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The armor of God

Understand resistance imagery through truth, peace, faith and prayer.

1. 1. Read and discover - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Ephesians 6:10-18

   ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

   ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

   ¹² For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

   ¹³ Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

   ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

   ¹⁵ and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace,

   ¹⁶ above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

   ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

   ¹⁸ with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The military image concerns truth, righteousness, faith and prayer; the passage distinguishes spiritual struggle from attacking people.

   Reflect

   • Why does Paul say that the struggle is not against other people?

   Put it into practice

   Respond to conflict without abandoning truth or peace.

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2. 2. A community that builds up - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Ephesians 4:25-32

   ²⁵ Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

   ²⁶ “Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath,

   ²⁷ and don’t give place to the devil.

   ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

   ²⁹ Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

   ³⁰ Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

   ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice.

   ³² And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul connects truth, work, speech and treatment of others; leaving harm behind includes practices benefiting others.

   Reflect

   • Which ways of speaking and acting help care for others according to Paul?

   Put it into practice

   Replace destructive speech with truth expressed carefully.

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3. 3. Overcoming evil with good - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Romans 12:17-21

   ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.

   ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.

   ¹⁹ Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”

   ²⁰ Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

   ²¹ Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul distinguishes seeking peace from revenge; caring for an enemy does not erase protection or justice.

   Reflect

   • What responsibility remains yours even if the other person does not change?

   Put it into practice

   Choose a nonvengeful response with safe boundaries.

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4. 4. Faith and its witnesses - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Hebrews 11:1-6

   ¹ Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.

   ² For by this, the elders obtained approval.

   ³ By faith we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.

   ⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.

   ⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.

   ⁶ Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Hebrews introduces examples of trust before describing hardship and perseverance; faith does not mean avoiding every loss.

   Reflect

   • How do the examples in Hebrews help explain what trusting God means?

   Put it into practice

   Describe a faithful decision without promising easy results.

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5. 5. Watchfulness and gratitude - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Colossians 4:2

   ² Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul connects persistence, attentiveness and thanksgiving; sustained prayer remains awake to real needs.

   Reflect

   • How can gratitude accompany an unanswered request?

   Put it into practice

   Write one thanksgiving beside a continuing request.