Page 180 - Ephesians

sword was both offensive and defensive. It protected and
pierced, which is also true of our prayers.

We have just discussed the illustration. Now the question comes,
“What is God illustrating with Roman armor, and all of its various
parts? They say the armor is not one thing, but many things.
There’s not one thing a Christian needs, but many things, to
secure his safety.

They say, “Paul is saying that you need head to toe protection. If
you have faith, but the belt is loose, Satan will have an ‘in’. If you
have the helmet of salvation on, but your feet are not shod with
the gospel of peace, then you’ll probably stumble and fall. If you
have your shoes on correctly, but you are not girded with faith,
then Satan is going to get you. You drop your shield, and a fiery
dart is going to find its mark. It might be poisoned with a false
doctrine, or worse you’ll be consumed by the fire of passion”.
Fear, fear, fear!

“You are at war, Christian,” they say. So you better keep your
helmet on, because bad thoughts are going to come into your
mind. You’ll be entertaining doubts and suspicions. If you don’t
keep the belt on, your loins girded with truth, then the breastplate
of righteousness will be compromised because it’s attached. If
you neglect the breastplate of righteousness, then your heart is
going to be exposed, and Satan is going to get through and
wound you.

And don’t forget to use your sword for offense. You need the
sword; memorize those verses; learn those proof texts; show what
you believe and why you believe it. You must be able to cut down
your adversaries, and show when they are wrong. Learn your
doctrine; learn to handle your sword. Learn to be able to say to
Satan, ‘It is written”; use your weapon. And don’t forget to pray,
because prayer changes things. Satan trembles when he sees
the weakest saint upon his knees.”