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The subject of Spiritual Warfare has filled volumes, so please know this article is just an introduction. The key take away is that GOD has NOT left Believers without any tools to battle “unseen forces”. Many Christians have no problem believing in the supernatural events detailed in the Bible. However, because of our “modern” western-mindset there seems to be a disconnect regarding supernatural events today. Many Christians think they need to water-down the Biblical concepts about the supernatural or unseen realm. My research has shown that many movers and shakers throughout the world not only believe in the supernatural realm but practice various forms of occult rituals trying to manipulate other forces than the GOD of the Holy Bible. It is critical that all Believers learn about these powerful tools and not just the mature Christian. The Book of Ephesians (found in the New Testament part of the Bible) is a letter from the Apostle Paul to all Believers many who were newly converted. Scholars have referred to Ephesians as Paul's “Queen of Letters” his if you will “Christianity 101”. At the end of his letter he includes teachings about Spiritual Warfare introducing the Armor of GOD by using as an example the well familiar imagery of a Roman soldier which his readers would totally relate to.

The following is a two-part sermon series on “The Full Armor of GOD” focusing on just some of the tools that GOD has given us to use in our “Spiritual Warfare”. May the Holy Spirit guide you, dear reader, in all TRUTH! Amen!

Our Key Verse Today is taken from Ephesian 6:10 the last chapter of the book.
- Be strong with the LORD's mighty power.

FATHER, may the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart be pleasing to YOU this morning. May I share what you want shared. May ears be open including mine to hear YOUR Holy Spirit. Have YOUR way in this place today. We bind anything that would exalt itself over YOUR will for each soul listening, I ask in The Name Above All Names, JESUS CHRIST, YOUR Beloved Son! Amen.
Last week we talked about the Believer's Toolbox and I mentioned the 7 pieces of GOD's Armor.
- Today we are going to talk about these powerful tools that GOD has given every Believer in JESUS.
  - These tools are listed at the end of the book of Ephesians.
    - The last chapter which is six, starting in verse 10 reading through to verse 20. These ten verses are some of the most powerful and important verses in the Bible in my opinion.
There are seven tools/weapons listed here in. We'll examine verse 10-13 today and the rest next Sunday in this two-part series on the Armor of GOD.
Like many of you with various tools, I may not use a particular tool for many months, but when I need it I hopefully can find it and get the job done! However, with the Armor of GOD I am convinced that Christians should use these tools daily or at the very least – weekly!
- Just like we don't walk around Maine all year long in shorts and sandals we put on warm gear in cold weather to protect us.
Finally, be strong in the LORD and in HIS mighty power. Put on the full armor of GOD so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
V12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of GOD, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of GOD.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
10 verses, 7 tools in GOD's toolbox for every BELIEVER. There have been volumes written on these ten verses. Sadly many Believers think these tools are a cute children's illustration and nothing more.
- I personally think that is exactly what the enemy of our soul wants us to think.
The Apostle Paul wrote this in the later years of his life after gaining much wisdom and GODly experience.
Now and then I do technology jobs that I get online. A few years back I went to the Baltimore Ravens Training Facility to fix a network problem. When my GPS took me to the address I thought I was in the wrong place, because all I saw were signs for "Under Armour". You know, the sports underwear company.
- The security guard at the gate confirmed the right address, but he only allowed me access after checking my ID and calling someone.
- That's what GOD's armor does for us! All the enemy sees are huge indications that GOD is here surrounding us Believers who put on HIS Armor! They see HIS under armor and over armor all held together with HIS omni-ALL power only allowing through the gates what HE allows!
  - Many firmly believe that the "The Full Armor of GOD" is more real than this screen you're looking at.
According to the first part of Ephesians, Paul states boldly that JESUS CHRIST and believers are seated in the heavenly places! Chapter 2, Verse 6
- Eph 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus!
- I'd say Paul must know because he was dead several times and GOD raised him up! I believe Paul saw and heard things in Heaven and is sharing one of these truths with us now.
- It's hard for us to comprehend being seated with CHRIST and still present in this physical realm. Yet the original language of Greek, that this letter was written in, Paul clearly tells us this is past tense. Hence, every Believer has a part of their soul/spirit person already seated in the Heavenly realm at this very moment!
  - Can you say Hallelujah! If you have sincerely confessed with your mouth that JESUS CHRIST is LORD and BELIEVED in your heart then you are SAVED. (past tense) (Romans 10:9)
  - Think on that for a few hours.
  - Maybe this will help...
    - Imagine one day, you get a knock on the door. Standing there is someone who says he's a lawyer. After showing you his credentials and verifying who you are, you are then told by the lawyer that he's representing your Uncle's Estate. And you are named a beneficiary of that estate. And you have inherited 2.5 million dollars!
    - Notice the lawyer said inherited (Past Tense) it's a done deal, Finished. PERIOD. Once the Uncle died then the will of the Uncle was activated!
      - You have the authority and right as beneficiary to use that 2.5 mil as you desire! You're a millionaire! You'll probably have to change your phone number!
      - The fact remains that hours or even days before the lawyer came knocking, you were already a millionaire! Because the Uncle was dead.
      - Now, let's imagine for a moment that you don't accept the inheritance. You refuse it. You tell the lawyer, get out, you don't want it, You're not convinced it's true. And you shut the door and go on with your life! So to legally to be disavowed from the inheritance you have to sign paperwork in front of witnesses!
        
