Okay, Paul has set us up for our use of greatest tools of weaponry, to do spiritual warfare in the battle that we are in from the moment of our spiritual awakening. For the world even of our day remains under the delusional curse of spiritual darkness that was active in Jesus' day. Because he only bruised to head of the evil one, meaning he did not totally destroy he, only mortally disfigured him, nor did he totally disarm him. Scripture tells us that we are to keep our foot on his head. So what is the full armor of GOD, let us find out. And remember that we are looking at scripture from the resurrected and ascended side of things, having a renewed mind, the mind of Christ! And not an old religious legalized mind-set, nor are we blind, dumb and stupefied by the snares set by man's adversary. As we where in while we were but children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and held by religion as slaves. For the cross has become our altar and the tree of life where our restored identity in the life of Jesus, began. He was clothed in the same humanity that we are and therefore had the same image and likeness of GOD and Himself within, as stated when it was revealed that he grew in wisdom and grace as a young man of about thirteen years. Also remember that the Bible translators falsified the translations of the original text, to reflect their own religious bias, as we have endeavored to point out in our study portion, often by doing a word by word study. This was done under the watchful eye of man's sworn enemy to hold us by his own whim and discretion's. Because the Holy Spirit left behind word clues for us to find, not taking all things at face value which has become the habit of those caught, ensnared, in the evil one's trap. As even Israel was and still is. For that reason if none other thing, we are to bring them to jealousy and thereby to repentance; The only ones who carry this requirement, because of their hardness of heart over the ages.
Ephesians 6:10-17, 18-20 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles(G3180) of the devil(G1228). For we wrestle not against(G4314) flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore (found in Isaiah 11:5; 52:7)," having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" Above all, taking the shield(G2375) of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." (KJV)
Ephesians 6:10-17, 18-20 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes(G3180) of the devil(G1228). For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against(G4314) the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore (found in Isaiah 11:5; 52:7), "having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." In all circumstances take up the shield(G2375) of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." (ESV)
Ephesians 6:10-17, 18-20 "In conclusion and with reference to the theme and context of this writing, I encourage you to realize your strength in the Master; your union with him is your limitless resource. (Remember my prayer for you at the outset of this letter in 1:19-23, I prayed that you will understand beyond all comparison the magnitude of his mighty power towards us who believe and receive him. Faith reveals how enormously advantaged we are in Christ. It is the same dynamic energy that he unleashed in Christ when he raised him from the dead and forever established him in the power of his own right hand in the realm of the heavens. Infinitely above all the combined forces of rule, authority, dominion, or governments; he is ranked superior to any name that could ever be given to anyone of this age or any age still to come in the eternal future. I want you to see this: GOD subjected all these powers under his feet. He towers head and shoulders above everything. He is the head; the church (his redeemed image and likeness in humanity, he being man or the second Adam dressed for a short time in our earth suit) is his body. The completeness of his being that fills All in ALL resides in us! GOD cannot make himself more visible or exhibit himself more accurately.) Fully immerse yourself in this detail and significance of every individual part of the armor of GOD. (Acquaint yourself with all that GOD's victory in Christ represents.) Just like every aspect in a soldier's armor significantly completes their battle uniform to best equip them to face every [1]method and strategy that an [2]enemy could possibly employ against them (The word, [1, G3180] methodeia, means strategy; [2, G1228 from G1225, compare H7854; from G1223 and G906 ] diabolos, comes from (G1223) dia, because of, and (G906) ballo, to cast down; thus referring to the fall of humanity or the fallen mindset of humanity, often translated Devil, the accuser (the action of religions legalism, the work of Mosaic Law). [Look at 1Corinthians 15:47] Human life was reduced to slavery and the soul-rule earthly realm through Adam's fall but is now awakened to lordship in the heavenly realm (once again) of spiritual realities through the knowledge of our co-resurrection with Christ. [look at Colossians 3:1-11] We theologically created the idea of a person being "sinful by nature" as if humans are flawed by design. When in fact it is a distorted mindset that we inherited from Adam that the man Jesus had to free us from. This being revealed in the words Jesus used and the spiritual language employed. Peter says that we were redeemed from this futile way we inherited from our fathers. [1Peter 1:18] "Your indifferent mindset alienated you from GOD into a lifestyle of annoyances, hardships, and labors, sponsored by the law of sin and death that lodged in your bodies hosting a foreign influence, foreign to your original design; just like a virus that would attach itself to a person." In Colossians 1:21. There is nothing wrong with our original of design or salvation, we were thinking wrong. [look also at Isaiah 55:8-11, Ephesians 4:17-18 and 2:1-11.]) People are not the enemy, (whether they be husbands, wives, children, or parents, slaves, or bosses. They might host hostile, law inspired thought patterns through their unbelief or ignorance but) to target one another is to engage in the wrong combat. We represent the authority of the victory of Christ in the spiritual realm. We are positioned there (in Christ and live on earth as Christ); we [1]confront the mind games and [2]structures of darkness, religious thought patterns; governing and conditioning of human thought and behavior patterns. (The word, [1, G4314, a strengthened form of G4253] pros, means face to face; to confront. The word, [2, G4189 from G4190] poneros, is often translated as evil; this word is described in Thayer's Lexicon as, full of annoyances, hardships, and labor, which is exactly what the DIY Law-system of flesh works produces!
