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Sermon #4241

Resisting the Devil

A Sermon on Ephesians 6:14

Originally preached April 8, 1962

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Scripture

Ephesians 6:14 ESV KJV
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (ESV)

Sermon Description

Temptation is a constant trap that the devil puts in the path of Christians. Satan is constantly prowling around as he tries to convince Christians into crediting their salvation to the binding of rules and regulations. He twists and distorts the truth of the gospel by making the Christian think that they are still under the power and dominion of sin. How then do Christians turn away from these temptations? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:14 titled “Resisting the Devil,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the weapon to use against temptation is the breastplate of righteousness. He points out in Scripture how the breastplate of righteousness is a reminder that the old self has been crucified with Christ, resulting in liberation from the laws and regulations they were bound to before. In Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s words, Christians no longer live a good life to become a Christian, but rather because they are a Christian. Not only are they liberated from the old law, but also from the dominion and power of sin. Sin and evil no longer rule them. Christians are now ruled by the power and dominion of God. The breastplate of righteousness helps them resist the devil by realizing that his temptations and traps no longer have power over them.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The apostle Paul is dealing with the importance of realizing we are engaged in spiritual warfare against the devil and his forces.
  2. To stand against this enemy, we must put on the whole armor of God, which God provides. This includes the breastplate of righteousness.
  3. The breastplate covers our heart, seat of affections and will. It must be guarded against the enemy.
  4. Righteousness here refers to the righteousness of Christ given to us, not our own. It is a gift given to us and worked in us.
  5. The breastplate gives us confidence, helps us withstand discouragement and condemnation, and defends against temptation.
  6. We must beware of a false asceticism that believes righteousness comes through strict rules and self-denial. True righteousness is living out the truth of who we are in Christ.
  7. We must realize the old man is dead, crucified with Christ. We are no longer in Adam but in Christ. This is key to victory.
  8. We must realize we are no longer in the kingdom of Satan but have been delivered from his power. We can resist him.
  9. We must realize we are dead to sin, no longer under its dominion. Sin shall not rule over us. We are in the realm of the Spirit.
  10. We must realize we are dead to the law, not trying to justify ourselves. We are made righteous in Christ, not by the law. The law only brings death.
  11. We live the good life not to become Christians but because we are Christians. We keep clean the robe of righteousness Christ has put on us.

Sermon Q&A

What is the Breastplate of Righteousness in Ephesians 6:14?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon, the breastplate of righteousness in Ephesians 6:14 refers to the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ, not our own natural integrity or efforts. This righteousness is both imputed to us (put to our account) and imparted to us (worked out in us through sanctification). The breastplate protects the seat of our affections, feelings, conscience, desires, and will against the enemy's attacks.

How does putting on the breastplate of righteousness help Christians fight temptation?

The breastplate of righteousness helps Christians fight temptation by:

  1. Delivering us from the sense of condemnation, which is depressing and makes us "bad fighters"
  2. Reminding us that we are sons of God in this world as Christ was
  3. Helping us realize our true identity in Christ
  4. Giving us confidence that we have protection against the enemy's attacks
  5. Providing protection against temptations that nothing else can protect against

What does Lloyd-Jones warn against regarding a false interpretation of the breastplate of righteousness?

Lloyd-Jones warns against interpreting the breastplate of righteousness as a form of false asceticism. He points to Colossians 2:18-23 where Paul warns against those who promote "touch not, taste not, handle not" approaches. Lloyd-Jones cautions against:

  1. Turning to a strict system of rules and regulations
  2. Believing that abstaining from certain things makes one righteous
  3. The observance of special periods like Lent (which he notes has no basis in the New Testament)
  4. Mechanical observance of rules without understanding their purpose

Instead, he emphasizes that putting on the breastplate is not seasonal but constant, and it involves applying doctrine and truth about ourselves.

What does it mean that "our old man was crucified with Christ"?

According to Lloyd-Jones, "our old man was crucified with Christ" (Romans 6:6) means:

  1. The person we were by nature (in Adam) died with Christ
  2. This happened once and for all when Christ was crucified
  3. We are no longer in Adam but in Christ
  4. We don't need to try to crucify our old man - it's already been done
  5. This is not something we accomplish but something we must realize has already happened

Lloyd-Jones calls this "the most liberating thought I've ever known" and "the whole key to putting on the breastplate of righteousness."

What are the four negative realizations that help us put on the breastplate of righteousness?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies four negative realizations that help us put on the breastplate of righteousness:

  1. We are no longer the person we were when born - our old man was crucified with Christ
  2. We are no longer in the kingdom of Satan or under his dominion - we've been translated into Christ's kingdom
  3. We are dead to sin - sin no longer has dominion over us (though we may still fall into sin)
  4. We are no longer under the law trying to make ourselves righteous - we live the good life not to become Christians but because we are Christians

How should Christians view their relationship to sin after putting on the breastplate of righteousness?

After putting on the breastplate of righteousness, Christians should view their relationship to sin differently:

  1. We are "dead to sin" - not meaning we never sin, but that we're dead to sin's realm and rule
  2. Sin is no longer on top of us - we are on top of it
  3. We're not under sin's dominion - "Sin shall not have dominion over you"
  4. We can resist sin from a position of strength rather than weakness
  5. We don't live righteously to become Christians but because we already are Christians
  6. We strive to keep clean the perfect robe of Christ's righteousness that has been put upon us

As Lloyd-Jones puts it: "You don't live the good life to be a Christian. You live the good life because you are a Christian."

The Book of Ephesians

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.