THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD

OUTLINE

I. THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE

II. THE BELT OF TRUTH

III. THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

IV. THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL

V. THE SHIELD OF FAITH

VI. THE HELMET OF SALVATION

VII. THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

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Lesson 1
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Christian Warfare
Ephesians 6:10-20

INTRODUCTION: The Christian life is a battle. To be a Christian, to walk worthy of the

vocation with which we are called, is no easy task. It demands constant vigilance and spiritual
strength. There are spirits of evil hovering about us, trying to obscure and pervert the truth, to
blind us to the effects of sin, to entangle us in subtle temptations and to fill our minds with
doubts and fears. If we had to fight those enemies alone, without the proper equipment and help
of God, we might well despair.

The devil is real, as are the “principalities and powers” at his command. But the
Christian will, if he desires, be thoroughly equipped to meet these foes with the armor which
God provides.

I. OUR SOURCE OF STRENGTH (Ephesians 6:10)

If Paul had merely said, “Be strong”, the command would have been meaningless. The
addition of “in the Lord, and the power of His might” gives us confidence. Human resources are
not enough. If we enter the conflict trusting our own strength, disaster will follow. As the
songwriter expressed it, “The arm of flesh will fail you, you dare not trust your own”. If we
recognize that Christ is “the Captain of our Salvation”, victory is assured (Hebrews 2:10). The
soldier fights with greater confidence when he is led by a commander who has always been
successful. To be “strong in the Lord” you must remember “the power of His might”. In other
words, look at Him and realize all the reserves of strength and power that are in Him (Matthew
28:18).

II. OUR ENEMIES (Ephesians 6:11b, 12)

Intelligence is a vital part of all military operations. An army must know about the
enemy’s strategy and strength. Paul leaves us no doubt about our spiritual enemies:
A. They are not flesh and blood. Our struggle is not with human beings. Man supplies
problems certainly, but they are the mere symptoms of the disease, the real cause is
deeper.
B. They are spiritual powers. What is the ultimate cause of our troubles? It is the devil
and his unseen forces and powers. The forces arrayed against us have three main
characteristics
1) They are powerful. Note especially the terms, “principalities”, “powers” and
“rulers”. These titles draw our attention to the power and authority they wield
(Ephesians 2:2).
2) They are wicked. Our spiritual enemies use their power destructively rather than
constructively. They are the world-wide rulers of this present darkness.

19
Lesson 1 (cont’d)

3) They are cunning. Paul speaks of “the wiles of the devil” (2 Corinthians 2:11;
11:13-15). Sometimes he roars like a lion, but more often is as subtle as a serpent (1
Peter 5:8; Genesis 3:1)

III. OUR EQUIPMENT (Ephesians 6:11a, 13)

How can we expect to stand against the assaults of such enemies? Only the power of
God and the proper spiritual equipment can defend and deliver us from the devil. In time of
war, the Defense Department constantly surveys its equipment. So must we. We are told to
“take” (it’s a gift from God) the armor and “put it on” (human responsibility). Why do we need
it? In order to “stand”. Otherwise we are devoid of protection and are sure to fall. The
equipment that is at our disposal is all spiritual (Ephesians 6:14-17). Spiritual enemies require
spiritual weapons to combat (2 Corinthians 10:3, 4).
CONCLUSION: Paul has no doubt about the outcome. He knows the devil is a defeated foe.
Are you sufficiently convinced that you are on the winning side?

1. The Christian life is not a battle and it is an easy task. True or False

2. Does God provide equipment for us to meet our enemies?

3. The phrase, “Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might” gives us what? And is that
important to you? Why?

4. What two things does Paul tell us about our enemies?

5. What is the ultimate cause of our troubles?

6. What three things does Paul say about these spiritual powers?

7. Sometimes the devil roars like a ____, but more often is as ____ as a _____.

8. How can we expect to stand against the assaults of such enemies?

9. What is the human responsibility concerning this armor?

10. Why do we need this armor?

11. What will happen if we don’t take this gift (armor) from God?

12. Do you see that we need spiritual weapons to combat a spiritual enemy?

13. Are you on the winning side? If so, praise God who gave us the victory.

20
Lesson #1
Answer Key
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Christian Warfare

1. False

2. Yes

3. a. Confidence
b. Yes
c. Because in Christ who never fails will strengthen us against the devil and we can
have the victory in our lives.

