Yahweh’s Body Armor | Spiritual Warfare Part III

#spiritualwarfare #armorofgod #Yahweh

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

In our last study, we discussed being strong in the Lord. How to carry out the command to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power is found in the command here, and that is, put on the whole armor of God. And the reason for putting on this armor is to stand against the devil’s schemes.

Romans 13:12 let us put on the armour of light.

The spiritual battle requires spiritual armor.

The whole armor implies completeness. God’s armor is fully capable of protecting the believer as well as providing offensive weaponry. Paul, and the Lord, want believers to be fully equipped soldiers.

The armor of God has both defensive and offensive components. All of the armor needs to be seen in both aspects. Believers will assuredly come under attack and need to take a defensive stance, but this will frequently happen in the context of making offensive inroads into the dominion of darkness by sharing the gospel and freeing the captives.

God’s armor is described in a few OT passages.

Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

Isaiah 11:5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

Wisdom 5:17-20 For armour he will take his jealous love, he will arm creation to punish his enemies; he will put on justice as a breastplate, and for helmet wear his forthright judgement; he will take up invincible holiness for shield, of his pitiless wrath he will forge a sword.

Notice in all of these passages it’s God who is wearing this armor and going to battle. This perfectly fits with Paul’s command for believers to put on God’s armor. It’s the armor of God. The armor he makes available for his own. This isn’t the armor of men. 2 Corinthians 10:4 “for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds.”

All these weapons are used and tested by God himself.

Believers have been elevated to the status of active participants in Yahweh’s war with the darkness.

As the body of Christ, the church is now given Yahweh’s body armor. The armor goes on the body. As Yahweh was enveloped in these virtues so now we are to be also.

And the purpose or reason Paul gives for putting on this armor is so we are able to stand against the devils schemes or tactics. This is the answer to the “why” question. Why put on the armor? To stand against the devil’s schemes.

Because our struggle is not against flesh and blood. And standing firm is the language of war.

Psalm 144:1 Blessed be Yahweh, my rock who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for warfare.

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Select sources:

Arnold, Clinton E. Ephesians (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010

Aune, David E. “Archon.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Barth, Markus. Ephesians (AB). 2 vols. Garden City: Doubleday, 1974

Betz, Hans D. “Authorities.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Cohick, Lynn H. The Letter to the Ephesians (NICNT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2020

CSB Tony Evans Study Bible. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers 2019

Breshears, Gerry. “Spiritual Warfare.” Biblical Training Academy. BiblicalTraining.org/learn/academy/th251-spiritual-warfare

Feldmeier, R,. “World Rulers.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Hoehner, Harold. Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002

Ramirez, John. Armed and Dangerous: The Ultimate Battle Plan for Targeting and Defeating the Enemy. Chosen Books. 2017

Ramirez, John. Fire Prayers: Building Arsenals that Destroy Satanic Kingdoms. Charisma House. 2023.

TESTUDO. https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/roman-army/military-formations-of-ancient-romans/testudo/amp/

Yoder Neufeld, Thomas R. Put on the Armour of God: The Divine Warrior from Isaiah to Ephesians. JSNTSup vol 140. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997