Ephesians Study Chapter 6 - The Armor of God

Imitators of God! (Cont) (vs 1-9)

• Children obey your parents
  • They are Christians
• 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
      • In love not anger
    • 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