[Look at 1Corinthians 15:24] The complete conclusion in his work of redemption is celebrated in his yielding the full harvest to his reign to GOD the Father, having [1]brought to naught the Law of works which supproted every definition of dominion under the fall, including all [2]principalities, all [3] authority and every [4]dynamic influence in society. He brought to naught the law of works, from the word, [1, G2673 from G2596 and G691] katargeo, from (G2596) kata, meaning intensity, and (G691) argos, meaning labor; thus to free from all self efforts to attempt to improve our standing before GOD or what GOD has already perfected (in Genesis 1 and 2) in Christ. All principalities, [2, G746 from G756] arche, or chief ranks, i.e., kings, governors; this includes any governing system whereby one is ranked above the other on the basis of their performance or preference. All authority, [3, G1849 from G1832, from a third person singular present indicative of a compound of G1537 and G1510] exousia, comes from (G1537) ek, denoting origin and (G1510) eimi, "I am;" in this case, because of what I can do, I am defined by what I can do better than you; therefore, I have authority over you. Every dynamic influence in society, [4, G1411 from G1410] dunamis, means power, in this case, willpower. Every government structure in society will be brought under the dominion of Grace where the Christ life rules. The kingdom of GOD is the dominion of the Christ-life in human life, where righteousness (our original innocence) is based on who we are and not on what we do; who we are by GOD's doing and not who we are by our own doings; right being and not merely right acting, as a veneer. Where the Law of works was duty and guilt driven, the law of faith is Agape driven; [Romans 3:27, Galatians 5:6, 2Corinthians 10:12], when they measure themselves by themselves or against one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.) It is most important therefore to acquaint yourself with every aspect of GOD's armor. We are fully fit to powerfully defeat any onslaught or contraction on any day of confrontation, triumphantly standing our ground. The days where the Law of [1]hardships, annoyances and labors dictated our life are over! (GOD's armor represents his reputation; his victory defines us. Again the word, [1, G4190 from a derivative of G4192, meaning to toil with anguish] poneros, is used, to be full of hardships, annoyances, and labors; transitionally translated evil. [Look at 1Corithians 15:48] The reduced state of the individual left its mark on humanity as being earthy; now the redeemed state of humanity confirms our origin in GOD and marks our new heavenly life. [1Corinthians 15:49] Just as the flesh (our earthy image) once defined us we are now defined by our spirit [our heavenly] image.) take your position: you have truth (of who you are in Christ) wrapped around your hips like a soldier's belt, holding the complete body armor together. (Know that our loins are protected from all manner of lusts, gluttony and sexual sins.) Righteousness covers our hearts like a bulletproof breastplate. We ware your eagerness and passion to communicate the Good News like a soldier's shoes. Announcing peace; the battle has already been fought and won! ( In Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation." This being in picture language of our body as the Messengers returning from the battlefield with the glad tidings of victory!) It is most important to engage our faith as a [1]man-size shield that covers our whole body and empowers us to extinguish the flaming arrows and darts of contradiction that we might face. The only visible part of us is our faith! (The word, [1, G2375 from G2374] thureos, means a door-size shield. To co-believe with GOD protects our whole person, body, soul and spirit. Look at 2Corinthians 5:7.) Pondering redemption realities is our headgear that protects our mind; inspired thoughts given voice by GOD's word---this is our spiritual sword.
Prayer is an ongoing conversation; praying in the spirit includes every form of prayer, whether it be a prayer of request or a prayer of thanksgiving, or of worship or interceding for all to realize their saintly innocence. Oh, and remember, we do not have to do all the talking! Always be attentive to the voice of the spirit within you. (Prayer is so much more than a one-way conversation.) My most urgent request is for clarity of utterance every time I open my mouth to speak. I desire that my words will be gifted with inspiration, boldly articulating the mystery of the gospel. I am an ambassador in bonds, chained to the task of confidently communicating the revelation of the Gospel with all accuracy it deserves, upon which the LORD is building his church." (The Mirror)
Again my apologies for the length of this study. May the LORD do within you and yours as Paul has requested for us all. In out next visit the LORD willing we shall close Ephesians.
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