6 preparations to stand firm in spiritual warfare
I. Put On the Belt of Truth
Isaiah 11:5 - Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, And faithfulness the belt about His waist.
II. Put On the Breastplate of Righteousness
Ephesians 6:14 - ...HAVING PUT ON (ἐνδυσάμενοι) THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS…
Ephesians 6:11 - Put on (ἐνδύσασθε) the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 4:24 - …and put on (ἐνδύσασθαι) the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Isaiah 59:17a - He put on righteousness as a breastplate...
2 Corinthians 5:21 - He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Philippians 3:8-9 - More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith…
III. Put On the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Isaiah 52:7 - How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Romans 10:9-10,13-15 - …that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation...for WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED. How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”
IV. Take Up the Shield of Faith
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
V. Take Up the Helmet of Salvation
1 Thessalonians 5:8 - But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
Isaiah 59:14-17- Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, and uprightness cannot enter. Yes, truth is lacking; And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey. Now the LORD saw, and it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice. And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him. He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.
VI. Take Up the Sword of the Spirit
Romans 8:13 - …for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Isaiah 11:4-5 - But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist.
Hebrews 4:11-12 - Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
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