He can be Resisted! – Part 1

Over the next two weeks, I want to share with you how you can resist the enemy. He may be crafty, he may have devices he uses to get us off track, but you and I can resist his work according to wisdom of God and through the armor the Lord provides us. In this first installment, we'll look at the first of six ways we can resist the enemy: through the armor of God.

The concept of resisting the devil is a central theme in the Bible, with numerous verses offering guidance and encouragement for believers to stand firm against the devil's schemes. The Bible teaches that the devil is a powerful and influential spiritual being who seeks to deceive and destroy those who follow God. However, the Bible also teaches that believers have access to the power of God and can resist the devil's influence through faith, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

James 4:7


How important it is to submit to God's authority and seek His guidance in order to resist the devil's schemes. To resist the devil, believers must submit themselves to God and follow His will. Only then can we effectively resist the devil's temptations and overcome his influence.

“⁸Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ⁹Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

1 Peter 5:8-9


We, as believers, need to be alert and aware of the devil's tactics. The verse above emphasizes the importance of resisting the devil steadfastly, meaning we must stand firm in our faith and trust in God's power to overcome the devil's influence. The verse also reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles against the devil, as other believers worldwide face similar afflictions.

Ephesians 6:10-18 provides additional guidance on how believers can resist the devil through spiritual armor. This includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Paul reminds us of the importance of understanding and applying these spiritual weapons to resist the devil's attacks effectively. The passage also emphasizes the importance of prayer in resisting the devil, stating that believers should "pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18).

Finally, the Bible provides many examples of individuals who successfully resisted the devil's temptations, such as Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) and Joseph in Potiphar's house (Genesis 39:6-12). These examples offer hope and encouragement to believers that they can overcome the devil's influence through faith and reliance on God's power.

Through submission to God, steadfastness in faith, the application of spiritual armor, and prayer, believers can effectively resist the devil and stand firm in their faith. "Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4), meaning that the power of God within believers is greater than that of the devil in the world.

Let's examine the first of six tactics you can employ daily to resist your adversary:

1) Put on the Whole Armor of God

 In Ephesians 6:11-18, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to put on the armor of God. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).

Even though this study isn't explicitly meant to dive deeply into the elements of the armor, let us touch upon them briefly.

The Belt of Truth

The belt of truth is the first piece of armor that Paul mentions. In ancient times, a soldier's belt was essential to their armor. It held their sword and other equipment in place and supported their back and abdomen. In the same way, the belt of truth provides a foundation for the rest of the armor and helps to protect the believer from satan's attacks. This involves three key aspects:

1. Embracing the Truth of the Gospel

The Gospel is the foundational truth of Christianity. It is the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. To put on the belt of truth, we must first embrace this truth and make it the foundation of our lives. This means believing in Jesus as our Savior and Lord and trusting in his finished work on the cross.

2. Rejecting Falsehood and Deception

John 8:44 tells us that satan is the father of lies. And as such, he seeks to deceive believers, undermines their faith, and desires to hinder their effectiveness for God's kingdom. We must reject falsehood and deception in all its forms to resist satan's attacks. This includes rejecting false teaching and ideologies and being honest and truthful in our speech and actions.

3. Living a Life of Integrity

Finally, putting on the belt of truth involves living a life of integrity and honesty. This means being truthful in our interactions with others, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable. It also means living in a way consistent with our beliefs and values and avoiding hypocrisy or duplicity.

Ultimately, putting on the belt of truth is about living a life that is grounded in the truth of God's word and the Gospel message. It's about rejecting falsehood and deception and living a life of integrity and honesty. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from satan's attacks and stand firm in our faith.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

Much like its spiritual counterpart, the soldier's breastplate was meant to protect vital organs. The breastplate of righteousness protects the believer's heart from satan's attacks. Essentially, this includes: 

1. Imputed Righteousness

The breastplate of righteousness is first and foremost a gift from God. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are justified, or made righteous, in God's sight. This is not based on our own works or merit, but on the imputed righteousness of Christ, who lived a perfect life and died on the cross for our sins. When we put on the breastplate of righteousness, we are acknowledging and celebrating this gift of righteousness that we have received through faith in Christ.

“Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference”

Romans 3:22

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption”

1 Corinthians 1:30

“For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

2 Corinthians 5:21

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”

James 2:23

2. Practical Righteousness

While our righteousness before God is based on faith in Christ, we are also called to live a life of practical righteousness, or right living, in our daily lives. This involves living in obedience to God's commands and seeking to honor him in all that we do. It means avoiding sin and temptation and striving to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Ultimately, putting on the breastplate of righteousness is about living a life that is pleasing to God and in alignment with his will. It's about acknowledging the gift of salvation and righteousness that we have received through faith in Christ and seeking to live in obedience to him in all aspects of our lives. By doing so, we can protect our hearts and souls from satan's attacks and experience the abundant life that God has for us.

“Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God.”

Romans 6:13

The Shoes of Peace

The shoes of peace are the third piece of armor highlighted by the Apostle Paul. A soldier's shoes are an important part of their equipment, as they provide stability and mobility on the battlefield. In the same way, the shoes of peace provide the believer with the stability and mobility they need to stand firm and advance against satan's attacks. The shoes of peace bring attention to:

1. Peace with God

The foundation of the Christian life is peace with God. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we have been reconciled to God and have peace with him (Romans 5:1). To put on the shoes of peace, we must first make sure that we are at peace with God, by confessing our sins and repenting of anything that might be hindering our relationship with him. This involves seeking to live in obedience to his commands and relying on his grace and mercy to help us when we fall short.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

Romans 5:1

2. Peace of God

In John 14:27, Jesus said He was giving us peace. But not just any peace - His peace! Peace with God, or being reconciled to Him, is the starting point. Peace of God is required for ongoing victory. It's one of the most liberating truths of the Bible that we can experience the actual peace of God. Jesus was never moved by anxiety or stress. He walked in perfect heavenly peace even when facing the awful reality of the cross.

