Dressed to Kill

Text: Ephesians 6:10-20

POINT: These protections are available, but they are not automatic.

1. Your Weapons. Vs. 14-17

• The Belt of Truth. (v. 14a)

BELT = INTEGRITY

Truth is the essential centerpiece of the Christian’s armor.

• The Breastplate of Righteousness (v. 14b)

THE BREASTPLATE = HOLINESS & PURITY

Its purpose was to defend a soldier from arrows, spears, or swords thrust to the vital organs, especially the heart. Proverbs 4:23

• The Shoes of Peace (v. 15)

SHOES OF PEACE = TRANQUILITY

“Preparation”= Readiness. Romans 5:1

I have TRANQUILITY, PURITY, INTEGRITY. Satan trembles when a Christian has these things on

• The Shield of Faith. (v. 16)

SHIELD OF FAITH = SHIELD OF CERTAINTY

POINT: The Believer’s Shield is His Personal Confidence in Jesus.

Our “shield” against the devil’s attack is our faith that God will keep His promises, that He will be faithful to us.

• The Helmet of Salvation. (Vs.17a)

         HELMET = YOUR SANITY

The helmet of salvation covers your mind; it protects your thought life.

Salvation equips us with assurance.

We are to take “the helmet of salvation.” Romans 8:35-39

• The Sword of The Spirit. (Vs. 17b)

         SWORD OF THE SPIRIT= YOUR IDENTITY

POINT: You cannot be successful without God’s identity in your life.

• The word is a SPIRITUAL weapon.
• The word is a POWERFUL weapon.
• The word is a NECESSARY weapon.                        

I have CERTAINTY, SANITY, and IDENTITY. Satan trembles when a Christian has these things on.           

2. YOUR PRAYER WEAPON. Vs. 18-20

Putting on the “whole armor of God” is needed preparation for the battle. Exodus17:8-16; Daniel 10:10-15

• Spiritual Armor Requires CONTINUAL Prayer (v. 18a).

“Praying always” =we are to be in constant communication with God.

     Acts 2:42; Romans 12:12; Philemon 4:6; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Praying always“=taking everything to God in prayer. Colossians 3:2

“Praying always” =living now with a keen awareness of eternity. 2 Corinthians 10:5

• Spiritual Armor Requires VARIED Prayer (v. 18b).

We are to pray with “all prayer and supplication.”

NIV translates this “all kinds of prayers and requests.”

NCV renders “all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need.”

The Greek word for “prayer” refers to general requests.

The word for “supplication” refers to specific requests. 1 Timothy 2:8

• Spiritual Armor Requires SPIRIT-LED Prayer (v. 18c).

What is praying “In the Spirit?” “It is allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you as you pray.” Romans 8:26-27.

The Holy Spirit “intercedes” for us when we do not know what to pray. Psalms 46:10

There are two supernatural events that take place when we pray “in the Spirit.”

1. The Holy Spirit tells us what to pray.
2. The Holy Spirit energizes our prayers.

• Spiritual Armor Requires WATCHFUL Prayer (v. 18d).

Nehemiah won the victory by praying and watching. Nehemiah 4:9; Mark 13:33, Mark 14:38

• Spiritual Armor Requires PERSERVERING Prayer (v. 18e).

We are to pray “with all perseverance and supplication.” “Supplication” = [specific needs]

“With all perseverance” =[“Stick to it and not quit.”] Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2

“Prayer is not getting man’s will done in heaven; it is getting God’s will done on earth.”

To pray “with all perseverance” means to keep on praying until we have the answer or until we feel the release of the Holy Spirit.

• Spiritual Armor Requires INTERCESSORY Prayer (vs. 18f-20).

We are to intercede for all believers (v. 18e). Romans 15:30

We are to intercede for pastors and leaders (v.19 a).

We are to intercede for boldness (vs. 19b-20).

One of the priority prayers of the early church was for boldness. Acts 4:29,31