4. A Victorious Life
4
A Victorious Life
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10–11
No sooner had the obedient Son of God been baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, commended from heaven by the Father, and empowered by the Holy Spirit than He was led into the wilderness to do battle against Satan (Matt. 4:1–11). That conflict continued during the years of His public ministry and was climaxed in Christ’s victory by His death, resurrection, and ascension. Christ is the conqueror and is enthroned today in glory. We should rejoice that Jesus is “far above all principality and power and might and dominion” (Eph. 1:21), and we should accept His invitation to share in His victory. Satan today is at war with the church of Jesus Christ and he knows that his time is short (Rev. 12:12).
However, many professed Christians today are living as though they were on a playground, not a battleground. They forget (or perhaps never knew) that Jesus warned His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33), and the apostle Paul wrote that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Jesus was lied about, ridiculed, threatened, beaten, and crucified by the governmental and religious leaders of His day, and Paul wrote that every true believer would share in “the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil. 3:10). In his Gospel, the apostle John vividly describes our Lord’s conflicts and then he applies them to the church in his first epistle. Finally, he dramatically portrays this awesome conflict in the Book of Revelation—Christ vs. Antichrist, the new Jerusalem vs. Babylon, the Lamb of God vs. the beast from hell.
Yes, God will one day judge this world, but first, judgment begins “at the house of God” (1 Pet. 4:17). In His letters to the seven churches (Rev. 2–3), Jesus calls His people to be overcomers, but God’s household today appears to be overcome and filled with underachievers. To put it bluntly, we are not ready for battle. Too many professed Christians in and out of our evangelical churches are not prepared to face the official persecution that is coming. Peter puts it this way:
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. (1 Pet. 4:12–14)
The fiery trial did come in Peter’s day, and when it comes again, God’s people must be prepared. Peter counsels us to arm ourselves with the same attitude of mind that Jesus had when He faced the enemy and went to the cross (vv. 1–2). Outlook helps to determine outcome, and if our outlook is not biblical and sober our outcome will be tragic.
In this chapter, I want to describe the equipment and enablement of a faithful Christian soldier. I realize that some people resent the military emphasis in Scripture, but the emphasis is there and we dare not ignore it. The conflict the church is facing cannot be handled with the kid gloves of sentimental diplomacy. We must wear the whole armor of God and know how to use the equipment the Lord has made available to us (Eph. 6:10–20).
Attention! Here are the orders from the Captain of our salvation (Heb. 2:10)!
Remember That You Are Always a Soldier, Either on Duty or AWOL
It’s important to realize that the instant we trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we became soldiers in the army of God. We were not asked to volunteer, for the Captain of our salvation has decreed that everyone who belongs to the family of God also belongs to the army of God—whether they obey orders or not. The devil is our enemy and he and his demonic army use the world and the flesh to tempt us to sin. Satan is a liar (serpent) who deceives and a lion who devours (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Pet. 5:8–9), and we must take him seriously. To jest about him is to play right into his hands.
Satan is also called Apollyon, which means “destroyer” (Rev. 9:11). In past centuries, he tried to destroy the Jewish nation and prevent the birth of Jesus, and since Pentecost (Acts 2) he has tried to destroy the church and silence its witness. But history has proved that the blood of the martyrs only strengthens and expands the church. Satan is a counterfeiter and his servants pretend to follow Christ but are only masquerading (2 Cor. 11:13–15). His false apostles preach a false gospel (Gal. 1:6–10) that leads people into bondage instead of into the freedom of salvation in Jesus Christ.
This means we must be alert and awake at all times, never off duty. Peter’s admonition that we be sober and vigilant (1 Pet. 5:8–9) came from a man who was not sober and vigilant, one who denied the Lord and tried to kill a man! We must respect Satan’s subtlety and strength and turn to the Lord for help when we know the enemy is at work.
