ARMOR WEAR
Ephesians 6:10-18
(The Protection and Provision Provided by God for Spiritual Warfare)
David J. Clayton, Sr.
ARMOR WEAR
Copyright ©2008 by David J. Clayton, Sr.
LULU Publishing
Lulu Enterprises, Inc.
3131 RDU Center, Suite 210
Morrisville, NC 27560
All rights reserved. Written permission required to reproduce any portion of this book. Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures quotations are the New International Version © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society.
David Clayton, Sr.
David Clayton, Sr. was born in Paris, Tennessee. His parents (James Dave and Betty Clayton) involvement in full time ministry meant that as a“P.K.” (Preachers Kid) he lived in many places but primarily spent his childhood in Chicago, Illinois.
He received his B.A. in History from Lipscomb University, did graduate work in theological studies at Harding Graduate School and Vanderbilt Divinity School, earned a Masters in Biblical Studies from Bethany Seminary (1991), and a Masters in Liberal Studies from Fort Hays State University (2006). He is an adjunct history and political science teacher at the college level.
David and Sharon were married in 1976 and have three children, David Jr. (married to Sydney), a daughter Sarah, and another son, Chase.
David served as a song leader and youth minister in Nashville, Tennessee before becoming a pulpit minister. He has served as pulpit minister for congregations in Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Carolina. David and Sharon at the time of this publication have been with the Summerville Church of Christ, located outside of Charleston, South Carolina, since March 1996.
David has written articles for several publications, wrote portions of the Gospel of Matthew and Book of Isaiah commentary published by Landmark Publications. (1988, 1991) and the author the The DaVinci Myth (2005).
INTRODUCTION
Multiple surveys of Americans indicate a belief that people are capable of doing evil but most do not believe in the reality of a devil or hell. That is like saying that you know tigers exist in the world because you have seen pictures and movies about them but since they do not exist in your neighborhood they are not real to you. I am convinced that spiritual warfare to the modern mind has become more like watching a “Star Wars” or “Lord of the Ring” movie or some scary movie released around Halloween.
While there is recognition that we sometimes do bad things and there are monsters walking in our midst as humans who do horrible things, for the most part we do not view ourselves as being part of the spiritual warfare. A prominent entertainer asked about his views on evil in this world replied:
I choose to believe that the Universe is a benevolent place and that things happen for a reason. I choose to believe it, however, because it makes me happy, and it certainly doesn't hurt me or anyone else. That tells me that we can choose what we believe, and somehow, the Universe will make it true for us. While believing in the existence of evil, demons, etc., may be "right," creating an evil-free personal reality is wiser.
(E.T. Interview, 2003, John Travolta)
Even in Christianity, there is a rising tide of followers believing in the rewards and reality of heaven but denying the reality of an eternal hell. A mantra frequently is, “How can a loving God assign people to an eternal hell?” Those sorts of questions sound similar to the one who said they would rather think of the universe as a happy place that is evil free. Count me in!
However, wanting it to be that way and the way it really is are not always the same. I would love to think that I could eat all my favorite calorie rich, deep fried foods and it will not affect my health. I feel happier when I eat those foods but I am not healthy. You may be happier to think that there is not a devil or hell in your world but that is just as foolish as the one who believes tigers don’t exist because he can’t see them on Main Street in his/her town.
There is a Satan. He is alive and well on planet work. He is actively destroying the work of Jesus Christ wherever possible. We are going to focus in this series on spiritual warfare. The purpose is to get us to stand for the things we claim to believe. Using Ephesians 6:10-19 as a springboard, we will explore how God prepares us for spiritual battle. If you leave this series with a greater awareness of the reality of Satan, a firmer conviction that you can overcome sin, and a better understanding of the armor that God has provided for you, and then I can say to you as soldier of God training accomplished- go and do battle for the Lord.
David J. Clayton, Sr.
Ephesians 6:10 -18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted for the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1: I’m Still Standing
Chapter 2: 18% Grey
Chapter 3: Watch Your Step
Chapter 4: “Keeping it real man, keeping it real.”
Chapter 5: 15 Yard Penalty for Removing Helmet
Chapter 6: I’m not the man I use to be.
Chapter 7: All
99
1
I’m Still Standing
.. did you think this fool could never win?
Well look at me, I'm coming back again…
Don't you know I'm still standing better
than I ever did?
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid...
I'm still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life…
I'm still standing yeah yeah yeah
I'm still standing yeah yeah yeah.
(Music by Elton John: Lyrics by Bernie Taupin from “Too Low For Zero.”)
You don’t often get to use portions of an Elton John song to make a spiritual point. This is one of those rare opportunities. After reading Ephesians 6:10-18 about the importance of remaining standing at the end of spiritual conflicts I found myself singing the song above. I know I should have been singing something like “The Battle Belongs to the Lord,” or “Standing on the Promises,” but my heart I was singing, “I’m still standing.” The song is about a person after having gone through a painful breakup realizing that he as hurtful as it was that he has moved on. He has done more than just survived the pain but is stronger and standing.
