This lesson is written to teach basic concepts of Christianity. RIO Revolution Church desires that members and visitors begin studying the basics of Christian faith. Please study each lesson, as we learn together what we Christians should know and believe. Lessons are numbered. If you miss lessons, we have replacement lessons available for you. Please share copies of any lessons you find useful with relatives, friends, neighbors, or co-workers. Help us spread the Good News (the Gospel), which is: Jesus the Messiah died for our sins and is resurrected to live eternally with those who believe in and follow Him!
INTRODUCTION. Holy Scriptures teach us that God is good, Satan is evil. A Christian is commanded to contend (to fight) evil, because evil is the opposite of faith in the Light of the world – Jesus (Jude 1:3): Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints .
In this lesson, we will discuss a few ways you can fight evil, with God's help..
OVERCOMING TEMPTATION THROUGH SCRIPTURES.
Jesus, after a forty-day fast, was tempted three times by Satan (read
Matthew 4:1-11). His defense against Satan's temptations was:
“It is written...”
(read Matthew 4:4, 4:7, and 4:10). Jesus knew the
Holy Word of God, and all He needed to defeat Satan was to refer him to what was written (written in our Bible). The more Scriptures you learn, the better defenses you will have against Satan and the temptations and guilt he may try to plant in your mind. No matter how bleak your situation may seem, you are promised that God will not allow you to have more burdens than you can handle (1
Corinthians 10:13): No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
YOUR CHURCH CONGREGATION AS GUIDE AND SOURCE OF STRENGTH.
As a Christian, you should join a church and let others in the church help you in difficult times (Hebrews 10:24-25): And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
JESUS, YOUR BURDEN-BEARER.
Jesus stands by to help bear your burdens, which would include fighting evil in your life (Matthew
11:28-30): [Jesus said] “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” You may cease to function effectively because you become so bogged down with worries and guilt. Jesus is willing to take some of your heavy burden and carry it for you. With your burden lightened, you can think more clearly and make better decisions.
FOR YOUR USE: GOD'S WEAPONS TO FIGHT EVIL, GOD'S ARMOR TO PROTECT YOU FROM EVIL.
Since God desires that you victoriously fight evil, He will equip you for your fight. We will discuss weapons and armor available for your use in today's lesson.
Paul was frequently imprisoned by the Roman government because of his faith. From the weapons and armor of the many Roman soldiers he saw, he wrote a passage about God's protection for His children, including you (Ephesians 6:10-20): Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints – and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
As we explain weapons, armor, and military tactics of the Roman army, know that all of these can be used by you, God's soldier, when you fight evil!
ORDERS.
Rome gave her soldiers general and special orders. Rome, not the individual soldiers, decided who was a friend or an enemy of the state. The Roman soldier fought only his enemies, not his friends.
●Application to you, God's soldier: God has enemies, whom you should fight; God has friends, whom you should not fight. You do not contend for the faith, when you fight members of your church or members of other churches. Fight only those who oppose God and seek to destroy Jews, Christians, and Christianity. Your general orders are written in the Holy Bible. Your special orders may come through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's “orders” will never contradict anything written in the Holy Bible.
PREPARATION AND TRAINING.
Roman soldiers were so well-equipped (better equipped than their enemies) that they called themselves “Marius' mules.” The Roman general, Marius, gave his soldiers so much weapons, armor, and tools that they felt they were pack animals (mules), and they called themselves “Marius' mules.” A Roman soldier carried ninety or more pounds and could march

twenty or more miles daily with his load.
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Application to you, God's soldier: God has given you much for your protection and for your fight against Satan. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss God-given equipment and weapons for your use.
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD.
Paul tells you to put on all of the armor God provides (read Ephesians 6:10, 13). Roman armor was the best available in the ancient world. Rome's leaders spared no expense to make certain, as far as possible, that their soldiers were victorious and not defeated. Similarly, God wants you to be victorious and not defeated.
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Application to you, God's soldier: God gives you protection, even protection of which you are unaware.
THE BELT OF TRUTH.
The Roman soldier wore a belt (Latin: cingulum ) outside of his tunic. This belt held together the weapons and armor; secured the tunic and robe away from his feet (“gird the loins” in the Bible), so he would not trip and fall; displayed awards received for battle service; and held the soldier's sword and shield. From his belt, he also wore an apron-like device of leather strips containing bits of metal, which served as a groin protector and made noise when he marched.
