Bro. Tim Baker
First Baptist Church Festus/Crystal City
May 24, 2009


Standing firm is to stand against, resist, oppose against the onslaught of the devil and his demons.  We must be disciplined in order to stand firm and continue to do what is taught to us within this Scripture.

  1. Understand Your Opponent  6.12
    1. Who he is?
      1. Satan (Lucifer) and his demons

Rev 12.7-9

And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, 8 and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

NASU

Matt 8.28-31

When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. 29 And they cried out, saying, ” What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them. 31 The demons began to entreat Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.”

NASU

2.  They are at work in this world we live in all around us.

Eph 2.1-2

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

NASU

  1. How he attacks?
    1. Through temptation.  Jesus’ temptation  Matthew 4.1-8
    2. The attack is always close and is an individual contest between the Christian and demonic enemies.
  1. What’s at stake?
    1. Everything!  Don’t ever underestimate the power of Satan and / or his demons.
    2. Paul uses an analogy that depicts a Greek wrestling contest.  The Greek word Pale is the English word wrestle.  The loser in the Greek wrestling contest had his eyes gouged out with resulting blindness for the rest of his days.  The church of Ephesus had to react greatly to this analogy.
  1. Rely Upon His Strength  6.10-11
    1. Be dependent upon the Lord!  10.10
      1. Being strong in the Lord literally means “to be continually strengthened”.  The verb is in the passive voice.
      2. His strength will always be sufficient for our needs!
    2. Become fully armed in Him!  10.11
      1. To envelope in, to hide in, to clothe with; therefore, put on the complete armor to be fully protected and ready for battle.
      2. The Lord’s armor is not lacking in any single part.
      3. We can overcome through His strength and putting on the armor that is provided for our becoming soldiers!
  1. Rely upon Your Armor  6.13-17

The armor is to be kept on at all times within our lives as Christians.  Any time we do not remain disciplined and take off any piece of the armor, we will make ourselves vulnerable.  Discipline is necessary for constant protection.

  1. Truth – Having girded your loins with
    1. It is our responsibility to do so.
    2. Truth is the essential piece of armor in order for every other piece to be secure.
    3. Truth is that which we need to practice within our relationship with God.
    4. An absolute truth will ground us in knowing what is right and wrong.
  1. Righteousness – Put on the breastplate
    1. This righteousness is sanctifying righteousness and not justifying righteousness.
    2. A life yielded to God will be rewarded with the fruit of righteousness from the Holy Spirit.
  1. The Gospel of Peace – Having shod your feet with
    1. The sandal which was bound by throngs over the instep and around the ankle, and the soles were thickly studded with nails gave a firm footing in the case of an attack.
    2. The peace of God gives us the opportunity to face our enemy with courage.

Rom 5.1-5

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

NASU

  1. Faith – Taking up the shield
    1. The word for shield (thureon) depicts the shield of heavy infantry.  It is a large oblong one, 4 by 2 ½ feet, curved on the inner side.
    2. Our faith is a present faith in what Christ has won in the victory over sin and Satan.
    3. The shield will turn away the fiery covered darts of temptation from Satan.
  1. Salvation – Take the helmet
    1. Saints are already justified by their personal faith in Christ.
    2. Paul speaks of the salvation from the power of sin in this present life.
  1. Word of God – Sword of the Spirit
    1. It is the sword of the spirit because our Word is inspired and given from the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is needed for proper interpretation of the Word.
    2. It is in defense to the enemy.
    3. It is used to attack the enemy.