(This is a bible study sermon originating from Kevin Shaw’s work. It is expanded and edited by co-author Jared Shaw. It will be a part of Shaw Ranch Sermons Volume 1. Everything here is protected and copyrighted by Jared Shaw)
By Kevin Shaw
(Bible Study)
We look at the world today, and it feels like we are losing the battle. We see neighbors turned against neighbors, fueled by politics, fear, and a thousand different distractions. It is easy to feel like the ground is shifting beneath our feet, but the reality is that the enemy has been using the same playbook for centuries.
He wants us distracted. If we are busy fighting over petty differences, we’ve already lost the plot. The enemy isn’t the person on the other side of a political debate; the enemy is the one who wants to distract us from the mission of the Gospel.
The Apostle Peter gave us a stark, sobering warning about this reality:
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NCV)
“Control yourselves and be careful. The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. Refuse to give in to him by standing strong in your faith. You know your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering.”
Notice that Peter doesn’t tell us to hide or retreat; he tells us to “control ourselves” and “stand strong.” The devil’s greatest arsenal isn’t necessarily a frontal assault; it’s his ability to divide. He uses everything—our finances, our past, our pride—to keep us occupied with “foolish arguments” so we stop looking toward the Kingdom.
Titus 3:9 (NCV)
“But stay away from those who have foolish arguments, differences about families, disagreements, and fights about the law. Those things are worth nothing and will not help anyone.”
When we get trapped in these arguments, we are essentially playing the enemy’s game. These fights are designed to keep the soldier of Christ busy bickering with his own brothers instead of standing against the real darkness. We cannot let the devil dictate where and when we battle. We have to be disciplined enough to know when to walk away from a distraction.
Our True Fight
If we are going to stand, we have to recognize who the real enemy is. Our fight isn’t against flesh and blood. It isn’t against our neighbors, our coworkers, or the person who disagrees with us on social media.
Ephesians 6:11-12 (NCV)
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.”
That is why you need the armor. You don’t walk into a fire without your turnout gear, a soldier doesn’t go into battle without his breastplate and helmet, and a cowboy doesn’t head to a colt without his spurs and saddle. Most importantly you don’t walk through this life without the armor of God.
The “day of evil” isn’t a future possibility; it is a present reality.
We are at war, the church is our fortress, gods words are our sword, our faith in him is our shield. And the enemy is at the gates, waiting for us to let our guard down.
To stand in the midst of it, to stand on the front lines of the battle between good and evil, you have to be equipped with truth, faith, and the Word of God. Each piece of the armor is a different aspect of our relationship with Christ—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and the sword of the Spirit.
Lets take a deeper dive:
To fully understand the spiritual protection we are called to wear, we have to look at the specific breakdown of the armor in Ephesians. Paul didn’t just give us a generic list; he described the gear of a Roman soldier of his time and assigned each piece a vital spiritual purpose.
As we look at this, remember that this is not just symbolic—it is a practical strategy for how to live when the world feels like it is falling apart.
Ephesians 6:13-17 (NCV)
“So put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of righteousness covering your chest. Your feet should be fitted with the preparation that comes from the Good News of peace. Always use the shield of faith, because with it you will be able to stop all the burning arrows of the enemy. Put on the helmet of salvation and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Breaking Down the Pieces:
- The Belt of Truth: In the Roman military, the belt held everything else together. If your belt failed, your armor would hang loose and your mobility would be compromised. Spiritually, “Truth”—the truth of God’s Word and a life lived in honesty—is what holds your entire foundation together.
- The Chest plate of Righteousness: This piece covered the vital organs, specifically the heart. Our “righteousness” isn’t our own—it is the righteousness given to us by Christ. Wearing this means letting His character protect our hearts from the enemy’s accusations and our own guilt.
- Boots of the Good News of Peace: Roman soldiers wore shoes with spikes (hobnails) to gain traction on uneven ground. When you are rooted in the Good News and knowing your scripture, you have stable footing. You aren’t easily knocked over by the chaos of the world because you know where you stand.
- The Shield of Faith: This was a large, rectangular shield designed to be overlapped with other soldiers’ shields to form a wall. It was often covered in leather that could be soaked in water to extinguish “burning arrows.” Faith acts the same way; it is what we lift up to deflect the enemy’s doubts and fears, trusting in God even when we don’t see the full picture.
- The Helmet of Salvation: A soldier’s head is his most vulnerable point. The “Helmet of Salvation” protects our minds. It reminds us of who we belong to, ensuring that we don’t succumb to the enemy’s lies that say we are unworthy or defeated.
- The Sword of the Spirit: This is the only piece of offensive gear mentioned. The “Sword of the Spirit” is the Word of God. Just as Jesus used Scripture to counter the devil in the wilderness, we use the Word of God as our active weapon to cut through deception.
This isn’t just gear we put on once; it is a daily, intentional discipline. When you wake up, you are choosing whether or not to “clothe” yourself in these truths before you step out into the heat of the day.
The Call to Duty
So, how do we fight? We fight by staying alert, staying prayed up, and keeping our eyes on the mission. It requires a constant, active posture of prayer.
Colossians 4:2-5 (NCV)
“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message. Pray that we can preach the secret that God has made known about Christ. Pray that I can speak in a way that will be clear. Be wise in the way you act with nonbelievers, making the most of every opportunity.”
We are the only hope this world has, not because we are special, but because we carry the message that saves. If we don’t stand, who will? I’m not talking about shouting on street corners; I’m talking about being the light that actually pierces the darkness. It means living in a way that demands an explanation.
1 Peter 3:15 (NCV)
“Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have.”
The Challenge
This week, I have a challenge for you. Stop fighting the small battles. Stop letting the noise of this world divide you from the people you are called to love.
Arm yourself. Not with anger, but with the Gospel. Not with arrogance, but with the patience of Christ.
2 Timothy 4:2 (NCV)
“Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching.”
Do not give the devil a foothold. When you feel the urge to argue, pray. When you feel the weight of the world, put on your armor. And remember, the work you do for the Lord is never in vain.
“The smallest seed planted can one day rise to be the mightiest oak in the forest, we must plant the seed and let God grow the tree” – Jared Shaw
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NCV)
“So my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Do not let anything move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.”
Stand your ground. Stay alert. And keep your eyes on the Savior. That is how we fight. Side by side interlocking our shields of faith to defend the fortresses of Gods house. Unity, faith and righteousness. That is how we win against the devils schemes.
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