2. Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens."
3. Full Armor of God "For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.
4. Belt of Truth Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist,
5. Breastplate of Righteousness by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace,
6. Shield of Faith and in all this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
8. Sword of the Spirit and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
9. Pray for one Another With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints." (Eph. 6:12-18).
10. Conclusion Do not give up! To be ready for the coming of Jesus Christ our True GOD Reference: Homilies of Ephesians 6:14-17 by St. John Chrysostom.
Notas del editor
For we also are going to depart, and many are the difficulties that intervene. When we have crossed this plain, straightway the devil is upon us, doing everything, contriving every artifice, to the end that those who have been saved out of Egypt, those who have passed the Red Sea, those who are delivered at once from the evil demons, and from unnumbered plagues, may be taken and destroyed by him. But, if we be vigilant, we too have a pillar of fire, the grace of the Spirit. The same both enlightens and overshadows us. We have manna; yea rather not manna, but far more than manna. Spiritual drink we have, not water, that springs forth from the Rock. So have we too our encampment (Rev. xx. 9.), and we dwell in the desert even now; for a desert indeed without virtue, is the earth even now, even more desolate than that wilderness. Why was that desert so terrible? Was it not because it had scorpions in it, and adders? (Deut. viii. 15.) “A land,” it is said, “which none passed through.” (Jer. ii. 6.). Yet is not that wilderness, no, it is not so barren of fruits, as is this human nature. At this instant, how many scorpions, how many asps are in this wilderness, how many serpents, how many “offsprings of vipers” (Matt. iii. 7.) are these through whom we at this instant pass! Yet let us not be afraid; for the leader of this our Exodus is not Moses, but Jesus
Spiritual Soldiers
Stand Firm = upright like a soldier standing in lineNot bending on one side or leaning. Not lazy attitude.Having a firm foundationWhat happens when someone doesn’t wear their belt? What might happen to their pants?They may be loose and fall down ! Or they may entangle your feet and stop you from walking freely.Spiritually : when someone is loose in their life – they fall in lusts and thoughts of the ground, God wants us to pull our act together and put a belt around our waist so that we can run without falling.What about our waist? It is the foundation of our body! Like our frame where things above and below is connected. When you are tired you often but your hands on your waist for support. So soldiers cover and protect this area so they can protect their strength!Spiritually: foundation of our souls What can possible protect the foundation of our souls??TRUTH !! How?By not lying to one another, looking for the truth, even our opinions. do not make up things according to our own reasoning, saying that it is impossible for God because science and human mind can not prove it!
Breastplate = nothing can go through it!Righteousness (life of universal virtue) = a life that no one shall ever be able to overthrow - many wound him but no one can cut through him, not even the devil himself. - Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.” (Matt. v. 6.)The gospel (good news found in the bible) says to us that the war between us and the devil has been WON– and Jesus won and we are on His side !!! So this good news of peace between us and God --- we must becarefull how we walk = we must live our lives worthy of the gospel (try to live a pure and holy life) - So You have Good news --- BE READY IN YOUR LIFE so that You can share it with others and SPREAD THE GOSPEL!
Faith = the gift by which miracles happen!Like a shield = because nothing stand against it!“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove.” (Matt. xvii. 20.) The flaming arrows = temptations and desires from the enemy like darts at our soul !! ex: doubts , difficulties , confusion. “ is there a resurrection? Is there judgment? Is there punishment ?”But faith can put out this fires! the passion of our souls- If the faith is right it will destroy all the darts of the devil so that our armor remains uninjuredHoW – MuST HOLD ON TO FAITH = thinking about the future promises of the Lord :For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed to us-ward.” (Rom. viii. 18.)
The helmet of salvation = when you protect your thoughts from doubts and desires it contributes to YOUR salvation -- inspire us with good hopes, to do good !
The word of God is Jesus! He is our Sword that fights for us. When we read the bible we read His words.Reading the word of God first thing in the morning gives us the sword to defend ourself all the day long.“For the word of God,” saith he, “is living, and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.” (Heb. iv. 12.)So with Jesus we can crush the head of the Serpant !! How ? By keeping / Obeying God’s word.For if we keep his commandments, by these we shall kill and slay the dragon himself, “the crooked serpent.” (Isa. xxvii. 1.)
--- Now that we are fully armed all that is left is to call on the KING!! We pray in the Spirit --- not just repeating things over and over but asking for things that are HEAVENLY – according to GODLike Soldiers we must be AWAKE - - - What will happen if you were to take a test and start falling asleep ?Perserverance – being persistent – not giving up on our fightHow long must a soldier wear his armor ? – As long as he is in the warWE HAVE TO KEEP OuR Armor ON all the time – because our war is our entire life until we die. Asking for one another to be saved !!