If Jesus could experience that perfect peace while enduring the most significant trial ever known to man, what an incredible relief to know we can have that same peace.

“⁶Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus...⁹Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Philippians 4:6-7, 9

3. Preparing for Spiritual Battle

Finally, putting on the shoes of peace involves preparing for spiritual battle. Just as a soldier must be prepared for battle at all times, so too must the believer be prepared for the attacks of satan. This means staying grounded in the truth of God's word, and being ready to stand firm against the enemy when he attacks.

It also means being willing to advance against the enemy, by sharing the Gospel and bringing the message of peace to a world that desperately needs it.

The Shield of Faith

 “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

Ephesians 6:16 (Emphasis mine)

 
Above all. These two simple words lift the importance of the shield higher than any other piece of armor, but why? Faith. Without faith, everything else is useless.

“But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6


The importance of faith cannot be overestimated, and the shield of faith is one of the most prominent pieces of the soldier's armor. Consider the following:

1. The Shield is a Defensive Weapon

The shield of faith is primarily a defensive weapon. It is designed to protect the believer from the flaming arrows of the evil one, which represents satan's attacks. By having a firm and unshakeable trust in God, we can extinguish these attacks and remain steadfast in our faith.

2. The Shield is a Communal Weapon

While the armor of God is often portrayed as individual equipment, it is important to remember that we are not meant to fight the battle alone. In ancient warfare, soldiers would often lock their shields together to form a wall of protection against the enemy's attacks. In the same way, we are meant to stand together as a community of believers, supporting and encouraging one another in our faith. Romans 12:3 says that God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. How much more effective could we be if we linked our measures of faith together?

3. The Shield is a Visible Weapon

A soldier's shield was often decorated with symbols or designs that identified their unit or allegiance. Similarly, our faith should be visible to those around us, both as a testimony to our trust in God and as a source of encouragement to others. When we take up the shield of faith, we are declaring our allegiance to Christ and our commitment to following him.

Our God is greater than any obstacle we may face. By having faith in him, we can experience the peace and confidence that comes from knowing that we are not alone and that we have a sure and steadfast anchor for our souls.

The Helmet of Salvation

The helmet of salvation protects the believer's mind from satanic attacks. Essentially, it means to have a firm confidence in our relationship with Christ. When we have this assurance, we can be protected from satan's attacks.

1. Protection

Just as a helmet protects a soldier's head from physical attacks, the helmet of salvation protects a believer's mind from spiritual attacks. When we have a firm and confident assurance of our salvation in Christ, we are less vulnerable to satan's lies and accusations. We can stand firm in the face of temptation and persecution, knowing that our ultimate destiny is secure in Christ.

2. Identity

The helmet of salvation is a reminder of our identity in Christ. When we put on the helmet of salvation, we are acknowledging that we belong to Christ and that our lives are hidden in him (Colossians 3:3). We are no longer defined by our past sins or by the lies that satan tries to tell us. Instead, we are defined by our relationship with Christ and by the truth of who He says we are.

3. Confidence

We don't have to doubt or second-guess where we stand with God. Instead, we can be confident that we are loved by God, forgiven of our sins, and saved by his grace. This confidence gives us the strength and courage to face whatever challenges come our way.

4. Hope

The helmet of salvation is also a symbol of hope. When we put on the helmet of salvation, we are reminded that our ultimate destiny is not in this world, but in the next. We have the hope of eternal life with Christ, where there will be no more sin, pain, or sorrow. This hope sustains us through the trials and difficulties of this life and gives us a vision of something greater to come.

The Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word)

The sword of the Spirit is a powerful weapon in the spiritual arsenal of believers. It is the only offensive weapon mentioned in the list of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, which is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Here are some different aspects of the sword of the Spirit:

1. Offensive Weapon

As mentioned, the sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in the armor. It is meant to be used to attack and defeat the enemy, rather than simply defend against his attacks. The word of God is powerful and effective, able to cut through the lies and deception of the enemy and reveal the truth.

2. Source of Strength

The sword of the Spirit is also a source of strength for believers. As we study and meditate on the word of God, we are strengthened in our faith and equipped to face the challenges and trials of life. The word of God is like food for our souls, nourishing us and sustaining us in our walk with Christ.

3. Guidance

The word of God also serves as a guide for our lives. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). When we are unsure of what to do or where to go, we can turn to the word of God for direction and guidance. The Holy Spirit uses the word of God to speak to us and guide us in our daily lives.

4. Spiritual Growth

Finally, the sword of the Spirit is essential for our spiritual growth and transformation. As we study and meditate on the word of God, we are transformed more and more into the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit uses the word of God to renew our minds and hearts, enabling us to live in a way that honors and pleases God. When we wield the sword of the Spirit, we have the power to defeat the enemy and live victorious lives in Christ.

Putting on the whole armor of God is not a one-time event but a daily practice that requires intentional effort and faith in God. Through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and obedience to God's commands, believers can grow in their knowledge and use of this armor.

Next week we'll look at the other five ways we can stand strong against the enemy: praying without ceasing, resisting the devil, renewing our minds, filling ourselves with the Word, and walking in the Spirit.