        How many people do you know, who would refuse that kind of an inheritance?!!
        
        Yet - we see precious souls every day who have rejected the Beautiful incomprehensible gruesome work of the cross of CHRIST JESUS and HIS resurrection over death and HIS undisputed victory over the grave and the enemy of our souls!
        
        Sadly, the enemy has blinded so many.
        
        Maybe these precious souls were turned off because of so-called Christians not acting like CHRIST? Maybe they grew a hard heart because death took a loved one and they blamed GOD, when in fact it's the enemy that should be blamed!
So Paul is trying to get us, Believers, to understand, that even though we are still in this three dimensional reality. We are also at the same moment in time present in a very real dimension called the Kingdom of Heaven and by the decree of the Will of one dead Uncle JESUS! We are beneficiaries of said will! PERIOD. Past Tense. Done Deal. Finished!
The Armor of GOD is not a children's story but children can use it and take out the enemy. Many times the enemy will attack us at night during our sleep! This happens especially to children,
- The child will wake us up describing some horrible entity in their room. We dismiss it as a bad dream. Yet, in my research, only a very small percentage of these incidents are bad dreams.
- Only thieves sneak around and break in at night because they are cowards and don't want to get caught. The enemy is the same and uses the cloak of night to come and weak havoc in lives, picking on children and adults.
So let's dig into Ephesians 6:10
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in HIS mighty power.
- Paul is closing this wonderfully written letter. Many scholars think it's one of the finest documents in the Bible.
- Paul is stating a fact. - We as Believers can be strong in the LORD. And to do that we tap into HIS mighty power! Notice it's not our power, but it is GOD's power! In case you haven't realized it GOD is ALL Powerful and ALL knowing. HE knew the end of history before HE spoke this physical realm into existence. So HE knows it all! Since HE knows it all, do you think HE would create something or someone that could or would be stronger or smarter than HIM?
V11 - Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
- The first take away is that GOD has armor for us to put on! Paul compares this armor to a Roman soldier which is someone Paul most likely saw daily while in prison when he wrote this letter.
- 2ndly there is a devil and this entity (DIABOLOS in the Greek) which is not a name it's a title. It means “false accuser, slanderer”.
  - devil found 38 times in the New Testament.
- 3rdly it's important to know who the enemy is. We see this clearly demonstrated in the field of sports. Back in the day, when I was a kid, my Dad, a high school coach would travel many hours to see the competition play against other teams. He would film the game, write down notes about the best players, and look for any weaknesses. Then he would spend practice time teaching his ball players how to exploit these weaknesses on game day. Today's coach has it made, cause they can stream the opponent's games online!
  - Hunters are just as serious in knowing their prey. I know some who will spend many hours tracking the big one and getting to know it's patterns months before hunting season. Then they'll even put on various scents to hide theirs and smell like a doe!
  - Many Christians say they don't believe in the devil or satan. Well, that's their opinion but it doesn't change the fact that JESUS clearly speaks of a devil/deceiver and a satan/SATANAS which means accuser. JESUS mentioned it 33 times!
- The Apostle John, in the Book of Revelation (12:9 & 20:2) twice, will reference the devil and satan as the same entity and describes him as 'the great dragon, the ancient serpent' who will be bound by one angel for a thousand years! Then satan will be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur tormented for ever and ever. Can you say Hallelujah!
- The next take away from this verse is that the devil has schemes - plans to trick us, trip us up, and trap us. So I say we pray the same thing against the enemy!
  - Pray something simple like this: "LORD, in JESUS Name I ask that you trick the enemy, trip the enemy up and trap the enemy regarding any plans against me and my loved ones! May the enemy fail it's assignment regarding me and my family!
