Hi.
Welcome to the fe2 Women’s Mentoring Network.
Welcome to the fe2 Women’s Mentoring Network.
Read Ephesians 6:10-18. According to verse 11, what are we to put on? Why? Are the verbs active or passive in this passage?
If we are to put on armor, then that means we are in a battle. With whom? Who is this devil? Read Ezekiel 28: 13-17. Why was this guardian cherub thrown out? (see verse 17).
Read Isaiah 14:12-15. The devil was an angel in the heavenly host who decided he wanted to be like God himself. What did he used to be called (vs. 12)? What five “I will” statements did he make in verses 13 and 14? How did his confident plan work out for him (vs. 15)?
If he was already punished and cast out to Sheol (Hebrew word for grave/hell), then why should we put on armor to be prepared for battle with him? Read 1 Peter 5:8-9. According to these verses, the battle is not yet over so you must be on guard against him. Does he have full control or limited power? Read Job 1:6-12.
If you are going to be on guard, you have to understand the enemy. The Greek word for devil is diabolos, meaning accuser or slanderer. The Hebrew word for Satan is just that, Satan, meaning adversary. Is he true to the character of his name? Read John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:14. What are some of those names you just read? (for additional names and descriptions, read Luke 11:15, 2 Corinthians 4:4 and Ephesians 2:2)
Sounds like an elusive enemy. And yet, the Bible clearly tells us from the beginning how Satan works. As you read Genesis 2:7-9, 16-17, 3:1-7, look for tactics used to deceive Eve. What were those tactics?
From the beginning, Satan has caused us to doubt God, question His authority and twist His words. He exchanged God’s Word for a lie.
As seen above in verses like John 8:44 and the Genesis passage, we know that Satan is a liar and deceiver. What lies have you believed about God? About others? About yourself?
Review the five “I will” statements again from Isaiah 14 above. Do those statements sound like anything you may have said? What seems to be at the root of those statements? Do you struggle with self-sufficiency or independence in any area of your life?
Describe some examples of how you have exchanged God’s Word for a lie. How well do you know God’s Word in order to even identify Satan’s lies?
Read I John 3:7-10. (Be careful to note that the practice of sin mentioned here is a prolonged practice of continual sin.) How important is obedience to a child of God?
The book of Ephesians helps lay out the importance of who we are in Christ as a child of God (chapters 1-3) and how we are to walk in a manner worthy of that calling as a child of God (chapters 4-6). If we are going to counteract the lies of the enemy, as a child of God we must “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” and we must “put on the whole armor of God, so that we may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
Let’s break it down by armor parts as described in Ephesians 6:12-18. The first 3 listed are essentials for battle. First is the belt of truth. To a Roman soldier, the belt was essential because it held all the pieces of the armor and attire together. Truth has the same function. It holds what is right and wrong in their proper places. Read John 17:14-17, and John 14:6.
Second is the breastplate of righteousness that protected the soldier’s vital organs. Read Ephesians 4:17-24. How does putting off the old self and putting on the new self protect us from the wounds of sin? Read Ephesians 4:27 and think about how it relates to shedding old self and putting on the new self. We must we continue to fight to be drawn towards righteousness and not corruption by not giving the devil an opportunity. What areas in your life protect right living? What areas in your life might keep you drawn towards culture that may harden your heart?
The third armor part listed are the shoes shod for peace. Read Ephesians 4:25-32. Which of the choices made in these verses leads to peace? See Ephesians 2:14 and 1 Corinthians 14:33. Do you want to have peace or be full of confusion?
The last 3 armor parts (shield, helmet, sword) are defensive weapons. The soldier’s shield was often dipped in water before battle to extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy (Ephesians 6:16). So, too, we need to take up the shield of faith to stop the devil’s lie darts attacking us. Again, we do that my knowing his tactics and understanding the enemy. Read 2 Corinthians 2:11
The helmet protects the head/mind and must be filled with truth darts. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. We need to take up the helmet of salvation to remind us that a battle rages in our minds and we must discern truths from lies.
This reference to sword is the smaller sword specific to hand-to-hand combat. So it is with the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”. When you take time to understand God’s word for specific truth darts and not just a general big book from Genesis-Revelation, it will help you fight the enemy better. Look at Jesus’ model of sword defense in Matthew 4:1-11.
Putting on the armor of God is not all preparation and defense. It is also an offense. Read Ephesians 6:18-20. What is the offensive tactic used? What kind of intercessory prayer can you do to help fight off the fiery darts of the evil one now that you better understand his tactics?
And what can you do daily to get to know God’s Word more personally and specifically so you can wield the sword of the Spirit when needed? Read Psalm 119:9-11 and Hebrews 5:12-14. It’s time to suit up and “be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might”.
Suggested Reading: Lord, is it Warfare? Teach Me to Stand by Kay Arthur or additional fe2 Conversation Starters on The Mind of Christ or Spiritual Anorexia or Who am I or Prayer.