Kingdom Warfare. (Part Two): Suit Up! Week 5

against principalities: High ranking spiritual beings blocking heaven from earth

against powers: A different expression for the same thing as principalities

against the rulers of the darkness of this world: a metaphor for the devil

against spiritual wickedness in high places: This possibly refers to the most depraved abominations, including such things as extreme sexual perversions, occultism, and Satan worship which come from the supernatural sphere where Satan temporarily rules.

BackgroundThe Roman soldier used his belt to tuck his tunic up, so it would not become flowing attire in the midst of a battle and impede him from fighting his enemy. In addition, the Roman soldier's belt was used to hold the warrior's weapons: the large and small swords.

Application.Paul described the belt as being like truth. Truth is truthfulness and honesty as opposed to phoniness, deceitfulness, and hypocrisy. To participate in these latter activities is to play the devil's game. You should know that you cannot beat him at his own game.

BackgroundWhen the Roman soldier wore this piece of armament, it covered his front and back. The breastplate covered his vital organs.

Application.Paul likens the breastplate to righteousness. In Ephesians 4.2 and 5.9, Paul used the word righteousness to clearly mean right character and conduct. Believers are most vulnerable to Satan when they destroy their character and compromise their conduct. In short, when a believer sins. If we continue to sin, it is like having a chink in our armament that allows the enemy a pathway into our lives. Think about it: Sin puts a chink in God's armament. If we replace old sinful patterns with right character and conduct, the enemy cannot get to us as easily.

BackgroundThe Roman soldier had special boots. They were made of leather with studded soles and allowed the toes to be free. They were tied to the soldier at his ankles and shins with ornamental straps. Wearing these boots equipped the soldier for long marches and provided him a solid, firm stance.

Application.The gospel of peace (rest in the midst of turmoil), which is given to the believer, helps each believer to stand on a firm foundation. Remember that one of the deceptions of the enemy is fear. Most of what we fear does not happen. We use mega energy to worry. Fear is: False Expectations Appearing Real.

BackgroundThe shield that Paul referred to was the larger of two shields that were used by the Roman soldier. It measured 4½ feet high by 2½ feet wide. It was like a small wall built of two layers of wood, glued together, and covered with leather. The shield could be planted in the ground and the Roman soldier could squat behind it. One of the weapons used in wartime was darts that had been dipped into pitch, lit, and fired at the opponent. The Roman shield would catch the dart and extinguish it.

Application. For the believer, Paul likens the shield to faith to the believer's ability to believe that God will protect him from ultimate harm. As Satan throws his fiery darts: unsought thoughts, desires to disobey, rebellion, fear, lust, hate, anger, sarcasm, etc., we can hide behind our shield of faith, knowing that God will protect us.

BackgroundThe Roman helmet was made of a tough metal-like bronze or iron. It had a hinged visor for frontal protection. Nothing short of an ax could penetrate the helmet.

Application. Paul likened the helmet to the believer's salvation. It seems that salvation means the means of deliverance based on the four other times this word appears in the New Testament (Luke 2.30, 3.6; Acts 28.28; Titus 2.11). To be saved is to accept the deliverer and the deliverance, knowing that nothing the enemy can throw at you can penetrate.

BackgroundThe sword for the Roman could be an offensive and defensive weapon. In this passage the word sword is machaira (makh-ahee-rah). This was the smaller of the two Roman swords. It was a twelve-to-fourteen inch knife-like instrument whose blade could cut in any direction and whose tip was pinpoint sharp. It was used for close personal combat. The soldier would use the larger sword to disable his opponent. Then he would use the smaller instrument to penetrate the chinks in his opponent's armor and plunging it in.

Application.Paul likened this sword to the word of God. Word in this passage is rhema. It is used seventy times in the New Testament. Five of these times it is used in the phrase word of God. On all five occasions it should be translated a word of God, although it is translated the word of God in most translations. In Luke 3.2 the word of God appears to be a message from God which John preached. In Luke 4.4 the word of God is that which is provided to give man life. Hebrews 6.5 suggests that the believer taste the word of God. In Hebrews 11.3 the word of God is an utterance by which God summoned into existence that which had not existed before (Gen. 1.3). In light of the above, it seems best to take Ephesians 4.2 to also mean a word of God, a specific statement given by the Spirit to assist the believer in defending against the enemy as well as assaulting the enemy during a battle. This may be a spoken word of Scripture or an impression from God.

How are you arming yourself with the truth of God's Word? How are those in the battle with you treating you?

What ways are you choosing right character and conduct in your day-to-day life?

What ways are you choosing right character and conduct in your day-to-day life?

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