    - Now one thing to realize the enemy can NOT be everywhere at once. Unlike GOD, The enemy is NOT all knowing. And the enemy is NOT all powerful. But at times the enemy can be more powerful than us mortals. What I just said can be vetted using the Bible. But due to time we need to keep moving.
V12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
- The 1st take away is that we will struggle against the enemy. That original word STRUGGLE is only used this one time and means 'to vibrate/to wrestle'. Now many of you know that sound waves are vibrations. Christians should know that when we sing praises to GOD our songs cause vibrations in this realm and the unseen realm! Examples in the Bible are found in the Old Testament regarding the walls of Jericho and other battles.
- 2nd take away, we don't fight flesh & blood ie: humans, even though at times it seems like it. Our goal is to go to the root of power and that is non-human entities. They are like puppet masters who have humans on strings of control through 'access points'... The Bible calls these TOPONS in the Greek.
- 3rd take away - Paul lists 4 non-human entities. We don't have enough time to get into who these are or what they are. But Paul believes them to be real and so do I.
  - The first non-human entity that Paul references is Rulers - Greek - ARCHE or plural ARCHONS. These entities have power over a principality or geographical area in our physical realm. There are two kinds of ARCHE. Some serve GOD and some don't.
  - The second type of non-human entity is Powers - Greek - EXOUSIA. Which means force, area of authority or jurisdiction, legal rights. The Bible list both good/bad exousia
  - The third type of non-human entity are “World Forces” - Greek – KOSMOKRATOR. This word is only used this one time and means "world rulers".
    - The Bible in Deuteronomy 32 refers to GOD having a counsel of beings that HE created called the "Divine Counsel". It would take much time to go into the various Bible passages that vet this fact out. But essentially GOD gave these beings rulership over the nations keeping the seed of Jacob for HIMself. These little 'g' god's rebelled wanting to be worshiped. Many scholars believe this might be the demi-gods of old. The fact that many nations, including ours, pay tribute in the form of buildings/temples to these demi-gods should give us a huge clue.
  - The fourth type of non-human entity are “Spiritual Forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” These entities are not in the Heaven where GOD dwells but they are in another unseen realm they can infect, effect, and affect our physical realm. These may be the offspring that were created as the result of Genesis 6 and destroyed in the global flood recorded in Genesis. Now these once supernatural/humans roam the earth as demons.
    - Sorry if that was a spoonful! It would take a hours to dissect all this info and I don't begin to claim that I understand it all. We should educate ourselves, because then fear of the unknown decreases and faith in WHOSE and WHO we are increases!
    - Keep in mind
      - The greatest trick the enemy ever pulled is to get us to think that the enemy doesn't exist.
      - The 2nd greatest trick is to think that GOD doesn't exist.
V13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
- 1st take away GOD's armor is something we put on.
- 2nd take away - the day of evil will come. Paul doesn't say IF, but WHEN
- 3rd take away - we may stand our ground AFTER we have done everything to stand!
  - What is "DONE everything" refer to? Note it's past tense..
    - Well the rest of the chapter tells us how to Stand firm...
      - Paul goes on to list the 7 pieces of GOD's armor that help us to stand firm!
      - Which we'll cover next Sunday.
- How often do we put it on?
  - Back in the 1600's a Pastor William Gurnall wrote a book.
    - He claims that Believers should continually put on the Armor and the only time it's taken off is...
      - When JESUS takes it off to put on our Crown of Glory!
  - I personally put on a piece of armor each day. So in 7 days I've put on the 7 pieces. Therefore each week I do it again.
    - I do so for my family and loved ones as Patriarch and pray certain prayers coming against the enemy.
    - When we go into a motel room for the night, we'll take authority over the room binding all rituals done there and putting any curses under the blood of JESUS.
  - I know of deliverance pastors who put it on morning and night cause they are in the trenches.
- So next Sunday we'll cover Part 2 - taking each piece of Armor including the 7th piece that is often overlooked. And that is Prayer!

