Imitators of God! (Cont) (vs 1-9)
- Children obey your parents
- It’s the 5th commandment
- It is right
- Fathers (or parents)
- Don’t provoke them
- Don’t say one thing and mean another
- Blame and praise when appropriate
- Do what you say you will do
- Don’t do what you say you won’t do
- Don’t do anything that confuses the child
- Bring them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord
- Discipline them
- Be fair and consistent
- Instruct and encourage
- Christian masters (think boss or supervisor)
- Seek the servants’ (workers’) well being
- Don’t threaten
- Submit to the Lord
- Don’t play favorites
Armor of God (vs 10-24)
- The enemy is spiritual
- The devil - accuser
- Satan - adversary
- Satan’s helpers - demonic creatures that assist satan in his attacks.
- Satan’s abilities
- Powerful
- Crafty
- Strategic
- Cunning
- Our equipment
- Belt (girdle) of truth
- Held the other parts of the armor together
- Satan is a liar but truth will defeat him
- When a believer lies, everything falls apart. David is just one of many examples
- Breastplate of righteousness
- Covered from neck to waist back and front
- Symbolized the believer’s righteousness in Christ and righteous life
- Satan as accuser can’t accuse the believer living a godly life in the power of the Spirit.
- Shoes of the gospel
- Gospel gives us sure footing in battle
- Gives us peace with God and therefore not fear attack from man or Satan
- Satan declared war but with the Gospel we are to promote peace
- Shoes also prepare us to share the Gospel each day with those who haven’t heard.
- Provide beautiful feet (Isaiah 52:7)
- Shield of faith
- Shield protected from arrows, spears, and fiery darts.
- A trust in the promises and power of God
- Faith is a defensive tactic deflecting Satans fiery darts.
- Interlocked the soldiers could march toward the enemy like a wall
- Not in this alone
- Helmet of salvation
- Helmet protects the head (mind)
- Signifies when God controls the mind, satan can’t lead astray
- Bible study plays a huge role in a believer’s Christian growth, service, and victory over satan.
- Sword of the Spirit
- Only offensive weapon God provides
- A physical sword cuts the body
- The Word of God cuts the heart
- We were cut to the heart when the Word convicted us or our sins
- Satan tries to use the Word of God to confuse us but the more we study and understand the harder it is for Satan to confuse us.
- Jesus is the full armor of God
- We put on Jesus and we will always have the full protection from God.
Reference: Wiersbe Bible Commentary