4. a. They are not flesh and blood

b. They are spiritual powers

5. The devil and his unseen forces and powers

6. a. They are powerful

b. They are wicked
c. They are cunning

7. Lion -- Subtle -- Serpent

8. By the power of God and His spiritual equipment, that He gives to every child of His.

9. Take it and put it on

10. To stand against the enemy

11. We will fall and be defeated by our enemies for we are unprotected.

12. Yes

13. Yes
Lesson 2
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Belt of Truth
Ephesians 6:14

INTRODUCTION: At the time Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he was chained by the wrist to a
Roman soldier (Ephesians 6:20). Night and day he was there to ensure that Paul would not
escape. As he writes, the soldier’s armor suggests a picture to him. He sees the six main pieces
of a soldier's equipment - belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword. The Christian too -
has his armor; and part by part, Paul takes the armor of the Roman soldier and translates it into
Christian terms.
The first piece of equipment in the armor of God which the Apostle Paul mentions is the
girdle of truth. A strong girdle or belt was a necessary part of the uniform of a soldier in the
Roman army. Usually made of leather, the soldier’s belt gathered his tunic (long or short
garment) and also held his sword. It ensured that he was unimpeded when marching. As he
buckled it on, it gave him a sense of strength and confidence. Belts still do. To “tighten one's
belt” can mean not only to accept a time of austerity during a money or food shortage, but also
to prepare oneself for action, which the ancients would have called “girding up their loins”.

The Christian soldier’s belt is “truth”. But what is it to gird one’s loins with truth?

I. IT IS A DESIRE TO KNOW THE TRUTH

To have your loins girt with truth means that your single-eyed aim is to find out what is
true, cost what it may, lead where it will. Truth is basic to all other considerations.
For the Christian, truth begins and ends with God (Deuteronomy 32:4, John 14:6,17).
Falsehood begins and ends with Satan (John 8:44). God has revealed the truth about Himself
and His creation in His Word. To know the truth means that we are set free (John 8:31, 32). We
are liberated from foolish ideas about the: 1) origin of things; where we come from and the 2)
purpose of our existence on this planet; why are we here? 3) We are free from uncertainty
as to our destiny after this life; where are we going. 4) The Spirit of truth is with us and He
will guide us through the maze of conflicting opinions (John 16:13). 5) The church is also the
standard-bearer of truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

II. IT IS A WILLINGNESS TO LIVE ACCORDING TO TRUTH

There is an inseparable connection between faith and practice - between knowing
the truth and doing the truth. Once the Word of God has taken root in our hearts, the effect is
seen in the fruits of a holy sincere life (John 17:17). This integrity shows itself in the courtroom
where a person refuses to perjure himself and also in the business and social circles where he
refuses to compromise himself (Genesis 39:7-9). To have one’s loins girt with truth is to have
one’s whole nature held together by integrity.

Lesson 2 (cont’d)

III. IT IS A PASSION TO PROCLAIM THE TRUTH

 Here we mean, not merely telling the truth as opposed to falsehood, but communicating
the good news that Jesus is the truth, the way to God. To proclaim the Word, whether written
(the Bible) or living (Jesus Christ) is to proclaim the truth. As John the Baptist bare witness to
the truth, so must we (John 5:33).

CONCLUSION: One disturbing feature of our day is that so many people are not sufficiently
sensitive to truth to detect false teaching and religious charlatans. We must school ourselves in
truth. We must cultivate the love of truth until false things repel us (Philippians 4:8).

