Introduction

·        When life is good, it's difficult to imagine that we are in a war zone.

·        Ephesians 6:10–12

·        We are engaged in spiritual battle, and without God's help we will lose.

·        1 John 4:4

·        The devil and his forces are at work and do not want you to do good.

·        James 4:7

When we put on the full armor of God, we can stand against the enemy's strategies.

·        Ephesians 6: 13–17

·        Each item of armor parallels a behavior we are to do in order to experience the fullness of God's strength.

·        Our enemy is strong, but our Savior is stronger.

Wearing the belt of truth, we can stand firm in truthfulness and sincerity of heart.

·        Ephesians 6:14

·        A soldier's belt protects the midsection and gives freedom of movement.

·        Illustration: May recounts a time when he got stuck between two church brothers in disagreement, but decided to remain honest.

·        A commitment to living truthfully protects us and gives us freedom.

Wearing the breastplate of righteousness, our personal holiness will be seen in doing good.

·        Good works paves the way for God's strength in our lives.

Wearing feet fitted with readiness, we can go and fight or serve the instant God opens an opportunity.

·        Put your shoes on and be ready.

Wearing the shield of faith, we are protected from anything the enemy throws at us.

Wearing the helmet of salvation means meditating on all God has done for us and has planned for us.

Wearing the sword of the Spirit, God gives us specific words to live by.

·        God gives us rhema, a saying or specific word from him when we need it.

·        Illustration: God givesMay a Bible verse to help him listen before he opens his mouth in a discussion.

·        The more we know what the Bible says, the more God can use it to give us the specific word we need for a particular situation.

Our greatest weapon in the battle is prayer.

·        Ephesians 6:18

·        Let's make prayer our first resort in the spiritual war.

·        James 4:7

Conclusion

·        We can only win the battle in God's strength.

·        We must choose to get dressed in his full armor.

·        We must pray on all occasions.

·        We can then stand our ground, and when the battle is over, we will remain standing.