The Helmet of Salvation + Sword of the Spirit
February 12 | DNA Guide
Be Real Together
Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.
Read Together: Ephesians 6:10-20 CSB
Grow Together: Observe & Apply
Throughout this series we’ve learned about the relevance and application of the armor of God to help us remain steadfast and faithful disciples to Jesus. As we close out the series, reread the passage from Ephesians 6:10-17 and notice the direct commands given for our strength and encouragement (commands are underlined):
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.
The commands we are given are to:
Questions to Discuss:
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.
The commands we are given are to:
1. Be strengthened by the Lord himself (v10)! The same God who the Psalmist says in Psalm 89 “Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” The same God who Paul writes in 2 Cor 4:6 “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2. Put on the armor of God (i.e. armor commissioned and given by God himself for our courage and protection) so that we can stand firm against evil and lies. (v11)
3. Take up – to accept – the armor given to us by God himself. (v13)
4. Stand with:
a. Truth like a belt – we are to stand, be, and exist in truth which holds all thingstogether (v14)
b. Righteousness like armor on our chest – we are to face forward towards the world in righteousness and justice (v14)
c. Readiness to be peacemakers with God by the power of his love for all people shown for us in the gospel (v15)
d. To take up and rely on our faith as a shield to defend against the sting of evil and lies (v16)
e. To take – accept – our salvation from God as a symbol of who we are and who we belong to (our identity) and for assurance of our protection by him (v17)
f. To take – accept – the word and logos of God found in scripture as our weapon of active defense (v17)
Questions to Discuss:
- Do you apply these commands in your life, or view them as optional?
- In your habits of discipleship do you take these commands to heart?
- What is the risk suggested by scripture of not putting on the full armor of God?
Pray Together
Holy Spirit, we invite you to come into our lives this week inspiring us to take up the spiritual armor so that we can defend ourselves and live in your righteousness, for our good and your glory. We ask you to reveal new ways that we could be bolstering our faith and knowledge of you, God, for continued formation of this spiritual armor. In Jesus' name, Amen.