1. Where do you think Paul might have gotten the idea of the Christian soldier’s armor?

2. The Christian soldier’s belt is what?

3. What is the Christian’s single-eyed aim?

4. The truth begins and ends with whom?

5. Where does falsehood come from?

6. List five things that truth will liberate from foolish ideas?
a. b. c.
d. e.

7. What happens when the Word of God has taken root in our hearts?

8. When we proclaim the Word and Jesus Christ we are proclaiming what?

9. What one disturbing feature of our day that so many people are? And what can a Christian do
about it?
Lesson #2
Answer Key
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Belt Of Truth

1. When he was chained to the Roman soldier.

2. Truth

3. To find out what is true

4. God

5. Satan

6. a. Where we come from

b. Why are we here
c. Where are we going
d. Conflicting opinions
e. The standard-bearer of truth

7. We would produce fruits of a holy and sincere Christian life

8. The truth

9. a. Not sufficiently sensitive to truth to detect false teaching and religious charlatans
b. School ourselves in truth and cultivate the love of truth until false things repel us
Lesson 3
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Breastplate Of Righteousness
Ephesians 6:14

INTRODUCTION: The second piece of equipment which Paul mentions is “the breastplate of
righteousness”. The soldier of that time wore a breastplate or a coat of mail. The breastplate
generally extended from the base of the neck to the upper part of the thighs. The purpose of this
piece of armor was to protect the vital organs and especially the heart, which is the most vital of
all. In spiritual warfare the heart is treated by the Bible as the seat of the emotions and the
center of life’s dynamic forces. The writer of Proverbs stressed the importance of the heart
(Proverbs 4:23).
The Apostle Paul also knew that the feelings and affections play a prominent part in our
life. The devil knows that too, and is ready to play on them and use them to serve his own
wicked ends and purposes.
Let us consider “the breastplate of righteousness” and how it will protect us against “the
wiles of the devil”.

I. WHAT THIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IS

We must remember that Paul is talking about “the armor of God” and not the armor of
man. It is for our protection, but it is not something we have designed or devised. To be
righteous means more than merely to be good. It means to stand justified before the law of God.
The very opposite of this is the condition of the whole world before God (Romans 3:19,
22-23). How then can it ever be that sinners can be just before God? Scriptures reveal the plan.
1) The law had certain claims upon man and man violated those claims, hence he incurred the
penalty of death (Romans 5:12). 2) But God provided a substitute who met all the claims of the
law (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18). 3) Those who believe in Jesus are thus accounted and
dealt with as righteous for His sake. This is called “justification”, and it is said to be through
Jesus Christ (Acts 13:38, 39)

When this transaction takes place, a change is said to occur. Not only do we have a new
standing with God--we are sons rather than aliens--we have new desires and aspirations (2
Corinthians 5:17). Without this change we cannot have the principle of righteousness within us.
Once the fountain has been made good, the streams will also be good. A good tree will bring
forth good fruit (Matthew 7:16-20). Our actions reflect what we are inwardly. If our hearts
have been cleansed and made holy by the blood of the Lamb, we soon reflect this in our social
and business activities. The love of neighbor, the golden rule, the law of equity will guide us in
all our contacts with our fellow-creatures. This righteousness is effected by the sanctifying
influence of the Holy Spirit. He forms the soul anew (“born of the Spirit”), and He carries on
His holy work to its victorious consummation (Philippians 1:6). Such then is the righteousness
which is to be the breastplate of the Christian soldier.

Lesson 3 (cont’d)

II. THE PROTECTION IT PROVIDES

A. This righteousness is of essential and vital importance when we are exposed to
 the accusations of Satan. Satan is represented in Scriptures as accusing the saints before
God (Revelation 12:10). The righteousness of Christ which has been imputed to us
through faith in His shed blood gives us an acceptable state before God and thwarts the
enemy’s attacks.
B. It gives peace of mind by removing the condemnation of conscience. We have the
internal peace of God which passes all understanding (Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7).
Thus our emotional life is stabilized.

CONCLUSION: We have seen that we are justified through Christ’s perfect righteousness
which results in positive behavioral changes. It is of the utmost importance that we see the
fallacy of self righteousness and how foolish it is to trust in it. Also, the way we “put on” this
marvelous protective device God has graciously made available to us to repel the fiery darts of
the wicked one.

