The Armor of God

Weapons of Our Warfare

• 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the
power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual
hosts of wickedness 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.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and
having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel
of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with
which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
• Strongholds: For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling
down strongholds 2 Cor. 10:4
• In this chapter you find no reference to the
devil, nor do find a direct reference his work.
But what you DO find here is the word
stronghold with direct reference to your mind or
your thoughts.
• The idea here is that we need to take charge of
your mind—not the devil. He comes to strike
your mind, because he knows if he can seize
your mind he can control you.
• Ochuroma—to make firm, a fortified
dwelling used as a place of protection.
• These fortresses exist in the thought
patterns and ideas in our minds
• Note how we “protect” the enemy—he
hides and is protected when we defend
our RIGHT to feel a certain way, to act..,
• To think..even though we know…
• Pr.23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
• But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent
deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds
may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in
Christ. 2 Cor.11:3
• Our soul is made up of mind, will, and emotion—
but even more it is made up of EVENTS and
HOW we REACTED to them. They are words
spoken over us, actions that hurt us, and thought
processes we use to protect us.
• Jesus was crucified at “Golgotha”—the
place of the skull. Our uncrucified
thoughts are the beachhead of satanic
assault in our life.
• Ro.12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to
God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And
do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind
• “transformed”—metamorphoo(Grk): to change
into another form. Translated transfigure in Mt
17:2. How we are changed by the power of God
expressed in character and conduct
• This transformation is the identifying and pulling
down of all those thoughts, those wrong
reactions to adversity, those negative
experiences in our lives, that have established
themselves inside us contrary to Christ.
• We remove the strongholds of satan in order to
establish the stronghold of Christ. Every area
that I have been changed in resembles Jesus…
• Lk.11:21 When a strong man, fully armed,
guards his own palace, his goods are in peace.
22 But when a stronger than he comes upon
him and overcomes him, he takes from him all
his armor in which he trusted, and divides his
spoils.
• Jesus referred here to satan as a “strong man”.
“Fully armed” refers to strongholds—those
thoughts, attitudes, opinions lodged in the
hearts of “his goods”.
• WE were the undisturbed possessions of satan
prior to our coming to Christ. (see Ep.2:1-3)
• The “strong man” met a “stronger man”
• Isa. 49:24 Shall the prey be taken from
the mighty, or the lawful captive
delivered?
• 25 But thus saith the LORD, Even the
captives of the mighty shall be taken
away, and the prey of the terrible shall
be delivered: for I will contend with him
that contendeth with thee, and I will save
thy children.
• Two basic ways satan operates:
– Intrusion
– Legal Access
– A. Intrusion– “the act of pushing or thrusting
in; the act of coming in without being asked
or wanted. Satan uses ANY disturbance or
conflict, to try and get you to miss what God
intends for your life. In order to oppose God’s
work satan is the master of distractions and
interruptions!
• Five primary strategies:
– 1. Lies and deception
– 2. Accusation and condemnation
– 3. Doubt, fear, and unbelief
– 4. Battlefield of the mind
– 5. Attacking the Word of God
– If satan has intruded into your life—shut the
door! RESIST the devil and he will flee! Your
resistance is dependent on not losing focus.
• B. LEGAL ACCESS
– 1. Ep.4:27 nor give place to the devil.
– 2. Ro. 6:16 Do you not know that to whom
you present yourselves slaves to obey, you
are that one’s slaves whom you obey,
whether of sin leading to death, or of
obedience leading to righteousness? You are
the servant of your choice.
– 3. FIVE OPEN DOORS:
• 1. Disobedience
• 2. Unforgiveness
• 3. Emotional Trauma
• 4. Inner vows and judgements
• 5. Curses