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A GOOD SOLDIER 4 WWW.ADAMANTBELIEVER.COM/AGS4.PDF!

!• Eph. 6:14-17 Stand therefore, 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 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:

Prepared for battle

• A good soldier will be hurt in battle. He must wear protective gear to minimize attacks from the opposing side. 1Pet. 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

• An effective soldier must have offensive and defensive strategies in order to fight principalities and spiritual wickedness. Eph. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

• We must put on the whole armor of God to stand against the enemy and fight the ‘good fight of faith’. 1Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Defensive Gear

• Truth/Belt – Ephesians 6 tells us to girt our loins with truth. Girt means to attach or fasten, and our loins are our hips. So in essence, the Word is telling us to holster ourselves with truth. The belt holds the entire suit together and keeps it from falling down. Our lives must be secured with the consistent truth of the Word and we must use it to stand against the lies of the enemy. 2Cor. 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

• Righteousness/Breastplate – We must use the breastplate to protect our hearts. The righteousness of God is essentially our “right alignment” with His plan for us. When we are on

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©2014 G. Craige Works All Rights Reserved March 9, 2014

one accord with God, our desires conform to His. Fleshly desires cannot penetrate our hearts when we are protected by the breastplate of righteousness. Psa. 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

• Gospel of Peace/Shoes – The bible says to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. We should take peace with us wherever we go. When we learn to walk in peace, we will avoid many emotional battles that come to distract us and hinder our ability to follow God’s orders. The enemy will bring oppression, depression, and anxiety, to knock us off course. But we must use the Gospel or “Good News” of peace to settle our minds and hearts and keep us on track. Rom. 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

• Faith/Shield - This is the most powerful defense against the enemy. The bible says the shield of faith is "above all" and can quench "all" fiery darts from the enemy. By faith we know that we will be victorious. Faith puts us on the winning side and equips us with all that is necessary to win the fight. Who is greater than God? And who can defeat the true and living God? If we believe that He is, then we know that with Him we will win. Heb. 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

• Salvation/Helmet – Salvation is our helmet because it covers our heads or “thoughts” and keeps us focused on the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. When the cross remains our focus, then our thoughts are protected. We can battle sin, despair, and depression when we stay

focused on things above and not below. Consistently reading and meditating on the Word of God will keep our minds aligned with His truth. Thinking on the things of God keeps us from falling into sin. Phil. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Summary

A good soldier knows how to defend himself. When we are equipped with God’s defensive gear, we are more effective in stopping the enemy. A good

defense can stop any offense from overtaking us and yielding us helpless. We are fighting a defeated foe. The enemy will trick us into believing that he is not defeated, but with God’s defensive armor, we can make a stand against the devil’s tactics. We are soldiers and every good soldier must know how to stop his enemy.

Eph. 6:13 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.

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