Thoughts to ponder... If Paul is talking about 4 very real entities then isn't plausible that the Armor of GOD is very real?

Since we can sin/make mistakes then how can habitual sin in our private life effect the Armor of GOD?

"Full Armor of GOD - Part 2"
- FATHER, may the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart be pleasing to YOU this morning. May I share what you want shared. May ears be open including mine to hear YOUR Holy Spirit. Have YOUR way in this place today. We bind anything that would exalt itself over YOUR will for each soul listening, I ask in The Name Above All Names, JESUS CHRIST, YOUR Beloved Son! Amen.
- Good morning! Last week we covered the first four verses of the Armor of GOD. Let's do a quick review.
  - GOD's Armor are tools for every Believer.
  - GOD's Armor is very real.
  - It's not our armor it's GOD's armor.
  - GOD's Armor is used as a force field to protect us against a very real enemy.
    - HE encircles us in the spiritual realm as well as the physical realm.
  - GOD's Armor not only protects but can be used to progress against the enemy.
  - The Apostle Paul believed in a very real unseen realm with real spiritual entities
    - He listed four of these entities and stated that our battle should engage them
      - This way we can stand when the day of evil comes.
    - Note the battle mainly takes place in the unseen realm but can enter our realm.
  - GOD's Armor are HIS tools in every Believer's Toolbox found here at the end of Ephesians.
    - Ten verses, Seven tools, with One goal
      - Which is:
        
        To frequently put GOD's Armor on to squelch our sin nature and the enemy of our soul.
        
        Why do it often?
        
        Because, like a soldier, the armor gets chinked and needs to be cleaned. As a Believer the world rubs off on us and this can clog our mind and distract our purpose. Praying on the armor is a conscious act of our Will to submit to GOD's Will and re-focus on the enemy of our soul. We as head of our homes have the authority to place this armor on us and our loved ones.
- Let's read starting with our theme verse 10...
  - Finally, be strong in the LORD and in HIS mighty power. Put on the full armor of GOD so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
  - V12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of GOD, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
  - v14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace.
  - v16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of GOD.
  - v18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
  - v19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
  - Years ago, Fall of 2006/7 our family was here in Searsport scheduled to do the annual Festival of Light on the evening of October 31st. Many of you helped with that year after year.
    - The day before we pulled into the parking lot with our bus and I started to run power cables to the bus from the church and the parsonage.
      - I found an outlet behind the bush near the east corner of the church.
        
        I noticed some burnt paper on a rock with wax all over it that was hidden from view behind this bush.
        
        It was a church bulletin with a picture of our family on it announcing the upcoming event.
        
        I knew this was a curse that someone had done purposely at the cornerstone of this church
        
        I took authority over it in JESUS Name and broke any curses put upon the bulletin and rock.
        
        I then took the bulletin to Pastor and gave him a heads up.
        
        He informed some prayer warriors and we joined in coming against any evil from manifesting during the Festival of Light and our family.
      - It dawned on us that someone had to come inside the church to get the bulletin and probably was a witch since we knew there was a coven in the area.
        