Ephesians 6:13
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
You have the capability of standing. We are often prone to think we are unable to stand up against the temptation of sins- particularly the ones that keep repeatedly tripping us up. Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, it is evident from Paul that you can be victorious. We have the mighty power of God and an armor provided by Him.
You can be strong in the Lord. You can put on the armor of God. You can stand your ground. It is not a magical armor but it is a mighty one. It is not that you put on this armor of God and magically you transform into one mean fighting machine. Soldiers are trained to wear and use their gear and spiritually so are we. If you’re willing, God provides the equipment and the training.
OUR ENEMY (12-13)
Ephesians 6:12-13
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
STRUCTURE
Paul leaves no room for doubt regarding the reality of Satan. Notice his organizational structure. He possesses not only tremendous power but also commands an effective organized evil army of angels. Satan has wicked spirits controlled by evil princes who control this world, who in turn answer to Evil rulers. Have you ever thought about that before? There is a devilish hierarchical (or low-archy) structure. Read Revelation 12, Jude 9, and Daniel 10:7-12 for a further description of his structural organization.
STRATEGIES
Have you ever hear the phrase, “the devil is up to his old tricks?”
Ephesians 6:11
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
The eleventh verse, reveals we battle against the devils tricks. The older term was the “wiles “of the devil. I once heard a sermon where the preacher kept referring to the “willies” of the devil. I did everything I could to keep from laughing aloud. Anyone who has ever heard me preach knows that I have had several bloopers so I can laugh with empathy at another preacher who makes the Hall of Fame bloopers list.
The wiles of the devil are more than tricks but organized schemes, strategies and plans of warfare. Satan attacks lives and causes that would defeat his plan. That is why as a Christian you experience the effect of his presence. He doesn’t go after those who belong to him as much as he goes after those who oppose him.
2 Corinthians 2:11
11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Don’t be ignorant or indifferent about his schemes or devices. Both attitudes are dangerous. If we are ignorant or indifferent to his devices and trickery, we play right into his strategy.
His chief objective is to devour your testimony and to tear apart your influence for Jesus Christ. He seeks every advantage he can get in your life to rip your life apart.
It is heartbreaking to have your testimony, relationships, character, and example torn apart by the vicious attack of the devil.
Satan delights every time it happens. If he can sow discord into your family and cause it to break apart, he sits back and smiles. If he can get us to be ungodly and divisive and spread rumors and say hateful about each other he delights in his work.
Like a prowling lion, he viciously attacks the Christian, the home, and the church- to tear it apart. Moreover, he is doing his job better than he has ever done it. That is why God has provided for us the equipment necessary to protect us.
STANDING
Ephesians 6:13
So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.
Armor is for warfare. There is no middle ground or area of neutrality in this warfare. Good and evil are irreconcilable, opposed to each other. Your attitude toward sin should be no negotiation, no surrender, and no compromise. You are a warrior for God. When you look at the insanity of sin, the sickness of sin, the darkness of sin, the destruction of sin to the individual, family, society and church you begin to see that you have no choice but to fight the good fight of faith.
Don’t lose the sense that you are in warfare. You don’t have to live a defeated life. Most people I know don’t want to live this way and you don’t have to because God has provided the armor to wear. You must put it on everyday. Workout clothes hanging in a closet doesn’t make you fit anymore than an armor just hanging in your spiritual closet makes you equipped for the battle.
That is why this series of messages is going to be helpful because it is going to raise awareness of what we are involved in and what can be done by the strength and power of God if there is applications of the principles and truths found in these verses.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
It is good to know that he does not have a free hand with his cunning skills and strategies. God protects and provides a way of escape for Christians who look for the door out of the maze of temptation. An annual fall tradition in the Clayton household is a trip to the fairgrounds to get your hand stamped for unlimited rides, seeing the shows, viewing the exhibits, and oh course the food. Every year I have to get those big huge greasy “Elephant Ears” coated with white sugar and cinnamon. When the children were younger, I would ride the different rides with them and enjoyed them because they went slower and were closer to the ground. Riding the Kid Rides doesn’t break a general rule I learned from my Associate Minister Ernie Thigpen in Spartanburg, South Carolina back in the 1980's. His rule was if the ride wasn’t here yesterday, I’m not riding it today. I observe that rule quite religiously. So what I do is walk around while the kids, now older ride those gut-wrenching, death-defying machines.
One place where I like to go is to the “House of Mirrors” and watch with amusement as people try to find their way out of the maze of mirrors. Over the years of watching this event I have observed a couple of common denominators. Once a person discovers the way through the maze the next time they go through they walk swiftly and confidently as if it was a piece of cake. Solving the maze that used to be difficult allows the person to walks through with ease the next time.