Be Strong in the Lord

Ephesians 6:10-20

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%206:10-20;&version=31;

Related References

• James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”
  
• Isaiah 11:5 “ Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.”
  
• Isaiah 59:17 "He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak."
• 1Thessalonians 5: 8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
  
• Matthew 16:18 "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

Notes

• Belt of truth: the strength of our loins; and it girds on all other pieces of our armour, and therefore is first mentioned.

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• Breastplate of righteousness: The righteousness of Christ implanted in us is our breast-plate to fortify the heart against the attacks which Satan makes against us.
• Feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace: resolution to abide 

(image courtesy of:  www.preceptaustin.org)

• Shield of Faith: faith as it is the evidence of things not seen and the substance of things hoped for
• Helmet of Salvation: that is, hope, which has salvation for its object (1 Thess. v. 8)

(image courtesy of www.holyspiritinteractive.net)

• Sword of the Spirit: the word of God...
• Prayer: the battle is spiritual and must be fought with God's strength, depending on the word (sword) and on God through prayer.
  

Questions

1. We are encouraged to be strong in the lord, why? how?
2. What are we to stand strong against?  Does this mean that if we are doing God's will that we will never face conflict from other people?  (Note: No, if it is truely God's will, satan will use people and anything else he can to stop it)
3. What do each piece of armor represent and what does it mean to put them on?
4. What does it mean to "stand"?  Does it refer to only a defensive position, if so why are we given an offensive weapon in the sword of the Spirit?
5. What do you do to ensure that you always keep on praying and putting on the full armor of the Lord?  How can we help support you?