        We asked GOD to move on this person(s) heart and show them that HE is a GOD of love
        
        and has power over the little-g gods that the occult serves.
    - The Festival of Light was a huge success with many salvations and lives touched deeply! Praise The LORD of Lord. Hopefully the very person(s) that put the curse at the corner of the church was at the event and saw the True King of Kings in a whole new light!
  - Evil is present all around us BUT we are not to fear these unseen entities, because of the triumphal work of the CROSS of JESUS CHRIST! Hallelujah!
- In Colossians 2:15 we read this... I really love how The Passion Translation...
  - Then JESUS made a public spectacle
    Of all the powers and principalities of darkness!
    Stripping away from them every weapon
    And all their spiritual authority
    And power to accuse us!
    And by the power of the cross
    JESUS led them around as prisoners
    In a procession of triumph!
    HE was not their prisoner; they were HIS!
    - Hallelujah!
- Here on the screen we have a Roman Soldier and you can see the various parts of armor
  - So let's pick up this week with Verse 14
- V14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place
  - Paul says we can stand firm against the Archons, Their legal powers, The World Rulers in the Unseen Realm, and the spiritual forces of wickedness again in the unseen realm. But only, IF, we put on GOD's Armor. Please note it's not our armor or our strength, but GOD's. This is all made possible through the victorious work of JESUS!
  - Paul now starts listing the 7 pieces of armor. The number 7 in the Bible as you may know is the number of completion.
  - In my opinion the first three pieces of armor are used to cover our sin-nature IE: our fallen flesh which is contrary to GOD. Paul in Romans 7:15 states "I do the very thing, that I do not want to do!" In other words his flesh is ruling and GOD is not. As Believers we bring our flesh under control through daily quiet times of prayer, time in GOD's Word, fasting, being accountable to other Believers, Bible Studies, regular church attendance and even physical exercising this flesh to beat it into submission.
    - So the 1st Piece of Armor, is The Belt of truth, buckled around our waist." We all know that a belt is used to hold things on our hips like our clothing and tools. The Roman Soldier whom Paul used as an example for the Armor of GOD had a belt to hold on his dagger, sword, other weapons along with his under garments.
      - Everything hangs off GOD's Belt of Truth! The original language says 'girded loins' rather than 'waist'. That word loin means 'hips or procreative power'. The ancients believed our emotions dwelled in the loins. So it makes sense that the first thing we do is wrap GOD's Truth around our emotions and hormones. We should pray, that GOD's TRUTH prevail over our perception of truth, especially in this day and age!
      - This world system would have you believe there is no truth but the one the mainstream media puts out. But, there is but one TRUTH in this world that is still true no matter how much the controllers of the narrative try to change it. It's the TRUTH found in the pages of an ancient guidebook to the supernatural, IE: The Holy Bible.
        
        So if we put GOD's truth around us, it will hold HIS armor on. But we have to know HIS truth. And to know it, we must spend time in HIS Word making HIS promises our own. Just like an athlete must spend many hours practicing their sport.
      - One truth to clearly put on is this: The kingdom of darkness is fueled by fear, and the Kingdom of Heaven is fueled by Love. We must not let fear take root in our lives when dealing with these evil entities.
        
        Hellywood also known as Hollywood has done much in the movie industry to foster fear on this topic.
    - The 2nd piece of Armor, is GOD's Breastplate of Righteousness. The Roman breastplate was one solid piece that went over the hands, head, then heart. I suggest that as we put this piece on we pray that GOD covers our sin-nature that rears it's ugly flesh through our hands, our head, and our heart! Since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, all humanity has sinned and fallen short of the Glory of GOD. (Romans 3:23) And we should pray that GOD cover our flesh with HIS righteousness so that we can bear fruit to honor HIM. Fruit that will last!
- V15 And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
  - The 3rd piece of armor is binding onto our feet GOD's Gospel of Peace.
  - These were boot-like shoes with chin-guards!
  - They even had cleats like today's athletes use, so they grip the ground to stand firm!
    - GOD's SHALOM is a supernatural Peace that passes all human understanding. We can walk through the day or night radiating HIS Shalom wherever we go!
    - So up until now, we are protecting ourselves from our flesh. Our fallen sin-nature which is part of every human being.
      - But thankfully one day, we as Believers will receive a new glorified body!
        
