Joshua and Judges: The doctrine of leadership part 87 - Essential qualities of leadership: The filling of the Spirit; Overcoming the power and influence of Satan; Eph 6:10-18.

Title: Joshua and Judges: The doctrine of leadership part 87 - Essential qualities of leadership: The filling of the Spirit; Overcoming the power and influence of Satan; EPH 6:10-18.

 

Announcements / opening prayer:  

 

 

Principle:

Overcoming the power and influence of Satan demands the filling of the Spirit. Since he is a supernatural foe, human power cannot overcome him.

 

EPH 6:10 Finally, be strong [keep being clothed with strength] in the Lord [not self effort], and in the strength of His might.

 

EPH 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

 

The emphasis is on the whole armor. We are to wear the equipment in completeness, not lacking any part.

 

EPH 6:12 For our struggle [wrestle: close quarter contest] is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places [Satan's demon organization which has the sole purpose of opposing God].

 

Therefore, because of this invisible war we are issued a military command with the snap of military curtness - pick up and put on the full armor of God.

 

EPH 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

 

"take up" - pick up and put on (aorist active imperative). The armor is not to ever be taken off. The command is to put it on once and for all.

 

This takes mental discipline and alertness.

 

The renowned historian Edward Gibbon, in his great work, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Vol. III, pp. 271-272), describes how the Roman army became lax in discipline and exercise. "It is the just and important observation of Vegetius, that the infantry was invariably covered with defensive armor, from the foundation of the city to the reign of the emperor Gratian [late fourth century]. The relaxation of discipline, and the disuse of exercise, rendered the soldiers less able, and less willing, to support the fatigues of the service; they complained of the weight of the armor, which they seldom wore: and they successively obtained the permission of laying aside both their cuirasses [breastplate or torso armor] and their helmets. The heavy weapons of their ancestors, the short sword, and the formidable pilum [javelin spear], which had subdued the world, insensibly dropped from their feeble hands. As the use of the shield is incompatible with that of the bow, they reluctantly marched into the field; condemned to suffer either the pain of wounds, or the ignominy of flight, and always disposed to prefer the more shameful alternative. The cavalry of the Goths, the Huns, and the Alans [Iranian nomadic peoples], had felt the benefits, and adopted the use, of defensive armor; and, as they excelled in the management of missile weapons, they easily overwhelmed the naked and trembling legions, whose heads and breasts were exposed, without defense, to the arrows of the barbarians. The loss of armies, the destruction of cities, and the dishonor of the Roman name, ineffectually solicited the successors of Gratian to restore the helmets and cuirasses of the infantry. The enervated [weakened] soldiers abandoned their own, and the public defense; and the pusillanimous [timid] indolence may be considered as the immediate cause of the downfall of the empire."

 

The Christian, likewise, can become apathetic, timid, lazy, and therefore weak.

 

In such a state the believer is a sitting duck for the kingdom of darkness and he will be easily defeated.

 

1CO 15:57-58

thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

 

1JO 5:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world —  our faith.

 

Many of us know what it is to be in shape physically and out of shape. Spiritually, it is imperative that we remain in shape. This means learning the word of God consistently as well as applying it consistently. Our enemy is strong and motivated. We must walk in experiential sanctification by yielding to the will of God and the Spirit of God, by overcoming our sin nature through application of positional truth, and by constantly learning God's word.  

 

EPH 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

 

The evil day is the day of pernicious attack, which is active opposition to good.

 

Having done everything - spiritual growth and alertness to this point.

 

EPH 6:14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

 

Expositors says; "First in the list of these articles of equipment is mentioned the girdle. Appropriately so; for the soldier might be furnished with every other part of his equipment, and yet, wanting the girdle, would be neither fully accoutered nor securely armed. His belt was no mere adornment of the soldier, but an essential part of his equipment. Passing round the loins and by the end of the breastplate (in later times supporting the sword), it was of especial use in keeping other parts in place, and in — securing the proper soldierly attitude and freedom of movement."

 

The girdle held the other parts of armor in place and allowed freedom of movement. It was essential. It is essential that the truth be in us and that we not be deceived.

 

In the analogy, the word of God holds everything in place and allows us freedom of movement. Spiritual freedom has everything to do with the truth, GAL 5:13.

 

GAL 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

 

To be deceived is to be enslaved. The truth sets us free. It is equally important that we be true. In other words, superficial knowledge of knowledge for the sake of something selfish is not what is in view, but rather humility under truth and submission to the truth.

 

The breastplate protects the soldier from a fatal wound by protecting the major organs.

 

Righteousness, which in the context is obviously experiential righteousness, protects the believer from a spiritual fatality.