1. What is the most vital of all organs and should it be protected?

2. Who knows that our feelings play a prominent part of our lives and uses them for his evil and
wicked ways?

3. What does righteousness mean?

4. What happened when man violated the law of God?

5. Who met all the claims of the law?

6. Justification comes through Whom and how?

7. What are the two new things we get the moment we receive Christ?

8. List the two ways righteousness provides protection for the saints.

9. What brings to the saved a “positive behavioral change”?

10. It is of the utmost importance that we see the _______ of ________-___________ and how
it is ____________ to ____________ in it.
Lesson #3
Answer Key

THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD

The Breastplate Of Righteousness

1. Heart - Yes

2. The devil

3. To stand justified before the law of God

4. He (man) incurred the penalty of death

5. Christ

6. a. Christ
b. By believing in Him as Savior

7. a. New standing with God -- we are His children

b. We have a new desire and aspirations

8. a. When Satan makes his accusations toward the saints before God we are made
righteous by faith in Christ’s blood.
b. It gives peace of mind by removing the condemnation of conscience.

9. Justified through Christ’s perfect righteousness

10. Fallacy - Self-righteousness - Foolish - Trust

Lesson 4
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Shoes Of The Gospel
Ephesians 6:15

INTRODUCTION: Battles have sometimes been lost by inadequate footwear. Swords and
helmets lose their effectiveness if the soldier is footsore or slowed by ill-fitting boots. A soldier
for whom every step is a drudgery is not likely to win battles.
Paul probably has in mind here the “half-boot” of the Roman legionary which was made
of leather, left the toes free, and heavy studded soles and were tied to the ankles and shins with
ornamental straps. These equipped him for long marches and for a solid stance. While they did
not impede his mobility, they prevented his foot from sliding.
This third piece of armor which has reference to the feet, reminds us that the entire
person is engaged in this Christian warfare. One might be tempted to feel at first that the feet
are relatively unimportant. However healthy your heart may be, and however skillful you may
be with a weapon, if you get wounded in your feet, or if you slip and fall in the battle, you will
be easy prey for your enemy. A word the Apostle emphasizes in this description of our enemy
and the armor that will protect us shows the importance of the feet. It is the word “stand”,
“withstand” (Ephesians 6:11, 13-14). After all, you stand on your feet, not on your head. Much
then depends on the safety, comfort and mobility of the feet.
So we come to consider what must be done about the feet. What we are told is; “Have
your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”.

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF PREPARATION

Before a battle is fought, there must be time of preparation. The word “preparation” as it
is used in verse 15, means not only 1) to make plans ahead of time, but 2) to be ready at any
time to confront the world with the gospel. Paul expressed his readiness to preach the gospel
even to those cultured inhabitants of the imperial city of Rome (Romans 1:15). The Apostle
Peter spoke with urgency of the need to be ready to proclaim our faith to all who inquire
concerning it (1 Peter 3:15).

Just how do we make such preparation? To be skillful in any endeavor takes time and
patience. Rome was not built in a day, and preparation for this greatest of all tasks requires the
best we have to offer. Again, we must remember that Paul is describing the “armor of God”,
which means that He supplies it. This part of the armor, like all the other pieces, is spiritual (2
Corinthians 10:4). However, there are some things we can do to contribute to this preparation:
1) Pray, 2) Meditate on the Word of God, 3) Assemble with God’s people in the church
and 4) Study those who are proficient in leading others to Christ (Matthew 4:19).
Lesson 4 (cont’d)

II. THE MESSAGE WE ARE TO PROCLAIM

It is described simply as “the gospel”. This word comes from an old English word,
“godspell” which means good tidings. As it is used in the Bible, it means the good news that
Jesus is the promised Messiah, and that, through His death, burial and resurrection, He has
become the hope of salvation for sinful humanity (1 Corinthinans. 15:1-14).

III. THE EFFECT OF ACCEPTING THE MESSAGE

It is called “the gospel of peace” because only in accepting such a message can we be at
peace with God (Romans 4:23; 5:1). Not only does it make right our broken relationship with
God, it creates within us an inner peace, which in turn helps mend relationships with our fellow
creatures. No wonder Paul spoke of the beautiful feet of those who preach “the gospel of peace”
(Romans 10:14, 15).

CONCLUSION: The devil fears and hates the gospel, because it is God's power to rescue
people from his tyranny, both we who have received it and those with whom we share it. So we
need to keep our gospel shoes strapped on.

