ARE YOU DRESSED FOR BATTLE?
How Do You Know?
Ephesians 6:11-18 New King James Version
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
Why this course is necessary?
It is easy to quote Ephesians 6:14-18 in listing each piece of the suit of armor, but...
- Do you know what each piece protects?
- For example, when girding the loins, what is being girded?
- Do you know the purpose of each piece?
- For example, what is the purpose of the helmet?
- Do you know how to use each piece?
- For example, are we to use the sword of the spirit offensively or defensively?
- Do you know how to activate each piece so that they can work for you?
- For example, what are the five strategies for using the shield of faith?
These questions and more will be answered as we discuss how to put on and activate each piece of the complete suit of armor.
Prepare to learn how to put on your custom-fit garments, and to activate them so that you will be ready whenever called out onto the battleground. You will feel completely comfortable and confident, not having any doubts as to whether or not you will be prepared by the time you complete the course.
Your main textbook for this open-book class is your Bible.
Make sure to have your Bible, a pen, and some paper because these things and more will be learned. For those who do not have a personal bible of their own, the scriptures shared will be live using Biblegateway.com so that you can click on them and read the highlighted verse from any one of several translations. Just to list a few:
- New King James Version
- King James Version
- New International Version
- Amplified Bible
- English Standard Version
- Authorized King James Version
- New American Standard Version
You are also able to change the versions shown to a version or translation of your choice.
Success = Wearing the Complete Suit of Armor
All pieces of the Whole Armor of God are important. Why?
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Garment - Belt of Truth
It is important to gird your loins. Where is the girding done? What are the loins that is to be girded? This is not just any type of belt.
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Garment - Breastplate of Righteousness
This piece needs to be examined and polished daily. Why?
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Garment - Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace
Not all covered feet are shod. Know what a shod foot looks like and prepare ahead of time.
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Tool: The Shield of Faith
Activate your shield of faith and learn how to use it both offensively and defensively.
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Garment: The Helmet of Salvation
To guard your heart you need to cover your ears, and don't forget to grab your keys.
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Tool: The Sword of the Spirit
Meet the Judge, and learn how to identify and activate your Sword of the Spirit. You don't want to be found battling on the wrong battlefield.
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Dressed for Battle Curriculum
- Lecture: NOT ALL COVERED FEET ARE SHOD
- Lecture: WHEN YOUR GARMENT BECOMES A LETHAL WEAPON
- Activity w/Video: HEAVENLY DRIVING LESSONS - LEARNING TO YIELD
- Lesson w/Video: PREPARATION IS NEVER LOST TIME (5:53)
- Field Trip 3 w/Video: ON THE BATTLE FIELD - AN INTRODUCTION TO PREPARING
- Quiz: Understanding the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace
- Lecture: MEET THE JUDGE
- Video: INTRODUCTION TO THE MASTERCLASS (10:01)
- Field Trip 5 w/Video: ON THE BATTLEFIELD - PRACTICE USING YOUR SWORD OFFENSIVELY AND DEFENSIVELY
- Video: MAKE SURE YOU ARE FIGHTING ON THE RIGHT BATTLEFIELD (28:42)
- Project One: IDENTIFYING THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
- Project Two w/ Video: ACTIVATING THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
- PHA Physicals w/ video: HEARING THE VOICE OF THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
- Quiz: What Sword Will You Buy
- Activity: FOLLOWING THE MAZE PT 1 - THE BENEFITS OF COMPARISON STUDIES, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
- Activity: FOLLOWING THE MAZE PT 2 - NEW KING JAMES VERSION
- Activity w/Video: FOLLOWING THE MAZE PT 3 - 1599 GENEVA BIBLE
- Lecture: ALL MANNER OF PRAYER
- Project: LESSONS LEARNED THROUGH EXAMINING THE WORDED PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE
- Battle Cry Pt 1: WITNESS - JOSHUA
- Battle Cry Pt 2: WITNESS - GIDEON
- Battle Cry Pt 3 w/Video: WITNESS - KING JEHOSHAPHAT
- Quiz: Prayers in the Bible
- Lecture: HOW DID WE MISS THIS GARMENT?
- Lecture: WHAT IS ZEAL?
- Lecture: WORSHIPPING GOD WITH ZEAL AND TRUTH
- Lecture w/Videos: HOT TOPIC: LICENSED TO CARRY
- Lecture w/Video: HOT TOPIC 2 - UNLOCKED "IN THE SPIRIT" BY THE SPIRIT
- Lecture: HOT TOPIC 3 - WHAT THE BIG PICTURE REVEALS
- Lecture: HOT TOPIC PT 4 - THE RECEIPT OF THE SALE
- Quiz: Who Wore It First?
The Power of Perception
In the 1800s, Hans Christian Andersen wrote a folktale about an Emperor who was drawn out by his desires and ensnared in the delusion of self-deception. This story was called "The Emperor's New Clothes." He wanted some new expensive clothes so that he could show off to his subjects, and that desire caused him to be fooled into claiming that he could see something that did not exist. The folktale revealed a lot about what happens when a world is ruled by lies.
Illusion depends in part on self-deception on the part of the one being deceived. God helps us with this by telling us to "lean not unto our own understanding (perception of things) but in all our ways we are to acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
We cannot see our spiritual garments with our physical eyes. Therefore, we do not need to assume we are dressed for battle simply because we can quote what the pieces of armor are. We need to know the purpose of each piece, what each piece protects, and how to use them. It is then that we can truly wear what we cannot see. Apart from that, we are naked in areas where we think we are clothed, and that would make us sitting targets.
The devil is said to be like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8.) Therefore, we need to make sure that we are dressed for battle.