        I can't wait!
- V16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
  - The 4th piece of GOD's armor is GOD's supernatural shield of faith, which is like an impenetrable bubble that extinguishes ALL the attacks of the enemy. These are thoughts that hit us, trying to derail us, to tempt us, to send our minds to places we shouldn't go.
    - The Roman soldier had two types of shields, a small round one used in hand to hand combat and the 2nd type of shield was a large, rectangular one. It was used by squads of soldiers advancing on their objective.
    - They could use this large shield to make a wall over and around the squad to block all the flaming arrows from the enemy! The shields would have a leather covering that they would soak in water, so the enemy's flaming arrows would be extinguished! The Greek word Paul uses here for shield is the larger shield. So it's quite possible GOD wants us to fight the enemy in squads as a family, as husband & wife, as a church body.
      - We are to agree in prayer and come against the specific efforts of the enemy!
- V17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
  - The 5th piece of armor is the helmet of salvation
    - Elsewhere in Scripture we are told the helmet of salvation is the "mind of CHRIST"
    - Salvation is more than an insurance policy; it's an ever growing, knowledge of WHO & WHOSE we are in CHRIST!
    - The helmet covers our eyes, ears, neck, nose, brain, and mouth
      - We should ask GOD to help us see, hear and discern all that HE would have us understand.
        
        And that we would speak, what HE wants spoken, in our prayers against the enemy.
      - I further suggest that the helmet protects the neck and JESUS said to take HIS yoke upon us for HIS yoke is easy and HIS burden is light.
        
        A yoke is placed on the neck of one submitting to the other side of the yoke.
        
        The yoke of JESUS is easy because HE guides us, shouldering the bulk of the work!
  - The 6th piece of GOD's armor is the "Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of GOD"
    - The Roman soldier as you can see here had two type of swords
      - A big one and a small one like a dagger.
      - The large sword was used when the enemy was a few feet away and the soldier could swing the sword with massive momentum.
      - But the dagger was used for close up hand to hand wrestling and used when precision was needed to deal a death blow to the enemy. The dagger was also used for stealth-like maneuvers in the black of night.
        
        Paul uses the Greek word for dagger, the smaller sword, here in Verse 17.
    - This implies that we are to use the Word of GOD for precision, stealth-like wrestling against the enemy.
      - Recall, that JESUS used the Word of GOD every time when dealing with the devil in the Wilderness
        
        This true account is found in 3 of the 4 Gospels in the Bible and was a very real encounter
        
        Every time JESUS countered the enemy HE said, "It is written..."
    - We need to know, that we know, that we know, that GOD's Word, is ALL powerful, to the destruction of strongholds!
      - That's why we need to know HIS Word, memorize power verses, and believe it! To some, it's just words on a page but to those who fully put their TRUST in GOD's Word, it becomes a force to reckon with! For GOD at any moment in time can give those words on a page power when the Spirit of the Living GOD in EVERY Believer is activated by the Words spoken long ago! That's why we can't go wrong when we pray GOD's Word over our lives and the lives of our loved ones.
      - Words have power not just meaning! If the CREATOR that spoke our physical realm into existence & gives humanity power to create using our spoken words, then we can confidently pray, using GOD's Words to be our words adding exponential strength in fighting the enemy! So we say, IT IS WRITTEN! The word of GOD is my Sword that I use in the spirit realms to defeat the enemy regarding any situation! Hallelujah!
- Almost done. V18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
  - Here's the 7th piece of GOD's armor. Prayer!
    - Paul doesn't equate this with a piece of Roman armor but as you can see from the picture of the soldier, we haven't talked about the spear or javelin. As you know the spear could be thrown from a distance at the enemy. Prayer is exactly like the javelin! We can use it to engage the enemy from a distance, even from another continent!
  - Perhaps this piece of armor is the most powerful!
    - Because we unite in agreement with GOD, the dreaded champion warrior of all time and space! For HE is outside of time and space and through HIM we can fight outside of time and space stepping into the unseen realms to reek havoc as the Spirit of the Living GOD directs us! Hallelujah!
    - Pauls says to "Pray in the Spirit"
      - This implies that if one has the Gift of Tongues then one should use it in battling the enemy. Since the Holy Spirit dwells in every Believer and knows the heart of GOD, the Holy Spirit can speak in ancient languages and deal deathly precision in the unseen realms unlocking and destroying complex arrays of strongholds, setting the captives free!
    - Pauls says "On all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests"
      - This means 24/7 - we are giving GOD permission to wake us up in the middle of the night to go to battle, to pray for whatever comes to mind.
        
