CHRISTIAN WARFARE

Ephesians 6:10-20

INTRODUCTION

A. A Christian’s efforts to live faithfully in this life is described in various terms
throughout the New Testament:

1. As a walk and as running a race

2. But the one use most often is that of “warfare.”

B. One of the greatest texts on Christian warfare is found in Ephesians 6:10-20.

DISCUSSION

A. THE SOLDIER’S CHARGE  

1. Ephesians 10-11a  

2. A Christian soldier is charged to be “strong in the Lord, and in the strength

     of his might“

a. As we war as a soldier of Christ we must possess power, might and strength

b.  But note this strength is not fleshly strength – it is strength found in the Lord

c. Philippians 4:13  

3. A Christian soldier is charged to “put on the whole armor of God“

a. We need to realize that no amount of armor is worth the material it is made

of unless the soldier has the heart to fight – thus, again, “be strong in the

Lord”

b. Once a man is willing to be strong in the Lord – he begins to arm himself

God’s armor – leaving nothing out! (“the whole armor”)

c. If you leave a piece of the armor off – you expose yourself to the enemy!

B. THE SOLDIER’S ENEMY  

1. Ephesians 6:11b  

2. The devil is the Christian soldier’s enemy  

a. 1 Peter 5:8-9  

b. John 8:44  

3. The devil has strategies (“wiles“) to try to defeat us: 

a. Satan is a master of deception and evil maneuvers

b. He lies (Jn. 8:44)

c. He ambushes (1 Pt. 5:8)

d. He recruits help – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

e. Always trying to gain an advantage over us (2 Cor. 2:11)

f. He constantly seeks to find our weakness (1 Cor. 7:15)

C. THE SOLDIER’S WARFARE  

1. Ephesians 6:12  

2. Christians are at war:  

a. 1 Timothy 6:12

b. 2 Timothy 2:3-4   

3. This warfare is not physical – it is spiritual.

a. John 18:36

b. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

4. We war against a very powerful foe as suggested by the words “principalities,

powers, world-rulers, darkness, and wickedness”

D. THE SOLDIER’S DUTY  

1. Ephesians 6:13  

2. Again, a Christian soldier must “take up the whole armor of God” –

      mentioned twice to show its importance

3. A Christian soldier must be “able to withstand in the evil day“

a. We must be able to resist the exploits of the devil

b. This will only occur if … the whole armor of God

3. A Christian soldier must be able to make a “stand“

a. We must draw a line of defense and make our stand

b. We must not give ground  –  1 Corinthians 15:58 

E. THE SOLDIER’S ARMOR

1. Ephesians 6:14-17  

2. Girdle of Truth  

a. The girdle was used to hold the soldier’s clothing next to his body so as not

to be impeded in movement

b. Truth is to be held close so that we not stumble over the garments of

weakness in the flesh

c. We must bind up and bring into control our thoughts and actions

d. Notice what truth is able to do:

1) Keeps us from flapping from one doctrine to another – Ephesians 4:14

2) Keeps us from be being entangled in the affairs of the world –

2 Timothy 2:3-4

3) Supports us in battle and trials of life – Hebrews 2:17-18

2. Breastplate of Righteousness

a. The breastplate covered the body of the soldier from the neck to the thighs –

it was used to protect his heart.

b. Righteousness is that which protects the Christian’s heart – it is that which

keeps the hearts from being wounded and losing its focus.

c. 1 Corinthians 15:34 … 1 John 3:7

3. Sandals of the Gospel of Peace

a. The sandals were a sign of readiness – readiness to march and do battle. The

Roman sandals were made with nails that gripped the ground firmly even

when it was slippery.

b. The sign of the Christian is readiness – readiness to march and fight the good

fight of faith. Wherever a Christian’s feet take him – he shares the gospel that

can firmly ground the world slipping in the slime of sin

c. The Christian soldier’s shoes are not dancing shoes, nor are they the lounging

slippers of the slothful, but the shoes of a warrior.

d. Matthew 28:19-20 … Romans 1:16

4. Shield of Faith  

a. The shield referred to here is large, oblong – shaped like a door. This shield

gives protection from the arrows and spears that would have been hurled at

them.

b. In like manner we are to use our faith as a shield to protect us from the “fiery

darts of the evil one.”

c. Psalm 3:3-4 … Romans 10:17  

5. Helmet of Salvation  

a. The helmet covered the head and the mind of the soldier. The head, of

course, was the core of a soldier’s power to wage war. His thinking ability

was the most important factor in determining his victory or defeat.

b. As a Christian soldier must protect our mind and thoughts, focusing them on

our Leader. The helmet that protects the mind of the Christian is salvation.

The knowledge that we saved helps us and encourages us to keep our minds

and thoughts protected.

c. Romans 8:6; 12:2  

d. 2 Corinthians 10:5  

e. James 1:21

6. Sword of the Spirit  

a. The sword was a weapon used for both defense and offense. The sword was

used both to protect and to fight off and slay the enemy

b. The sign of a Christian soldier is his use of the Word of God. By his use of

the Scriptures, he protects himself from the onslaught of the enemy; and he

fights and wins battle after battle, day after day. The word of God is the one

weapon that can assure victory.

c. Hebrews 4:12  

7. Notice that each piece of armor is built around the word of God!

F. THE SOLDIER’S PROVISION  

1. Ephesians 6:18-20 

2. A Christian soldier must pray

3. A Christian soldier will pray in the spirit – constant with the word of God – the

sword of the Spirit

4. A Christian soldier will pray at all times

5. A Christian soldier will watch and pray

CONCLUSION

A. Are you fighting in the Lord’s army? If not, you are on the losing side.

B. Have you put on the whole armor of God? If not, you are in danger of being

mortally wounded.