1. How have battles sometimes been lost?

2. What did Paul probably have in mind in describing the gospel shoe?

3. Is the right kind of foot-wear really that important? if so Why?

4. What two definition are given to the word "preparation"?

5. What 2 men said they were ready and prepared to preach the gospel?

6. Who supplies the armor?

7. God supplies, but how can we contribute to this preparation?

8. The word gospel comes from an old English word "godspell" which means?

9. Why is it also called "the gospel of peace"?

10. Those that preach the gospel of peace have what as feet?
Lesson #4
Answer Key
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Shoes Of The Gospel

1. Inadequate foot-wear

2. A Roman soldier’s “half-boot”

3. a. Yes
b. If you slip and fall in battle, you become easy prey for the enemy

4. a. Make plans ahead of time

b. Be ready at any time to confront the world with the gospel

5. a. Paul
b. Peter

6. God

7. a. Prey
b. Meditate on God’s Word
c. Assemble with God’s people in church
d. Study those who are leading others to Christ

8. Good tidings

9. Only in accepting such a message can we have peace with God

10. Beautiful feet

Lesson 5
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Shield Of Faith
Ephesians 6:16

INTRODUCTION: When the Apostle Paul instructed his Christian converts at Ephesus to put
on the whole armor of God, he was not offering it as a protection against bodily dangers. It had
not preserved him from physical perils (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). If bodily protection were the
purpose of God’s armor, then Paul was a poor demonstration of its value. But the apostle was
primarily concerned about arming the mind and spirit. To that end, he offered the belt of truth,
the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel and now as the fourth piece of
equipment in the armor of God, he offers the shield of faith.
The shield here indicated is not the small round shield used by the Greeks. It is the large
body-shield measuring about four by two and a half feet; big enough to protect the whole body
from missiles and blows. It consisted of two layers of wood glued together and covered first
with linen and then with hide. It was bound with iron above and below. It was especially
designed to put out the dangerous incendiary missiles (“fiery darts”) then in use. Darts or arrows
were dipped in pitch which was then lit and fired. Satan’s darts, says Paul, are not only stopped
but extinguished when met by the shield of faith.

I. THE DANGER WE FACE

The devil is the one referred to as “the wicked”. He is preeminently the wicked one. In a
previous verse we are warned about “spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). The
devil is the originator of the wickedness in heaven as well as the successful propagator of
wickedness upon earth. His evil intentions are directed toward mankind, and especially towards
believers (1 Peter 5:8). He is our incessant adversary.
What are his “fiery darts”? They are the temptations directed towards us by the devil.
They come upon us suddenly, unexpectedly, as darts and arrows. Fiery darts were often sent
into the enemy’s camp or city to set it on fire. The devil’s darts are intended to set us on fire
with lust, envy, hatred, pride, slander, doubt, jealousy and a host of other evils (James 3:6).
They especially insinuate that God is not faithful, He has forsaken us, He is unjust, He does not
answer prayer.
Lesson 5 (cont’d)

II. THE DEFENSE WE NEED

We have already seen that the shield Paul has in mind was for the defense of the whole
person. In the Scriptures we read of three shields for the protection of the godly person.

A. The Lord God is our shield (Genesis 15:1 Psalms 28:7).

B. The Truth or Holy Scriptures is a shield (Psalms 5:12).
C. Faith is said to be our shield "Above all", Paul says, "take the shield of faith". This
speaks of the indispensable quality of faith. Other Christian virtues, hope, love, humility,
etc. , exist only as they are defended and supported by faith. "The just shall live by
faith", we are often reminded in Scriptures (Romans 1:17). Without faith we cannot
please God (Hebrews 11:6).

III. THE DEPENDABILITY OF THE WEAPON WE USE

There is one sure way to “quench” the devil's fiery darts, and that is by the shield of
faith. When the devil suggests that God has forgotten us or will leave us, faith rests upon the
promises (Luke 12: 6,7; Hebrews 13:5). "Faith, mighty faith”, the promise sees and looks to
that alone; laughs at impossibility and cries, "it shall be done".

CONCLUSION: Learn how faith may be strong and victorious. It must feed upon and be
nourished by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

1. Will the armor of God protect you from body danger?

2. What will the armor of God protect?

3. How big is this shield and its design to protect what?

4. Is the shield of faith design to protect all of you and from what?

5. The fiery darts of Satan are intended to set us on fire with?

6. These fiery darts especially insinuate that God is not __________, He has ___________ us,
He is ___________, He does not _________ prayer.

