STAND YOUR GROUND: SIT, WALK, STAND WEEK 4 – TES JAHNIG
Scriptures:
Ephesians 6:10-18
2 Samuel 23:11-12
2 Corinthians 5:21
Points:
1. THE BELT OF TRUTH
2. THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
3. THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
4. THE SHIELD OF FAITH
5. THE HELMET OF SALVATION
6. THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
7. PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT
Paul, who established the church in Ephesus, writes his letters as a raw expression of the Father’s heart, and Ephesians, in particular, focuses on the glory of Christ and the establishment of the Glorious church. Paul writes the letter to the Ephesians from prison. The invitation is to take a seat and hear the whisper of Heaven’s heart – that the Glorious father is establishing a glorious church through His bride, not the other way around.
Chapters 1-3: Sit (position)
Chapters 4-6: Walk + Stand (practice)
(Seated in Christ; walking worthy of the calling; standing against the devil.)
Ephesians 6:10-18
V11: “Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
THE GREEK VERB FOR “STAND” TRANSLATED MORE ACCURATELY INTO ENGLISH MEANS “STAND YOUR GROUND”.
“HOLD YOUR GROUND” – This is not a command to invade territory, to march, occupy, or subdue an enemy’s land.
We are told to STAND. The ground the enemy disputes in our lives has been freely given to us. The devil wants to move you away from and distract you from your SEATED POSITION IN CHRIST.
Your salvation.
Your healing.
Your inheritance.
Your provision.
Your protection.
Your destiny.
We do not have to struggle to retain ground that is rightfully ours. THIS GROUND BELONGS TO GOD, and it is GIVEN TO YOU. STAND YOUR GROUND. We STAND because we already have victory.
We do not fight for our VICTORY; we fight FROM a place of victory in Christ Jesus.
2 Samuel 23 :11-12 (an account of a man by the name of Shammah – remembered for his great bravery.) Israel is being attacked by the Philistines, and we’re told that he refuses to hand over the land (a patch of beans) to the enemy because this land was part of the covenant inheritance that God had promised Israel.
“Do you see what it means to stand? We do not try to gain ground; we merely stand on the ground Jesus gained for us and refuse to be moved from it” – Watchman Nee
Ephesians 6:10-18
THE ARMOUR OF GOD IS NOT JUST A KIDZ CHURCH LESSON; it is not an old covenant message based on the law and what we must do to win this fight. Ephesians 6 is the gospel. It’s a new covenant message to the church to take hold of what is rightfully and use heavenly weapons to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH.
WE PUT ON THE ARMOUR OF GOD supernaturally by turning our minds towards Christ and believing that HE HAS DONE THE WORK AND FINISHED THE FIGHT. The effectiveness of the armour lies in WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT JESUS AND HIS GOSPEL OF GRACE.
1. The Belt of Truth
This is the word of God – If you are saved, you are GIRDED WITH TRUTH.
The belt is not only for keeping your pants up. It also holds weapons like swords and daggers. The belt of truth holds the spiritual weapons you need to fight the enemy’s fiery darts.
YOUR ARMOUR IS HELD TOGETHER BY THE TRUTH OF JESUS CHRIST. STAND YOUR GROUND.
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness
A soldier’s breastplate covers the organs crucial to life – HEART + LUNGS. How does the BREASTPLATE help us stand? IT FIGHTS THE ENEMY WITH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Righteousness, OUR RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD, is received through Jesus. We are no long foreigners and exiles, we are children of God who can approach the Father with boldness and confidence.
It is not something we strive for it is who we are.
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
WE ARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. IN CHRIST, that is what you cover your heart with.
1 John – it is the heart that condemns us. THE ENEMY COMES AT THE HEART (CONDEMNATION + SHAME)
GUARD YOUR HEART — IT IS THE WELLSPRING OF LIFE. KNOW AND BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS.
3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
This scripture says “and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
READINESS – FIRM FOUNDATION. Our FIRM foundation IS PEACE. WHO IS PEACE? JESUS CHRIST. This is not about putting on hypothetical shoes but bringing your thoughts to JESUS, an unshakeable foundation to stand upon.
