YOU have an enemy!
1 Peter 5:8-9 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking forsomeone to devour. 9 Stand rm
against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind ofsuffering you are.
NLT
REVIEW – The Real War
● The spiritual realm impacts every area (sphere) of our lives – this is the Real War! (Eph 6)
● Seeking to understand our true enemy and how he works:
o John 8:44 – Father of lies; Rev 12: 7-12 – deception, accusation, discouragement, etc
● Learning how we ght against him and his strategies “in Christ” (Eph 1-2)
● The Armor of God – last week – Belt of Truth [Roman Soldier analogy]
PREVIEW – Today, Breastplate of Righteousness
● Reminders of the Real War (we’re ghting from a place of victory, not to achieve victory, etc)
● Three key aspects to understanding God’s kind of righteousness
● How this piece of armor protects us in spiritual warfare
The Real War: Breastplate of Righteousness
Ephesians 6:10-18 10 A nal word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armorso that you will be able to stand rm
against allstrategies of the devil. 12 For we are not ghting against esh- and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen
world, against mighty powersin this dark world, and against evilspiritsin the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armorso you
will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you willstill be standing rm.
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’srighteousness. 15 Forshoes, put on the peace that comesfrom the
Good Newsso that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the ery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on
salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which isthe word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert
and be persistent in your prayersfor all believers everywhere. NLT
1. Even in victory there is conict- Eph 6:10-14, 18
● We only need to “stand” in the victory we have “in Christ” – Romans 8:37; Eph 1:14; 2:6
● We are not the solution to this Real War, Jesus is. But we have an active role in “armoring up”!
● We have an enemy and he has a plan of attack. (deception, accusation, condemnation, etc)
● God has provided what we need to “stand” – armor – (belt of TRUTH) and access (prayer) Heb 4:16
2. Breastplate of Righteousness
Ephesians 6:14b …the body armor of God’srighteousness.
● Attaches to the belt, protects the heart (Prov 4:23)
Three Key Aspects ofthis Righteousness:
1. God’s standard of Righteousness – right doing, being, thinking (not mine, not man’s) – (Isa 55:8-9)
2. Imputed Righteousness – purchased for us on the Cross, exchanged at our surrender (2 Cor 5:21)
3. Practiced Righteousness – living out Christ’s life within (Phil 2:12) – daily following, being changed and on
mission – Not perfected, we’re a work in progress (Phil 1:6), we don’t always get it right (Jam 5:16)
3. How this Righteousness protects us
The enemy’s strategy
1. Deception
o Is God’s way really worth it?Is it really that big of a deal?(justify)
o What is truth? What is right?(do what feels good, follow your heart, God wants you happy)
o Truth: Following God’s version of Righteousness keeps us in God’s will where we experience His
protection and His provision (Deut 6:18; Psa 1:1-3; Matt 7:24-27)
2. Accusation
o Two extremes –
1. You’re too bad (I’m unsavable/unsalvageable) or Isa 6:5; 1 Tim 1:15; Rom 8:1; Zech 3:1-5
What does this type of accusation sound like in your head?
2. You’re so good (I don’t really need saving, I’m ok) – Lk 18:9-14; Isa 64:6
What does this type of accusation/afrmation sound like in your head?
o Truth: The enemy speaks in half-truths so…
▪ You are “bad” in that you’re a awed sinner but you are “good” in that you’re worth saving
▪ God made you to be in right relationship with Him, experiencing His goodness and then
sharing that with the world so more come to know Him and nd their value in Him.
Practical Application – Armor up, personally and with others!
1. Get God’s Word deep into your being (Ps 119:11, 105; 2 Tim 3:16-17)
▪ What is your plan for this week to get into the Bible? To share it with others?
2. Learn to distinguish the voice of the enemy verses the voice of God (Bible, prayer, other believers)
▪ Who is can you share with about the accusations you hear in your head? Who can you ask about the
condemnation in their head?
3. Stay committed to walking in the ways of God – living righteously
▪ Is there an area of your life you haven’t confessed and brought into the Light?
▪ How can others know you’re a safe person to confess to?
4. Renew your mind by counter the lies of the enemy with God’s truth – you are “in Christ”
▪ Find a verse this week that reminds you of who you are in Christ and read it each day.
▪ Share it with someone.
A Sample Daily Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You with a humble heart, asking for Your guidance and strength. Help me to walk in Your righteousness, not
by my own strength, but through Your grace. I surrender my doubts, my failures, and all that weighs me down. I receive the new identity
You’ve given me in Christ — one of freedom, forgiveness, and love. Help me to see myself as You see me, not condemned, but renewed and
set free. I trust in the truth that in Christ, I am a new creation, and that through Him, I have the power to live according to
Your will. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and lead me on the path of life and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.