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Application to you, God's soldier: Paul advises you to gird your waist, like a belt, with truth (read Ephesians 6:14). Upon the belt of
God’s Truth, you should hold weapons and armor together; prevent tripping and falling during battle; display Bema Judgment awards received for faithful service and battle victories; and hold the sword and shield necessary for defensive and offensive actions during battle. Any battle fought outside of God's Truth is not a battle of and for God. Faith and assistance of the Holy Spirit operate only in the
Truth of God, not necessarily in man's doctrines.
THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
The Roman soldier wore metal armor (Latin: thorax ) over his chest. This armor, made from flexible strips of metal, protected the soldier's vital chest organs
– lungs, large blood vessels, and, especially, the heart. The armor completely covered the front of the chest, but left the back mostly exposed. Rome expected a soldier to face the enemy and rush into him in a frontal assault, and he would be protected as well as possible. Rome did not expect a soldier to turn his back and retreat (run away) from the enemy. A retreating soldier would be considered a coward, and Rome had little interest in protecting a cowardly soldier.
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Application to you, God's soldier: Paul advises the Christian soldier to guard his/ her body
– especially the heart– with righteousness (read Ephesians 6:14). Satan will attempt to corrupt a Christian's heart by alienating him/ her against God.
“Righteousness” is being “right” or “just” in God's eyes. The Christian's breastplate of righteousness will guard against evil thoughts and
Satan's evil designs. God expects you, His soldier, to advance boldly and confidently into the stronghold of Satan, rather than cowering in fear and intimidation. If you have God on your side, you should not fear Satan (Romans 8:31b):
… If God is for us, who can be against us?
Also, God is far mightier than Satan (1 John 4:4b): … He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.
The Roman soldier made long, rapid marches over rough, stony roads. The Roman soldier’s lightweight, well ventilated sandals (Latin: caligae ) had thick leather soles fitted with hobnails (studs). The soldier's shoes were ideal footwear for soldiers during Paul’s time. A Roman soldier made long marches over rough terrain (the thick leather soles protected his feet from rocks and thorns). He stood sure-footed in battle (the studs grasped the ground, as do today's athletic cleated shoes).
Because he did not slip, he could always advance into the heart of the enemy (Roman soldiers were trained to always attack, n ot retreat).
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Application to you, God's soldier: God equips you with spiritual shoes, based on the Gospel, which you are instructed to wear in battling the enemy (read Ephesians 6:15). Like the Roman soldier, you are expected to march into the strength of the enemy, not retreat in cowardice. One of Jesus’ last communications with us was a commandment to engage in active battle (read Matthew 28:19-
20), even though .
your path may be steep and difficult (read Matthew 7:13-14). The Roman soldier’s shoes were fitted with metal studs to protect the feet and make the leather soles last longer, but they also provided better traction during battle. Your “Gospel shoes” should protect you and hold you securely against falling, when spreading the Word of God. The Roman soldier’s shoes allowed him to stand during battle (while less better equipped enemy soldiers slipped and fell to the ground). The sure-footed Roman soldier always advanced into the enemy, as you are intended to attack Satan, not make a cowardly retreat. You are always expected to maintain your footing, trying not to fall (but quickly regain your footing, if you do fall), while charging the enemy, and never retreating. (Read 1
Thessalonians 3:8
– stand fast; 1 Corinthians 10:13– stand in faith; 1 Corinthians 16:13– stand strongly and bravely in faith; Romans
5:1-2 – stand in God's grace; and Philippians 1:27-28– stand in One Spirit upon faith in the gospel, having no terror of the Enemy.) The
Gospel of Peace you are commanded to carry to others can come only from the Prince of Peace, and this Gospel will give those who believe in it “the peace that surpasses all understanding” (read Philippians 4:7).
SHIELD OF FAITH.
The Roman soldier carried two shields:
(1)-A larger shield (Latin: scutum ) was used in warfare. It is this shield Paul mentioned in Ephesians 6:16. (In this verse, Paul uses the
New Testament Greek word thyreos for “shield,” a large, rectangular shield, which is derived from the Greek word for “door.”) Thus, the
Roman soldier’s shield was shaped like a door.
(2)-The soldier also carried a smaller, round, beautifully decorated shield for use in parades and in war victory celebrations.
