAD, we let down our shield, throw away our defenses, and get offended and hurt and let the devil use it to tear us up and hurt others in return.

prodigal son - Reminds me of something my boss said. Every one knows how to be silent few know when

The Helmet of Salvation: the hope of salvation is the only helmet that is able to protect the mind in these days of turning from the truth. What is salvation?

prodigal son - Salvation is the assurance of Gods presence within us

Salvation is also deliverance from the evil one, forgiveness of sins, healing for body, mind and spirit, all bought with Jesus' death on the cross. Salvation also brings the promise of eternal life. How does this protect your head and mind from attack?

prodigal son - Because you are focusing on The Lord and his word instead of worldly things

The helmet protects the head from deadly wounds. If your mind is unprotected, the devil will fill it with deception, doubt, fear and even thoughts of death. If you are not protected with a helmet of salvation, the devil will destroy you.

Alma - Well, what can others offer that can compare with what God through Christ has given us.

Right alma, our knowledge of salvation, of what Jesus has done for us, especially being delivered from the kingdom of darkness, protects our minds against doubt, fear, etc.

The mind is the battlefield in this spiritual warfare. This is where satan does his dirtiest work. His most common tactic is to project thoughts into your mind using "I" statements, which You then interpret as being your own thoughts. An example would be, "I am not feeling well today". You felt perfectly fine before this thought came into your mind, but after thinking that, You suddenly began to feel ill. And you open up the door for satan to be able to lay illness upon You.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Paul says, "Let us be self controlled, putting on. . .The hope of salvation as a helmet".

This hope protects the believer from the satanic attacks on his mind. To deal with such an attack we must learn to distinguish the voice of the enemy from God's voice. God will speak words of love, comfort, conviction, and guidance. The enemy speaks words of fear, accusation, and condemnation.

Dean Sherman states that: "Every military post has guards. They stand quietly at their posts until they hear a rustling in the bushes. Then they immediately ask: "Who goes there?" And are prepared to evict any intruder. We to need to post a guard at the gate of our minds to check the credentials of every thought and every imagination, ready to cast down that which is not true, not righteous, or not of God. If it doesn't belong, out it goes. This is spiritual warfare: be alert to every thought. "

Salvation is more than just being saved from our sins, it includes redemption from the kingdom of darkness, deliverance into the kingdom of light, adoption as sons, and health and healing for the whole person. With this secure knowledge of God's love, care, and provision for us, we will be protected from all the "Mind games" of the devil. Because of our salvation, we have been delivered from the dominion and power of sin, satan and our flesh.

The sword is used not only as a defensive weapon, but also to attack offensively. We use the word as a defensive weapon when we defend ourselves against attacks of satan by quoting the Bible. We use it offensively when we make the Scriptures a matter of prayer and confession on behalf of ourselves or others.

prodigal son - OT how do we set this "guard"?

First of all, keep on reading, meditating and memorizing the Word. That is what you measure your thoughts by - what the Word says is true. Then watch what you allow to enter your mind - through TV, movies, radio, newspapers, other books, music, etc.

Then when a thought occurs, examine it. Ask, did the Lord send me this? If contrary to the Word, then the answer is NO. Even if the thought is an "I" statement, such as, "I'm worried about so and so", that doesn't mean it's YOURS. The devil is able somehow to beam thoughts into our minds. If it's not from the Lord, speak out loud, "satan I refuse that thought in Jesus Name".

prodigal son - By surrounding yourself with what is holy?

And the third step is to replace negative thoughts with positive ones - like the Bible says, whatever is good, holy, just, peaceful, etc.

Z - Lord , Thank You for Your Word!

Also by associating and fellowshipping with other Christians, we involve our minds in holy things. Thought control is not politically correct right now, but for the Christian in this battle it is essential.

I had some bad dreams last night, and woke up all out of sorts. Then I thought, where did that mess come from? Not the Lord! So I spoke out loud, "satan I refuse those dreams in Jesus Name" and didn't think about them again until just now. And I don't remember what they were either!

Realize that this is not a one-time deal, it's an on-going process, OK? And part of the answer too lies in finding specific scriptures about problem areas and memorizing and meditation on them when the need arises.

And don't let satan use this area to defeat you. If you fail, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep on going. Another point is to live in the NOW. The past is forgiven, let it go. The future is coming, but is in God's hands. Make the most of each moment for the Lord. "Redeeming the time, for the days are evil".

Arthur Matthews says: "If we accept the fact that our role in life is that of soldiers, then we must drop our toys and become more acquainted with the weapons of our warfare. In a conflict situation a soldier's best friend is his weapon, because it is his one resource for disposing of the enemy, securing his own safety, and accomplishing the will of his captain. "

Get to know your weapons! Tonight we're talking about the sword of the spirit. But next time we will discuss prayer and other spiritual weapons in our arsenal.

So we've talked about our armor of light, God's armor, provided for our defense against the enemy - satan - and for offensive measures into the enemy's camp! We've talked about the belt of Truth, the breastplate of Righteousness, the shoes of Peace, the helmet of Salvation, the shield of Faith and the sword of the Word. Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Salvation, Faith, the Word - who do these words describe?

Jesus said, I AM the truth, the way and the life! Jesus is our Righteousness! Jesus has brought us salvation! Our faith is in Him. He is the Word! When we wear God's armor we are wrapped up in Jesus!

How long do we need to wear our armor and how often do we need to put it on?

Alma - We should always wear our armor.

Right alma. As long as we're on this earth we need to clothe ourselves daily with the armor of God. But once we enter the gates of heaven we can say along with William Gurnall "Armor was for earth but robes are for heaven".