Standing alongside the command to take up the whole armour of God, is a call to pray. As Christians we sometimes pray with some perseverance. In this passage, Paul uses the word “all” 4 times, and this teaches us about the nature of prayer.
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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
We come to the final piece of the Gospel armour- the Sword of the Spirit. Most Christians know that the Bible is the word of God, but so often we don’t actually know how to use the sword. Have you taken up the Sword?
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and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
It is so easy for us to look to find peace through good things that were never meant to supply peace. This week we looked at the prophecy in Isaiah 53 how Jesus provides the peace that we need.
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Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Growing in Grace is a publication of our denomination, GPCNZ.
“There is no salvation for you in God.” This is the kind of language that Satan can use to us to give in to despair and hopelessness. This is why the helmet of salvation is an important part of the Armour for the Christian.
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and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
The shield of faith is presented by Paul as a part of the armour that is able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. How then do we take up the shield of faith?
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16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
In order to be ready for spiritual battle, we need the gospel of peace. Peace not in the sense of a cease fire, but a fullness of fellowship with God and each other.
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and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
What does it mean to put on the breastplate of righteousness? How will this help us to stand against the attacks of the Devil? The answer has two parts. John explains.
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14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness
Truth is the first part of the armour that Paul mentions to be put on by Christians. It is vital we know and speak the truth in order that we may stand.
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14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
As we come towards the end of the book of Ephesians, Paul encourages the believers to be Strong in the Lord, because they are in a Spiritual war. John explains.
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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.