The larger shield ( scutum ) was a sheet of wood, covered by tough leather (up to six layers in thickness). The Romans took two or three thin sheets of strong wood (ash or oak) and glued them together with animal hide glue, creating something like our plywood. Before the glue set, the armor maker heated and bent the plywood into a curved shape. A handle attached to the back allowed the soldier to hold the shield without dropping it. A sharp metal point, the umbo , projected from the front of the scutum . The Roman soldier used his shield skilfully in both offensive and defensive tactics:
(1)Attacking the enemy on the ground , the Roman soldier stood shoulder to soldier in a line of hundreds of soldiers, linking their rectangular shields into a solid line of shields. A javelin (spear) projected from the side of each soldier's shield. As the line marched rapidly forward, the enemy saw only an unbroken line of shields, bristling with spears, with little exposed body parts to attack. The effect often caused panic and retreat in a less-organized, less-trained enemy. Each shield protected a soldier from a direct attack, and the linked shields protected soldiers to his right and left. A soldier desired to protect not only himself but also his comrades in battle. The only part of a soldier's body visible to the enemy was his legs, and these were covered by metal plates
– greaves
– similar to a baseball

catcher's shin protectors .
COMMENT: Roman armies marched rapidly toward the battlefield. Hobnailed shoes beat on the stony roads. Equipment, weapons, and groin protection of metal beads jangled noisily. Enemy soldiers heard the advancing Roman army long before they saw it. The enemy often panicked and ran from the battlefield. When we – individually or as a church– see Satan at work, do we make a great noise as we march to battle, or do we meekly let Satan have his way? Make noise against evil! Let Satan and those who follow him know that you are coming with a fearless heart and eyes of fire!
(2)Attacking the enemy inside a fort , Roman soldiers placed their shields over their heads, linking shields end-to-end and side-to-side.
They likened this protection to a tortoise shell. Rocks or arrows from the enemy standing on the fort's wall bounced harmlessly from the covering (“roof”) of shields. (3)-The curved shape of the shield deflected arrows to the side, making a direct hit on the Roman soldier unlikely. (4)-In close (hand-to-hand) combat, the Roman soldier would use the pointed metal projection on his shield, the umbo , as a deadly weapon, driving it like a bayonet into his enemy.
●Application to you, God's soldier: Use your shield of faith to deflect the arrows fired at you by Satan and his minions. Link your shield with the shields of fellow Christians in this and other churches to provide a solid line of protection through faith. Protect not only yourself but also your Christian brothers and sisters. Linked shields of faith in a church congregation provide more protection than a single shield of faith. For this reason, we are advised to join forces in a church to provide a more effective army for God ( read Hebrews
10:24-25). Jesus used His shield of faith when tempted by Satan (read Matthew 4:1-10).
Paul made a statement about “fiery darts”
(read Ephesians 6:16) that needs an explanation. In ancient times, archers dipped arrows in pitch or tar, lit them, and shot the blazing arrows at advancing soldiers. The intent was to set an enemy soldier's shield on fire, causing him to drop his shield and be diverted by putting out the fire, while being attacked by the next volley of arrows. Roman soldiers' shields were made of wood and leather. The soldiers soaked the shields in water, because we t shields would not catch on fire (that is, a wet shield would “quench fiery darts”).
Scriptures depict the Holy Spirit as water. If the Holy Spirit anoints your shield of faith, Satan’s fiery arrows will cause no damage.
HELMET OF SALVATION.
The Roman soldier always wore a helmet in battle. The helmet was constructed of thick sheets of a copperiron alloy. The helmet protected the soldier’s head (helmet bowl), face (helmet brow guard), and neck (helmet cheek pieces) from swords and arrows, while providing an obstructed view of the enemy in any direction he soldier might look.
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Application to you, God's soldier:
Paul tells you to add salvation to your armor (read Ephesians 6:17). Like a soldier’s helmet, salvation from God's grace will protect your mind against heresies and lies. Paul also teaches you to protect your mind through the knowledge of Christ as Savior (read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
WEAPONS. The Roman soldier carried a variety of weapons designed for Roman military tactics and refined by the experience of repeated wars. These weapons included: (1)-He carried long and short swords, used in hand-to-hand combat, in which the armored and shielded Roman soldier would repeatedly stab and slash at any enemy soldier who stood or fell before him. He also c arried a dagger, for even closer hand-to-hand fighting. (2)-He carried two javelins (spears). The advancing legions hurled their spears at the enemy from twenty or more yards away, killing or immobilizing many of the enemy’s front-line soldiers, before hand-to-hand combat became necessary. (3)-Even the shield became a weapon, through use of the sharp umbo protruding from the surface.