Always Wear Your Armor
Five words in 2 Samuel 11:1 explain why David committed adultery with Bathsheba, plotted the death of her husband, and lied about the whole affair for nearly a year: “But David remained at Jerusalem.” He laid aside his armor! He should have been with his army, attacking the enemy, but instead he stayed home and was attacked by a far worse enemy and lost the battle! Every Christian is commanded to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3) and to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). We can do it successfully if we wear the armor described in Ephesians 6:10–20 and know how to use it. Satan’s evil tactics are shrewd (2 Cor. 11:1–4) and the days are evil (Eph. 5:16; 6:13). Note that we need “the whole armor” and not just one or two parts, and that we must stand our ground and withstand our enemy. In Jesus Christ we stand victorious, but Satan wants us to retreat and lose the ground Jesus won for us on the cross. We are fighting from Christ’s victory and not for our own victory, for by faith we are already standing on holy ground. Read Joshua 5:13–15 to get the picture. The parts of the armor all relate to the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 13:12–14; Eph. 4:17–24), so to put on the armor is to put on Christ and abide in Him (Col. 3:8–17).
The girdle of truth (Eph. 6:14). This was not a narrow belt but more like a heavy leather and metal apron. From the waist down to about four inches above the knees, it went around the soldier’s body and covered him front and back. It helped to keep the other parts of the armor together, and provided a place where the soldier could carry some of his equipment, such as a short spear, a pouch, and a dagger. The word truth here means “integrity,” for just as the girdle held the armor together, personal integrity holds our character together and delivers us from hypocrisy and duplicity, what the world calls “talking out of both sides of your mouth.” An integer is a whole number and integrity is wholeness. A fraction is a part of a number and corresponds to hypocrisy and duplicity, saying one thing but living quite another. “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts” (Ps. 51:6). To be double-minded and try to serve two masters is to lose integrity and practice hypocrisy.
The breastplate of righteousness (Eph. 6:14) was made of metal and protected the soldier’s torso, front and back. The Christian soldier has two kinds of righteousness: imputed righteousness, which is the righteousness of Christ put to our account when we first trusted Him (Rom. 4:13–23; 2 Cor. 5:21), and imparted righteousness, which the Holy Spirit builds into our character as we walk by faith and obey the Lord. A theologian would call the first justification and the second sanctification. Imputed righteousness never changes, for the Father always accepts us in Christ (Eph. 1:1–6), but imparted righteousness does change as we daily walk with the Lord and obey Him. If we wear the breastplate, the accusations and attacks of the devil cannot hurt us. The breastplate protects the heart, for it is out of the heart that life flows (Prov. 4:23).
The shoes of peace (Eph. 6:15) enable the soldiers to stand, walk, run, and keep their balance as they do battle. Roman soldiers wore strong leather sandals with hobnails on the soles and thongs to hold the shoes in place. The Lord wants us to take our stand for Him and the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1, 58) and be able to maneuver and get the best of the enemy. Since we are at peace with God (Rom. 5:1), we can wear shoes of peace and bring peace to others who are fighting battles. The soldier who is at war with himself or with others will not be able to be an instrument of God’s peace. Having peace with God through the cross and the peace of God in our hearts (Phil. 4:6–7), we are actually “waging peace” and not fighting a traditional war. This inner peace gives us stability and mobility as we oppose Satan and his hosts. We are not fighting flesh and blood but the Satanic forces that use people to oppose the work of Christ. Christians are to be peacemakers and not troublemakers. If our lives and ministries cause trouble, it’s because the world hates us and the gospel.
The shield of faith (Eph. 6:16) protected the soldier and his armor. The Roman shield measured two feet by four feet and was so constructed that a row of soldiers could lock their shields together and form a wall. The enemy would shoot fiery arrows that would strike the shields and be extinguished. Satan shoots at us the fiery darts of fear, confusion, doubt, vicious criticism, false accusations, and outright lies and slander. Jesus was treated that way and so were the apostles. If these darts are not extinguished, the fire will spread and do terrible damage. Satan reminds us of our past sins and mistakes and tries to discourage us, but when we exercise faith in God’s promises we win the victory (Rev. 12:7–12). “His faithful promises are your armor and protection” (Ps. 91:4 NLT). “And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4).
