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educative

1. STAND FIRM Ephesians 6:13-18

2. Meaning of “Stand Firm” To stand - T o have or maintain an upright position. - To withstand an experience or test without being damaged To stand firm – To refuse to change your mind about something. Biblically, it means to be steady and sure; not wavering, stumbling or easily moved. Thus the context in which it has been used in this passage.

3. Put on the full armor of God Verse 13 … put on the full armor of God Without God you cannot stand; you cannot be steady and sure in this life; you will be thrown to and fro by any wind of doctrine of the craftiness and lies of men (Ephesians 4:14), and the storms and pressures of life. Y ou will fall and fail without God. And Jesus Christ is our only sure and firm foundation. (Matthew 7:24-27). Anyone who hears the words and teachings of Jesus Christ and puts them into practice builds on a rock and as such is not affected by the rains, storms and pressures of life. The passage continues by saying “so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand.” Now, let’s put on the Armor of God…

4. The Belt of Truth Verse 14 The general use of a belt on your waist, is to hold your attire; so your trousers, shorts especially, in shape – to secure or hold up the clothing. Just as has been used in this verse, it signifies the truth of God’s Word and it implies that God’s Word guides all areas of our life. God’s truth holds our life in shape and secures it. It is for nothing that it has been mentioned as the first piece of the armor of God. Jesus Christ is the Truth of God (John 14:6), thus, we need Jesus Christ first and foremost in putting on the armor of God. He is the Anchor that holds our life in place.

5. The Breastplate of Righteousness Verse 14 A breastplate is a metal plate worn as a defensive armor which covers the middle chest area, the area known to contain the heart, a very important organ in our body. Just as the breastplate protects the heart and chest region, the spiritual breastplate, the breastplate of righteousness protects the spiritual heart. The heart – what we feel - and mind – what we think - are very vital areas which the devil uses to disturb our Christian lives. As such we are being warned here to use righteousness to prevent our feelings from leading us astray from God.

6. The Breastplate of Righteousness Cont’d Righteousness is the quality of being right in the eyes of God; it includes character (nature), conscience (attitude), conduct (action), and command (word). It is based on God’s standard because He is the ultimate Lawgiver. Our own righteousness does not reach the standard of God (Isaiah 64:6). As such God has given us the gift of His righteousness through our Lord Jesus Christ, which we must accept and live in. As such, we do good, we avoid sin because we live the righteousness of God through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, as given by Jesus Christ. Galatians 5:19-22 – explains living by yourself and living God’s righteousness by the Spirit.

7. The Shoes of Readiness to preach the Gospel Verse 15 The footwear of our spiritual armor is the readiness of spreading the Gospel. Isn’t it marvelous that as part of fighting our spiritual warfare, spreading the Gospel is part of our defense mechanisms? We must tell of the salvation that our Lord Jesus Christ brings to all mankind and how we must live by the righteousness of God given through Jesus Christ and by the in dwelling of the Holy Spirit. Proclaiming the Gospel helps to check ourselves. You tell what you know to others, and to be able to respond well to questions posed concerning our faith, we will be pushed to study the Word and be grounded in it. Matthew 28:19-20 – The great commission

8. The Shield of Faith Verse 16 The shield is also a piece of defense armor. Its Greek connotation is a shield large enough to provide full protection from an attack. And this is what our faith is being likened to, to be used to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one …”. Hebrews 11:1 describes what faith is. Our faith is in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and ultimately, He is the object of our faith. Jesus Christ is ultimately our Shield (Psalm 3:3, Psalm 28:7) and so, to block all attacks from the evil one described as “flaming arrows”, we must turn on and high, our faith in Jesus Christ. No matter who or what comes up against us, we are covered in him and by Him .

9. The Helmet of Salvation Verse 17 The helmet protects your head, and it is also a defensive piece. We are being told here to protect our minds – or our thoughts, with the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must guard our thoughts – avoid sinful thoughts and understand what is good and true, which is the Word of God, Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:8 – Tells us what to think of as believers.

10. The Sword of the Spirit Verse 17 Hebrews 4:12 – The power of God’s word The greatest weapon we have is the Word of God. Study it consistently. Be committed to studying the Word each day. Live by it, obey i t and do what it commands. GHAFES has started a one year reading plan from 1 st January, subscribe to it and read the Bible. Let the Word govern everything you say, do and think. It is the greatest weapon we have to fight the enemy .

11. Pray ceaselessly Verse 18 Pray, pray, pray. In everything pray 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing; another version says to pray continually. Excited? – pray; Angry? – pray; In love with somebody? – pray; You wake up? – pray; You go to bed? – pray; Academics? – pray; Finances? – pray; Family? – pray; Friends? – pray. PRAY!!!!!. NB: GHAFES will start a prayer schedule as well. Join that and pray as well.

12. Conclusion The passage closes by saying that with all these in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. So as you pray individually, remember all of us; the Lord’s people that we too may be able to stand firm in all our endeavors. I leave you with this; Philippians 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. AMEN.