Armed for warfare

2 Cor. 10:3-5

1. What is our nature of our warfare?

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Eph. 6:10-18

2. List our different weapons and their uses.

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

(i) Put on the full armor of God

so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. So that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

(ii) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

(iii) Take up the shield of faith

with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

(iv) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit

which is the word of God.

(v) Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.