The helmet of salvation (Eph. 6:17). The Roman soldier’s helmet was made of bronze and covered his head and cheeks, not unlike the helmets we see on cyclists today. It isn’t enough for a soldier to have a protective shield; he must also protect his head and mind if he is to be an intelligent soldier. It isn’t difficult to see the spiritual lessons here. We must beware of the instability of a divided mind (James 1:8) and be like Jesus, who set His face to go to Jerusalem to die (Luke 9:51). We cannot serve two masters (Matt. 6:24). We must also beware of a deceived mind (2 Cor. 11:3), for Satan is a counterfeiter and makes every attempt to lure us away from the truth. As he did with Eve (Gen. 3), Satan first questions God’s Word (v. 1), then denies God’s Word (v. 4), and then substitutes his own lie (v. 5). It’s dangerous to have a doubtful mind (Luke 12:29) that is anxious and worried about the affairs of life. This often leads to a discouraged mind. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Paul calls the helmet “the hope of salvation,” because hope vanishes when we become discouraged and the future becomes dark and dangerous. Daily I must be in the Word of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform my mind so that I don’t reason as the world does.
The sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17) is the soldier’s weapon of both offense and defense. Hebrews 4:12 describes this spiritual sword:
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Lord uses the sword on unbelievers to convict them of sin and bring them to salvation (Acts 2:37–38), but He also uses it on His own children to impart what is right and remove what is wrong. Unlike a material sword, God’s Word never gets dull. It contains its own power and it imparts life instead of death! Our Lord used the Scriptures to defeat the devil in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1–11) and so may we when Satan tempts us today. “Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Ps. 119:11).
“Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” is a hymn we used to sing in Sunday School and youth meetings. The third verse says, “Put on the gospel armor / Each piece put on with prayer.” It is by faith that we put on the armor and it is by faith that we confront the enemy. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Report for Duty Daily
“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up” (Ps. 5:3). The word translated direct comes out of the Jewish priestly vocabulary and pictures the priest at the altar, arranging the wood and the pieces of the sacrifice. But it also has a military meaning: to deploy troops, to take your stand for the battle. It is used this way in 1 Samuel 17 to describe the giant Goliath “taking his stand” and defying Saul’s army. Each morning when I have my quiet time, I am like a priest bringing sacrifices to the Lord and also like a soldier reporting for the duties of the day. When I pray, I give God my burdens, and when I read the Word of God and meditate, He gives me my orders. Our Lord awakened early each morning to spend time alone with His Father before the crowds gathered (Isa. 50:4–6; Mark 1:35), and this is a good example for us to follow. Resist the enemy.
Three times in Ephesians 6 Paul emphasizes that we must take a stand so that we may be able to withstand the evil one. Before the battle, we put on the armor of God that we may be able to stand (vv. 11, 13). Then we take our stand in the strength of the Lord and withstand the enemy. Having won, we continue to take our stand lest the enemy return and catch us unawares (v. 14). Paul warned Timothy that, if he wanted to please his Commander, he had better not get entangled with the world and become a double-minded soldier (2 Tim. 2:4).
It is the power of the Lord that sees us through and not our own strength, wisdom, and ability. Paul commands us to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10). How do we receive this power? By “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (v. 18). After their deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites confronted the Amalekites and defeated them because Moses, Aaron, and Hur were interceding on the mountain while Joshua and his men were wielding their swords down below. We not only put on the armor through prayer but we also use the equipment in battle through prayer.
Note that Paul admonishes us to “be watchful” in our praying (v. 18). We pray with our eyes wide open lest the enemy stage a sneak attack. When Nehemiah and his workers were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, their enemies threatened them, so the Jews prayed and set a watch (Neh. 4:7–9). If we do what we can, the Lord will do the rest. Jesus taught His disciples to “watch and pray” (Matt. 26:41; Mark 13:33; 14:38) and so did the apostle Paul in both Ephesians 6:18 and in Colossians 4:2. Devotion and discernment go together.
Be Mindful of Other Believers
Paul closed his epistle (Eph. 6:19–24) by admonishing the Ephesian believers to include him and his helpers in their prayers. Paul was a brilliant man, a godly man who had been to heaven and back, and yet he was humble enough to ask for their prayer support. All true believers are in this battle against Satan, and we need to pray for one another. “Resist him,” wrote Peter, “steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Pet. 5:9). Have you noticed that the personal pronouns in the Lord’s Prayer are plural? It’s not “My Father” but “Our Father . . . our daily bread . . . our trespasses” and so on. We are part of a wonderful worldwide family and are obligated to pray for the brothers and sisters whose circumstances we know.
“It is foolish to underestimate the power of Satan, but it is fatal to overestimate it,” said missionary Ruth Paxson at the 1936 British Keswick conference. Christ has overcome Satan and will give us the victory if we are wearing the armor and trusting Him.