The Christian is called into a spiritual battle.
● We are reminded of the truth of the spiritual battle in Ephesians 6:10-13
● Christian doesn’t fight for ultimate victory; we fight from ultimate victory. See Ephesians
1:19-23.
● And yet, though the final victory is won, we are called to fight for ourselves and others.
The Christian is called to not…”give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27
● To not allow Satan to have a foothold, or a place for advancement in the Christian’s life.
● That is why understanding about the spiritual armor of God is so important.
I. Truth V. 14a
A. The Roman Soldier’s Girdle
1. The girdle or belt was that first piece of battle wear to be put on.
2. This was a very important piece to the Roman Soldier’s armor. The Roman soldier put around his waist a very wide belt which was the holder for a lot of equipment. There was a loop, for example, for the different swords. Other loops held ropes and a rations sack. When the legions conquered a city, the soldiers would empty out the ration sack to make room for gold, jewelry, and other loot they picked up. There were loops on the belt for darts. The belt was tied in several places to stay in place, so that no matter how the soldier moved about, fell down, climbed hills, etc., the belt was always in place with weapons at the ready. If the belt were not on straight, then everything would be out of place for the soldier. This would cut down his efficiency in battle and may even cost him his life.
B. Satan’s Attack On Truth
1. John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, & you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar & the father of lies.
2. What does Satan lie about?
a. The person of Jesus Christ: His divinity, His humanity, His substitutionary sacrifice.
b. The truth of God’s word. Many churches/pastors, deny & minimize God’s Word.
c. Satan will use parts of scripture to distort the truth of scripture. (Matthew 4:1-11)
d. Satan lies through politicians, through unsaved pastors, through celebrities; through anyone that can gain influence over a culture. Any ungodly voice that can influence.
e. Satan may lie through true Christians who have compromised areas of their lives.
f. Satan lies about what will fulfill a person’s life (materialism, relationships, etc.)
g. Satan lies about “all paths leading to God”, or that “there is no God”.
h. Satan customizes his lies to whatever a person wants to hear and believe.
i. Satan is a liar who acts like a chameleon. Changing color to blend in & not be noticed.
j. Satan offers “another gospel”. See Galatians 1:3-9; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
k. Satan encourages lying, for that is his native language.
C. The Christian’s Girdle Of Truth
1. The Roman soldier’s girdle held everything in place, and in its proper position.
2. The Roman soldier’s girdle made everything easily accessible, and useful.
3. Truth in all areas of life must be the overall encompassing aspect of our lives.
4. The Christian must know truth.
a. Truth about Jesus, the Bible, holiness, sin, Heaven & Hell, about self, temptation.
b. A soldier with good intentions but ignorant of his enemy, ignorant & unprepared re. his weapons, and ignorant of the battle plan is not ready for battle.
c. It is not just good intentions & commitment to a cause that are needed by a soldier.
d. He/she must be prepared for battle, or else they will be a well-intentioned casualty.
5. The Soldier/Christian must walk in the truth that they know.
a. A soldier may be well taught about battle strategy. He may understand how the weapons work. He may understand the Enemy’s tactics, but he may become lazy, selfish, unwilling to help others.
b. He begins to lie because he is self-focused. He has full knowledge, but a wrong heart.
c. The Christian needs to walk in truth in our relationships, in our business dealings, in our marriages, at work and in the home. Not enough to “know” about the battle.
d. Many Christians know truth but refuse to walk in truth.
e. They cause & become casualties in battle. Not because of ignorance, but unwillingness.
6. John 8:31, 32 “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32And you shall know the truth, & the truth shall make you free.” (Both knowing & abiding in truth)
II. Righteousness V. 14b
A. The Roman Soldier’s Breastplate
1. The Romans had the ideas for armor design which provided light weight combined with ease of movement and protection from blows. This breastplate was attached to the belt by leather thongs passed through rings on the bottom to keep it solidly attached. It was anchored to the belt, and it was above the belt. Note: the belt had to be put on first, then the breastplate.
2. The breastplate protected all the vital organs.
3. Symbolically, the heart and innermost parts from where the affections come forth.
4. The breastplate symbolically protects the emotions of the Christian.
B. Satan Attacks The Christian’s Righteousness
1. The Christian walks both in imputed righteousness, and imparted righteousness.
2. Imputed righteousness– that righteousness which is given (imputed) to the Christian when one confesses their sins to God, and asks forgiveness, and is “granted” a right standing before God.
a. Man in his natural state is guilty before God, and not righteous. (Romans 3:10)
b. Imputed righteousness is the result of faith in Christ. (Romans 3:10-25)
3. Imparted righteousness– That rightness with God that comes from the Christian walking under the influence of the Holy Spirit, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
a. The Christian surrendering to the Holy Spirit, and allowing the Spirit of God to inspire them, and empower them to live in a holy fashion.
b. Walking in righteousness & determining to do right towards God & others.
c. Understanding that we can walk in righteousness by the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-26)
4. Satan attacks the imputed and the imparted righteousness of the Christian.
a. As The Accuser (Revelation 12:10), he accuses the Christian re. imputed righteousness, reminding them of their sins, trying to bring doubt about God’s love & forgiveness. He tries to separate the Christian from God by accusation.
b. As The Tempter (Matthew 4:3), he seeks to derail the Christian in their imparted righteousness by tempting them to sin. If they do sin, he then accuses.
Discouragement from actual sin, followed by doubt about God’s love because of sin.
C. The Christian’s Breastplate Of Righteousness
1. The Christian must protect himself on two levels regarding righteousness.
a. He must thoroughly understand the gospel and salvation by faith.
b. He must put forth every effort to walk in practical, daily righteousness.
2. When the Christian falters (and we do) in walking in righteousness, we need to return to the truths of Galatians 5, realizing that we can experience practical righteousness.
3. When we fail regarding imparted righteousness, we must retreat back into the truth of imputed righteousness. We are not saved by works, but by faith.
4. Knowing this breastplate of imputed/imparted righteousness will protect us.