LESSON NO. 2 - WEAPONS TRAINING

 

Now lets look at the kind of warfare we are involved in, who your real enemy is, and what weapons The Lord and Our Heavenly Father have given us to fight with.

1) The Enemy: Ephesians 6:12-Tells us that they are not flesh and blood. Therefore not our neighbor, or anyone that we can see. But unseen evil beings of varying ranks who endeavor to rule us by manipulating our circumstances, our perception of them and by our emotions.

2) The Kind or Type of Battle/Warfare: Wrestling (Grk. Pale) a wrestling match of intense proportions, focus and concentration. Frequently for the Greeks or Romans it was to the death.  The two contestants would face each other on their knees and wrestle till one was killed or lost.  The loser was then either blinded or put to death. In addition, sometimes the contestants had their hands wrapped in cloths that were then dipped in glue, then in broken glass or pottery. They would then slug each other and wrestle each other to the death. Paul chose a very somber picture to use regarding the kind of warfare we're involved in--daily. Not to frighten us, but to wake us up and make us aware of the seriousness of what we are dealing with.
Eph.6:12a                                                                                           

3) Armour: When we fail, most times it is because we have failed to do what Paul said in Eph.6:11, Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of  the devil. The Grk. Word for wiles is the same word that we get the word method from. Satan has several basic methods that he uses to attack. Once you understand the methods, you can be prepared to withstand the attack. The Armour of God is critical for your protection. So critical in fact, Paul three times tells us to put it on. Eph.6:11,13,Rom.13:12 and tells us that with it on,  we can withstand the devil's attacks and crush him. Rom.16:20. What does all this mean? That without your armour on you don't stand a chance. But with it, you can have a sweeping victory.                      

                                                            QUESTIONS

I.                   Paul lists 4 different types of spirits you will confront in your life time. 

            What are they?

II.                Is there a difference between armour and weapons? If so, what is it?


4a) Armour Components:

Helmet: Protects the mind, your will, your intellect, your conscience, your understanding, your memory of what God has said to you about His Will for your life.           

Breastplate: Among other things, protects your heart, your emotions, feelings, your zeal, enthusiasm for the things of God, and your desire to fulfill God's purpose for your life and 
to live Holy.  

Girdle (Belt): Supports and keeps up the breastplate. Protects and strengthens our ability to keep ourselves chaste and pure before God. Helps us to control our flesh, eliminate lying, unforgiveness, anger, improper urges, be they of a sexual nature or other wise, etc. Enables  us to constrain how we live and what we say. It is the foundation which supports the rest of  the armour.

Shoes: Being prepared to stand and share the truth of the Gospel at every opportunity that  the Holy Spirit provides to do so. Also, the shoes of a Roman Legionnaire were studded with nails at the bottom so that whether he fought on muddy ground or flat, he was prepared and 
able to stand. Whether sharing the Gospel or defending it, we too need to be prepared to stand--not argue, but stand.

 

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