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Application to you, God's soldier: Paul urges you to take up a spiritual sword in the fight of the enemy. This sword is the Holy Spirit
(read Ephesians 6: 17). Jesus promised before He ascended to Heaven that He would send a Helper
– the Holy Spirit (your Paraclete)– to walk beside you for guidance, comfort, and strength. You should never should fight any battle alone. You always have the Holy Spirit as your Helper. The sword and dagger were hung from the Roman soldier’s belt. Your belt is God’s Truth (the Holy Bible). Your sword
(the Holy Spirit), when used to fight God's enemy, will never tell you to fight in any way contrary to the Bible. Is any denomination which teaches man's doctrine in opposition to the Word of God (the Bible) a heretical organization? Is any pastor who teaches man's doctrine in opposition to the Word of God a false prophet? Avoid either one!
FIGHT! The Roman Empire had a strong military in order that Rome's enemies could be fought. A weak, cowardly army was of no use to Rome. God raises up a strong army of believers in order that His enemies can be fought. A weak, cowardly army of believers is of no use t o God. A Christian’s weapons should be quick, powerful, sharp, two-edged, and capable of dividing asunder (read Hebrews 4:12)
You are commanded to fight the good fight of faith (read 1 Timothy 6:12a).
FUTURE LESSON.
God also gives you spiritual gifts to fight Satan. In a future lesson, we will discuss these spiritual gifts. In the meantime, read: Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-10, 28-31, and 13:1-13; Ephesians 4:11-12; and 1 Peter 4:10-11.
All Scriptures are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV), © Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. Holy
Scriptures are reproduced in red boldface font .
●-If you have questions about salvation or re-dedication of your life to serve God or if you wish to be counseled, call the RIO
Revolution Church office at (865) 984.9200, email the pastoral staff at www. riorevolution.net/contact-us/ , or come to the altar during any worship service.
●-If you have questions, comments, or suggestions concerning this lesson series, contact the author, Raymond Finney, at
(865)
984.1424
or raymondfinney@ charter.net
. The author assumes full responsibility for any error or misstatement. qa -22

A Roman soldier had so much armor, weapons, and tools that he called himself a
“Marius' mule.” God has given you many seen and unseen assets to fight evil. A
Roman soldier was expected to defeat his military enemies. You, a Christian soldier, are expected to defeat your spiritual enemies.
A Roman soldier wore metal shielding to protect his vital chest organs, including the heart. You should wear the righteousness of God to protect your heart from Satan's attacks.
A Roman soldier carried a shield to prevent being struck by his enemy's arrows, spears, and swords. You should wear your faith as a shield to combat any spiritual weapon hurled at you by Satan.
A Roman soldier wore lightweight sandals with thick leather, hobnailed soles. He could march rapidly over difficult terrain.
The studs in the soles kept his footing secure. You, a Christian soldier, should spread the Gospel even in difficult surroundings and keep your footing
(without falling).
Roman soldiers marched into battle in tight formation. Large, door-like shields protected each soldier individually and also protected his comrades to his right and left.
Link your shield of faith with shields of brothers and sisters in your church to protect both yourself and others in your church. Many soldiers marching together made noise that the enemy could hear for miles. Let Satan and other enemies of the cross hear you and know that you are coming for battle!
A Roman soldier's thick metal helmet protected his head, face, and neck from injury. Your helmet of salvation should protect your mind from succumbing to
Satan's temptations and feelings of guilt and unworthiness.
You are a soldier in God's army. Christianity is failing because God's soldiers are weak.
Fight evil, confident of victory!
You cannot avoid Satan’s temptations.
Satan may hurt you badly and repeatedly in this life. In your battles with the enemy, things may look bleak, and you may be ready to surrender. However, a soldier knows that the battle is not over until the last weapon is fired. As long as God’s Spirit is alive in you, you can
— and you must!
— fight back, and you can — and you will!
— achieve ultimate victory. Read Paul's final words in this teaching: Ephesians 6:18-20.
from the chains). The dungeon reeked of dried and fresh urine, feces, sweat, and dead bodies. Food was sparse and of poor quality. Rats and insects ran throughout the cells and over the prisoners. Bored, hatefilled guards surely abused the prisoners with little provocation or for sport. Neither you nor I would likely survive such harsh imprisonment.
Paul often seemed defeated. He was fettered (shackled, chained) to the wall in a
Roman prison without any humanitarian or civil liberty considerations. His cells were dark, damp, and poorly ventilated.
Prisoners often died during their confinement (starvation or strangulation
Yet, Paul remained upbeat (encouraged) and always thought of others. He viewed himself as an ambassador for Christ, even though in chains. He was always praying to
God for “the saints” (all fellow brothers and sisters in Christ). He brought the Gospel to fellow prisoners, opening his mouth boldly to tell them about his Savior. We can learn much from Paul's service!