7. What three shields do we have to protect us?

8. What is the sure way to “quench” the fiery darts of the devil?

9. Faith feeds and grows upon what? and do you think, if this is true then should a person spend
a lot of time in the Word of God? Do you?
Lesson #5
Answer Key
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Shield Of Faith

1. No

2. Mind and spirit

3. a. 4 x 2 ½ ft.
b. The whole body

4. a. Yes
b. The fiery darts of Satan

5. Lust, envy, hatred, pride, slander, doubt, jealousy and host of other evils

6. Faithful, forsaken, unjust, answer

7. a. God
b. Truth or Bible
c. Faith

8. Faith -- resting in God’s Word of promises

9. a. The Word of God

b. Yes
Lesson 6
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Helmet of Salvation
Ephesians 6:17

INTRODUCTION: In our study of the Whole Armor of God, we now come to the helmet.
Here is one piece of equipment still used in modern warfare. Breastplates and shields may be of
little use in today’s fighting, but helmets are still important.
The Roman soldier’s helmet was usually made of tough metal like bronze or iron. An
inside lining of felt or sponge made the weight bearable. Nothing short of an axe or hammer
could pierce a heavy helmet and in some cases a hinged visor added frontal protection. Helmets
are decorative as well as protective, and some had magnificent plumes or crests.
The helmet was used to defend the head. No part of the Christian is more exposed than
his head. This being the case, the means of defense here is of the utmost importance. As faith is
to be the shield, so salvation is to be the helmet.

I. THE PAST TENSE OF SALVATION

The theme of Scriptures from beginning to end is salvation. In the Biblical sense,
salvation is in three tenses: past, present and future. First, we will consider the past tense of
salvation. The Christian is a person who has been saved (John 5:24). He is no longer under the
law (Romans 6:14, 15). He is justified by faith (Romans 5:1). He has “passed from death unto
life”. He will never come into condemnation.

II. THE PRESENT TENSE OF SALVATION

There are some who speak of salvation as a life-time process of doing good. Those who
follow such teachings never can be certain of present tense salvation; for a salvation based upon
works means (according to their belief) that one must wait until good works are weighed against
bad at the judgment before knowing of one’s standing with God. If asked, “Are you saved ?”,
they cannot answer “Yes”. They can only say, “I hope to be one day”.
We are not saved by “working for the Son”, but by “believing on the Son” (John 3:36).
In this verse, the word “hath” is present tense, meaning that we can be assured, here and now,
that we are children of God, heirs of heaven (1 John 3:2).
We must also understand that the Christian is one who is being saved. He is not perfect,
but there is a work going on in him. This is the process of sanctifying and cleansing that Paul
speaks of (Ephesians 5:25, 26).
Lesson 6 (cont’d)

III. THE FUTURE TENSE OF SALVATION

Believers are destined one day to be absolutely perfect, free from sin, free from all traces
of evil, “without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Ephesians 5:27). This is the ultimate in
salvation. We shall be glorified, we shall be like Christ. Our bodies shall be changed and
“fashioned like unto His glorious body” (Philippians 3:20, 21). This is what Paul had in mind
by the expression “the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

CONCLUSION: “Putting on the helmet of salvation” means that when you are attacked by the
devil and he says, “There is nothing to it, you can’t hold out, you may as well give up”, you
answer by saying, “No, I know that I am saved, I have the gift of eternal life and my Father who
is greater than you and all your evil cohorts put together, has promised to protect me until the
end” (John 10:28, 29). No one shall ever be able to pluck us out of the hand of the Son and
hand of the Father. “If God be for us, who can be against us ?” (Romans 8:31, 38, 39). Let the
enemy do his worst. He can never separate us from the love of God. That is “the helmet of
salvation”.