You can come to church every week but if you keep coming for people, you will be disappointed. The firm foundation that will anchor you in the battle – that will strengthen you is JESUS.
4. The Shield of Faith
This shield can quench ALL the fiery darts. The devil’s intention is to shoot these towards our minds. There is no point in rationalising your behaviour or motivating yourself with the enemy – he will find your faults, and he will work with our excuses.
Taking up the shield of faith is to plead the blood of Jesus. The only thing that will quench the enemies arrows is the blood of Jesus.
The blood of Jesus silences the enemy. Revelation 12 – they overcame by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB and the word of their testimony.
And so when the arrows come at us (fear, irrational thoughts, disturbing questions, doubt) – we take up our shield – WE BELIEVE WE ARE MADE RIGHTEOUS BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS.
Pleading is not begging – It’s a legal term: to make a plea – is to give an answer to an accusation.
When the devil comes with his accusations, PLEAD THE BLOOD: JESUS WAS CONDEMNED AND ACQUITTED ON OUR BEHALF. When we speak the blood of Jesus over our situations, the devil can not make another move BECAUSE JESUS’ BLOOD HAS ALREADY PAID THE PRICE.
5 + 6. The Helmet of Salvation & the Sword of the Spirit
A reminder of your position. YOUR SALVATION IS YOUR HOPE. HOLD ONTO THAT. Charge to use the SPOKEN WORD to STAND – not in a defensive way but as an offensive weapon – ONE THAT WILL EMPOWER YOU TO STAND YOUR GROUND.
When studying this scripture, the tendency is to look at these 6 pieces of armour and visualise how we will put them on, but we know that God never stops on 6 – he always completes in 7. The 7th weapon, an offensive powerful part of our armour: praying in the Spirit.
7. Praying in the Spirit
PAUL SAYS “PRAY IN THE SPIRIT ON ALL OCCASIONS.”
We are human. If we are human, we can drop a weapon at some point. We can lose heart. In these moments, the only option we have is to STAND.
How do we do that? WE PRAY. We keep communication with God. We declare who we are. We plead the blood. And when we don’t know what to pray we pray in a spiritual tongue because we know Holy Spirit will pray on our behalf.
HE will fight. HE will silence the enemy. HE will be our advocate. HE will lift our shield. HE will raise our SWORD. He will secure the belt and breastplate. HE will Fasten the helmet to our head.
Do not shrink back. Do not retreat. Do not run from God. Do not stay away from church. Do not hide from the community when you are surrounded on every side. Look to JESUS. Believe JESUS and his one perfect sacrifice that gives you everything you need to fight a spiritual battle.
STAND YOUR GROUND. He is surely coming.
Discussion Questions
1. Reflecting on the message, what stood out to you the most about the concept of “standing your ground”? How does the imagery of the armour of God help you understand the spiritual battles you face in your daily life?
2. The messages emphasises the importance of understanding our position in Christ before engaging in spiritual warfare. How does knowing your identity in Christ affect the way you approach challenges and conflicts?
3. The message speaks to the significance of each piece of the armor of God (e.g., belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness). Which piece resonates with you the most, and why?
4. How does the idea of “praying in the Spirit” as a crucial aspect of spiritual warfare challenge or deepen your prayer life? Discuss a specific situation in your life where you’ve had to “stand your ground” spiritually. What did that look like practically, and what did you learn from the experience?
5. In what ways can we support and encourage each other to “stand our ground” in faith when facing spiritual battles or adversity?
6. The message emphasises the role of Jesus and the finished work of the cross in our spiritual warfare. How does this perspective shift the way you view your struggles and victories?
7. Share practical strategies or habits that help you stay rooted in your faith and equipped for spiritual battles on a day-to-day basis.
How can we practically apply the insights from this sermon in our personal lives and within our community?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for arming us with your truth and empowering us with your Spirit. Help us stand firm against the enemy’s schemes and trust in your victory. Guide us to understand our identity in Christ and rely on His finished work on the cross. Grant us wisdom, courage, and unity as we face spiritual battles. Teach us to pray in the Spirit and lean on your promises. May your peace reign in our hearts and strengthen our faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.
** Catch “The Wrap”: post-service conversation on our Youtube channel now!
THE LINC COLLECTIVE 
Leave a comment