        Many years ago I had a vivid dream of being in an airplane watching terror come over the faces of people as they found out that the plane had malfunctioned in some fatal way. The plane was over the ocean and I could see it falling from the sky. Immediately I woke up with my heart pounding and I started to pray saying if this is real then please LORD help those people in the plane, pour out YOUR Grace and if this disaster can't be avoided then may many cry out to YOU for Salvation in the last seconds of their lives.
        
        Days later I saw the headline in the newspaper that an airplane went down over the China Sea and all were lost on the very night GOD awoke me and I'm sure many others to pray.
        
        Have you given GOD permission to wake you up to be a prayer warrior?
    - For it says here in Ephesians "Be alert and always keep praying for all the Saints"
      - GOD has given some Believers a 'Spidey-Sense' and I believe every church body of CHRIST will have one or more who operate in this Gift of Knowledge. They will discern that something is about to come down and will begin praying and alert other Believers!
      - We are to pray for all the Saints not just at church during "Prayer & Praise Time"
        
        Keep in mind that each week, there are about eleven Believers being martyred because of taking a stand for JESUS and The Gospel.
        
        Pray that GOD strengthen them with HIS supernatural Grace to make them bold to the end, even intervening and saving their lives. But keep in mind this fact! That the blood of the Saints advances The Kingdom of GOD!
- Finally V19 & 20 "Pray that whenever we open our mouths, words may be given, so that we will fearlessly, make known the mystery of the Gospel, and to declare it fearlessly!"
  - Like Paul, if the day comes that we are in chains, so be it!
    - May we never stop using GOD's armor!
- Practical application for us today is this:
  - GOD's Armor can put an end to night terrors for our children and for us.
  - GOD's Armor can cover our weak sin nature as we work out our sanctification and mature in JESUS.
  - GOD's Armor can come against forces that control physical events in our world.
  - Hence, Believers in JESUS can become players on the world-stage
    - Affecting, effecting, and infecting the plans of the Elites
      - For the globalists want to prepare this world for a one-world government
        
        And the coming anti-christ.
      - They have been deceived into thinking the following:
        
        That the world is overpopulated
        
        That the world will run out of resources
- I have a hand out - One side has Bible Power Verses
  - And the other side has examples of how to pray on GOD's Armor.
Let's pray!

Power Verses To Memorize - Find from this list a good handful that speak to your heart and cause righteous indignation to rise up in you! Feel free to print out, cut out, and place on mirror, car, etc or put on smart phone with an alarm set at certain times of the day with certain verses. In the heat of the battle you might not have time to look them up. Like a seasoned soldier who has maneuvers memorized to the point their muscles are trained to react with deadly precision.