1. What part of a Christian is exposed more than the other parts?

2. The helmet is to protect what?

3. What is the theme of the Scriptures from beginning to end?

4. The past tense of salvation means what?

5. The present tense of salvation means what?

6. Do you “work for the Son” to be saved or “believe on the Son” to be saved?

7. The believer is destined to what one day?

8. What does it mean “putting on the helmet of salvation”?

9. Can Satan, his cohorts, or anyone else separate us from the love of God? Who says they
can’t?
Lesson #6
Answer Key
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Helmet of Salvation

1. The head

2. The head

3. Salvation

4. He “Has” been saved

5. We are saved “Now”, this very moment

6. Believe on the Son

7. To absolute perfection

8. Claiming the promises of God that He says He would never leave us and protect us until the
end

9. a. No
b. God Himself
Lesson 7
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Sword of the Spirit
Ephesians 6:17

INTRODUCTION: The last piece of the Christian soldier’s equipment is the “sword of the
spirit, which is the Word of God”. The first five parts of the armor are for the protection of the
wearer. The girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel, the shield
of faith, the helmet of salvation -- all these are designed for defense. The sword is a weapon not
only for defensive use, but for offensive action as well. The Christian is called to withstand evil
and also to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). The Word of God is our defense,
and by it we are able to vanquish all our enemies.

I. THE SWORD DESCRIBED

A. It is “the Word of God”. The Word of God consists of Old and New
Testaments. In these 66 books holy men were directed to record the very words of God
(2 Peter 1:12). How exciting to think that we have a book which reveals who God is and
how we may please Him. In the Bible our duties are specified, our privileges
exhibited, our blessings announced.
B. It is “the sword of the Spirit”. In other words, it is the production of the Spirit:
not the word of man, but the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It is the instrument which
the Holy Spirit makes use of in accomplishing His purposes. It is by the Word the Spirit
convinces of sin (John 16:7-11). It is by the Word the Spirit converts and regenerates
(2 Peter 1:23). It is by the Word the Spirit sanctifies and builds up (Acts 20:32). The
Spirit alone enables us to understand this Word (1 Corinthians 2:9-12). Nothing and no
one can enable us to interpret the Scriptures in a spiritual manner apart from the Spirit of
God Himself.
II. WHEN THE SWORD IS TO BE UTILIZED
A. Satan’s assaults are to be resisted by the Sword of the Spirit. Our Lord’s use
of this sword on three occasions when tempted in the wilderness, serves as an example to
us (Matthew 4:3-10).
B. The world's attacks are to be overcome by the Sword of the Spirit. The
hymn writer warned. “This world is no friend to grace to help us on to God”. All that is
in the world, “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life”, is too much
to cope with unless we skillfully employ the Sword of the Spirit.

III. HOW TO EFFECTIVELY HANDLE IT

Cultivate an intimate acquaintance with it (2 Timothy 2:15). Read it; meditate often on
its promises and commands. Let it dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16). Be mighty in the
Scriptures (Acts 18:24).
Lesson 7 (cont’d)

CONCLUSION: This is the one weapon of attack in the armor of God. Against it there is no
defense (Hebrews 4:12). In the Old Testament God speaks of slaying His disobedient people by
the words of His mouth (Hosea 6:5). When John, in the Revelation, sees the Conqueror whose
name is called “The Word of God”, the sharp sword which proceeds from His mouth for the
smiting of the nations is that same powerful utterance which speaks with all the authority of
heaven (Revelations 9:13, 15). No word of man is capable of routing the spiritual hosts of
wickedness, but they cannot stand their ground when God speaks. We are living in desperate
days when the enemy is trying to undermine your faith. “Take the sword of the Spirit”, use it
and wield it to His glory and praise.

1. What is the “sword of the Spirit”?

2. The first five parts of the armor are used for what?

3. The sword of the spirit is used as a what?

4. What kind of men were used to write the Bible?

5. The Holy Spirit uses what as an instrument in accomplishing His purposes?

6. What two ways the sword of the Spirit is to be utilized?

7. Is there any defense against the sword of the Spirit?

8. How many books does the Spirit use to defeat His enemies and to accomplish His purposes?
Lesson #7
Answer Key
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
The Sword of The Spirit

1. The Word of God

2. Protection of the wearer

3. Weapon of attack

4. Holy men

5. The Word of God, the sword

6. To resist and overcome Satan and the world’s assaults and attacks upon the believer.

7. No

8. 66