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Grand Canyon University *
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430
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Religion
Date
Apr 3, 2024
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docx
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Today it is evident that the world is full of turmoil and many wars are erupting in other countries like Russia and Ukraine. This war has been going on for a long time and has yet to reach a resolution between the two countries. This battle is visible to all the soldiers involved but what if one side could not
see their enemy? What if they were gearing up to battle an invisible enemy? Christians are in that kind of
battle, a battle against an unseen enemy. They are a part of God’s army of light and have access to pieces
of His armor to help fight against this invisible enemy. The apostle Paul illuminates the spiritual battle Christians face every day. Because we fight not against physical opponents but rather against authorities,
cosmic powers over this current darkness, and spiritual forces of evil in the upper realms, we are not fighting against flesh and blood (The Holy Bible English Standard Version, Ephesians 6:12). Together, we will discover the profound influence of these passages and come to understand that the armor of God is a practical tool for overcoming the challenges of contemporary life rather than a theoretical idea.
[Main Point of the Text Statement] In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul urged believers to engage in spiritual warfare by wearing God's armor, emphasizing the importance of each piece to withstand enemy schemes and maintain their faith. To face life's obstacles with steadfast confidence and win spiritual conflicts, believers today must remember to put on the whole armor of God which consists of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the power of the spirit. 1.
Understanding the Battlefield (Ephesians 6:10-12)
[Explanation]
Paul calls believers to be strong in the Lord and their struggle is not against flesh in blood. These are unseen forces full of darkness and spiritual wickedness and it is significant to
understand the enemy.
Belt of truth- Establishing the importance of a firm foundation in God’s truth can be illustrated by putting on the belt of truth. Christians battle bad habits and evil in their lives. Because of this, believers must wear the truth as their badge and refrain from distancing themselves from Christ's duty in the army. offers stability, integrity, and a solid foundation for the Christian's journey.
breastplate of righteousness- The encouragement to live a righteous life through Jesus, exploring the role of righteousness through His teachings. This spiritual armor protects a believer's heart from the enemy's charges and assaults by acting as a protective shield. It highlights how vital it is
to live in accordance with God's moral requirements and to rely on the righteousness that has been imputed through faith in Christ in order to maintain the essential elements of a believer's spiritual identity.
wearing shoes of the gospel of peace- In order to enable believers to stand firm and walk boldly in the peace that comes from trust in Christ, these shoes stand for a dedication to sharing the good news of salvation and reconciliation with God.
shield of faith- Take up the shield of faith in all situations so that you can put out all of the wicked one's fiery darts (The Holy Bible English Standard Version, Ephesians 6:16). Firm faith in spiritual promises is crucial for defending against enemy attacks. It acts as a barrier against uncertainty and opposition, symbolizing the believer's faith in God's faithfulness. Trusting in His promises of strength and protection is essential in spiritual warfare.
helmet of salvation- The spiritual helmet provides believers with peace of mind, assuring them of their salvation through faith. It serves as a defense against attacks on identity in Christ, protecting their thoughts and warding off attempts to sow doubt or misunderstanding about their relationship with God.
sword of the spirit- the sword of the spirit recognizes the power of God’s Word as a weapon against the enemy. Christians use the spiritual sword of the spirit, highlighting the power of God's Word in vanquishing obstacles and overcoming deception. This sword of the spirit empowers Christians to overcome deception, temptation, and hostile resistance, providing strength and assurance in their faith.
Important to pray- Seeking God’s guidance and strength through prayer is beneficial for serving in His army and helping believers stay strong during enemy attacks. According to Aldred (2000), an illustration of the power of prayer is one time a fragile child named Samuel was very sick and his mother comforted him that God would hear this prayer to heal him. Since then, the prayer's impact has been demonstrated by this bold yet faith-based declaration. Samuel has
matured into a strong young man who exemplifies the power of prayer in the face of tribulation.
Verse 18 emphasizes the importance of prayer in this spiritual battle. The phrase “pray in the Spirit” suggests that the believers should pray with a connection to and dependence on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Other forms of prayer- Psalm 95:1-2 where encouragement of songs of praise are used to show glory to God. This can be identified as a type of prayer where praise is the main focus rather than coming to God with desires and problems.
Conclusion- Believers today need to remember to put on the armor of God, which includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and to keep praying for themselves and others to face life's challenges with unwavering confidence and win spiritual battles. It is my prayer that all believers will have that desire to change their lifestyle and join God’s army to fight in this spiritual battle. Working together and utilizing all the components of God’s armor to protect us from the enemy’s attacks.
Will you all join this battle? Dedicating your life to serve in God’s army of light?
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