Matthew 18:19 Again, I tell you the truth, if two of you on earth agree about whatever you ask, MY FATHER in Heaven will do it for you. For where two or three are assembled in MY Name, I am there among them.”
Romans 8:27 - And HE who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to GOD’s will.
Romans 8:34 Who is the one who will condemn? CHRIST is the one who died (and more than that, HE was raised), WHO is at the right hand of GOD, and WHO also is interceding for us!
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens/empowers me!
Philippians 4:19 - But my GOD shall supply all your need according to HIS riches in glory by CHRIST JESUS!
2 Timothy - For GOD has not given me a spirit of fear/cowardice but of power/dunamis and love/agape and self-discipline/sophronismos!
Colossians 2:15 Disarming the rulers/arche and authorities/excousia, JESUS has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:15 - JESUS has disarmed the powers and authorities (past tense!)
Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe!
1 Peter 3:12 - The eyes of the LORD are over the righteous and HIS ears are open to our prayers!
Luke 10:19 - JESUS has given me authority to trample on snakes and scorpions! Nothing will harm me, no nothing!
Psalm 91:3 - My GOD in Who I trust! Surely YOU will save me from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence/disease/plague/virses (Try to memorize all of Psalm 91)
Psalm 103:19 - The LORD hath prepared HIS throne in the heavens and HIS Kingdom rules over all! (Past tense!)
Mark 9:23 - JESUS says, "If you can believe! All things are possible to those that believe!"
1 Peter 2:24- JESUS himself bore our sins in HIS body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by HIS wounds you have been healed. (Past tense!)
1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And GOD is faithful, HE will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. But when we are tempted, HE will also provide a way out so that we can endure it!
1 Corinthians 2:9 - Eye has not seen, not ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of main, the things which GOD hath prepared for them that love HIM. (Quoting Isaiah 64:4)
1 Corinthians 15:27 - For the FATHER has put all things in subjection under CHRIST's feet. (Past Tense!)
2 Corinthians 12:9 But HE said to me, “MY grace is enough for you, for MY power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Peter 3:9 - For it is written, "YOU desire that none perish"
Proverbs 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
Psalm 121:7 - The LORD shall preserve you from all evil. HE shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and coming in from this time forth and even for evermore.
Deuteronomy 10:12 - Do not fear any evil, but walk in the fear of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 7:14 - IF MY people who are called by MY Name Humble themselves, Pray, Turn from wicked ways, Seek GOD's face. Then the GOD of Heaven will Hear, Forgive, and Heal their land. (Notice it's the land that gets healed... possibly KOSMOKRATOR AKA Elementals)
James 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Haggai 2:8 "The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the LORD Almighty.
Proverbs 13:22 - The wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous
Mark 16:17 - Believers will drive out demons, speak with new tongues, pickup serpents, drink deadly poison/virses, but it will not hurt them at all! Place hands on sick people and they will get well!
Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct my paths!
John 14:27 - JESUS says, "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and peace of heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world can not give! So don't be troubled or afraid!"
Exodus 15:3 - My LORD/YHVH is a warrior (Hebrew - MILCHAMAH)
Psalm 55:22 - Cast my burdens upon the LORD and HE shall sustain me! HE shall never suffer the righteous to be moved!
Jeremiah 20:11 - But the LORD is with me like an awe-inspiring dreaded champion warrior (Hebrew - ARIYTS GIBBOR - these two words only used one time and it's here!)
Ephesians 6:10-18 - Full Armor of GOD (7 Pieces, 4 enemies)
- Finally be strong in the LORD and in HIS mighty power! Put on daily the Full Armor of GOD so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes and his minions! Our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Humans), but against:
  1. The rulers - ARCHEs (chiefs over certain areas)
  2. The powers - EXOUSIA (legal jurisdiction)
  3. The dark world forces - KOSMO-KRATORs (used only once in whole Bible)
  4. The spiritual forces of evil in the heavens - PNEUMATIKOS/spiritual PONERIA/evil EPOURANIOS/heavens
- For this reason take up the Full Armor of GOD so that you may be able to stand your ground/resist on the evil day and having done everything with HIS armor, continue standing firmly in place!
- Hold your ground!
  1. Having tightened the Belt of TRUTH around your waste/loins/flesh. (Holds other pieces in place)
  2. Having put on the Breastplate of Righteousness/moral right standing with GOD. (Single piece of armor slid over hand, head, heart)
  3. Having shod/fitted firmly your Feet with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace (Get marching orders from JESUS so you go into battle with the peace knowing HE has commanded you to be there! Shoes had cleats on the souls!)
  4. And in all of this take up the Shield of Faith with which you can extinguish ALL the flaming/fiery arrows of the evil ones! (Additionally designed to be used with other comrades)
  5. And take up the Helmet of Salvation (Think about what a helmet covers)
  6. And the Sword of The Spirit which is the WORD of GOD! (Not a large sword but a dagger. This is why we must know Scripture to use the sword skillfully and be lethal)
  7. And by Prayer and Petition pray at ALL times In The Spirit (Know that JESUS & Holy Spirit are interceding for you!)
- And to this end Be Alert/Keep Awake with ALL perseverance/persistency! (That last word used only one time in New Testament means “keep on keeping on the Full Armor!”)