Faith Scripture:

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

As we follow Jesus and walk in "Everyday Faith," this series is designed to help you get free and walk in life more abundantly.

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

The steps of following Jesus:

Born-again – Saved

Water Baptized

Holy Spirit Activated

Healed and Set Free

In Community

Contributing

Personal Growth

Reproducing

There are 2 Objectives to this series:

·      We need to step into preventative truth rather than reactionary deliverance.

Isaiah 49:9 (NIV) “…say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’

·      We learn how to access what God has given us so we can properly grow in our faith by accessing the ‘knowledge of the truth.”

I Timothy 2:3-6 “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

If we are going to live in "knowledge of the truth," we first have to understand “Why did Jesus even come?”

I John 3:8b “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”

Ephesians 6:10-19

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the Shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

To get Battle Ready, it is not just proper Training but proper Attire. The armor is designed specifically for the enemy we are fighting.

The Enemy: The Armor was designed because of the specific enemy we face.

Two Terms:

Devil - Greek - Diabolos

Devil - one who continually strikes and strikes again, beating against the walls of one’s mind, until he finally breaks through and penetrates their thought process.

Satan - Hebrew - shatana- to hate; to accuse

Revelation 12:10 “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

This term is used over 50 times in the Bible.

Jesus ever lives to intercede. (Hebrews 7:25) Satan lives to accuse.

Angel of Light - II Corinthians 11:14 “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.                                  

What does all this mean? “Satan” is the proper name. “Devil” is his plan of action. “Angel of Light” is his mode of operation to deceive you.

With this knowledge of the truth, we can understand the armor: "Why" the specific order is mentioned and "How" to get maximum use out of it.

Belt of Truth

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth,

“Stand therefore” - How do you STAND? You stand as a Victorious Warrior.

Pankratists - Pan- all; Kratos- power exhibited

Pankratists - Someone with a massive amount of skill and power; power over all; more power than anyone else.

“having fastened on the belt of truth”

As we learn "Why," the specific order it is interesting that Paul would start with the belt.

1. This is the only piece of the Armor that you can physically see, and that is tangible to your physical senses. The rest of the Armor is invisible.

The belt of Truth is the Written or logos Word of God. Also known as “The Word of Truth. (II Timothy 2:15)

Ephesians 6:17 “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”

This is the revealed, illuminated, or rhema Word of God that comes through the Teacher or Revealer, the Holy Spirit.

2. The Belt holds all the rest of the Armor in place.

The Belt held the Breastplate in place. It served as the resting place for the Shield. It held the sheath that the sword was put in, and the armor fell apart without the Belt of Truth.

Everything in your Christian walk connects from the written Word of Truth! Therefore, everything in your everyday life is connected to the Written Word of Truth.

           The effectiveness of your:

o  Worship

o  Prayer 

o  Church Life

o  Gifts and Talents

None of it is effective if the Written Word of Truth is not in place.

3. The Belt of Truth is literally our Spiritual Sight.

           Satan - Hebrew – shatana - to hate; to accuse

Angel of Light - II Corinthians 11:14 “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

When you wear The Belt of Truth, you'll soon start seeing through the lies of Satan and seeing the schemes, devices, and baits that the Devil is throwing at you.

God didn't give us a Belt. He gave us the truth that works as a belt, holding everything together.

Breastplate of Righteousness

Ephesians 6:14b “and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,”

Important to note, God did not give us a Breastplate. He gave us Righteousness that works as a Breastplate.

Literal Armor:

·      It was made of brass and was 2 pieces.

·      Most Beautiful, Elaborate, and Largest piece of the Armor.

·      The Breastplate and the Helmet were the most notable and noticeable pieces of Armor.

·      Often, the Breastplate was layered like fish scales for greater mobility and efficiency.

·      The front and back were held together at the shoulders by 2 rings.

·      The front started at the neck and went down to the knees.

It was made of brass and was 2 pieces.

Just as the Breastplate was 2 pieces, so is our walking in Righteousness.

           1. What Jesus did.

           2. Us walking in it.

           You can know and receive what Jesus did, but still not walk in it. 

The breastplate is made of layered brass, which does the opposite of what one may think. When you continually rub pieces of brass together, it doesn't wear out; in fact, it would gain luster.

Freshly made Armor would shine, but its use over time would develop its own unique luster.

Seasoned warriors had had these beautiful and elaborate Breastplates because of use, not because of inactivity.

Our Righteousness in CHRIST does the same. It will shine brighter the more we use it!

The Breastplate and the Helmet were the most notable and noticeable pieces of Armor.

Our Righteousness should be one of the most noticeable things the Enemy sees, and if the enemy sees this Righteousness, the world will surely notice it.

This is why it is so important to get the Truth on your Righteousness. It is time to use your Righteousness to shine in battle!

Time to be BATTLE READY!