Ephesians 6:10-20
Saturday, 31 July 2021
“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” -Ephesians 6:13 [NLT]
In chapters 5&6 of Ephesians, Paul gives specific instructions to every category of people in the church on how to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. He patiently explains their responsibilities, exhorting them to become new wine in new wineskins, behaving in a manner that would honour the God whom they worship. This applies to each of us following the Lord.
With the instructions, Paul also enlightens us that no matter who we are, all of us have a common enemy. So every time there arises a difference between a husband and wife, a master and slave or a parent and child- we are called to remember that our war is not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities (Eph.6:12). Failing to remember this, we would end up fighting with each other and the real enemy would go unhurt.
When we are vulnerable, the enemy sends triggers that make us succumb to his tricks and fall into his trap. What do we do to take a stand against the devil and live a victorious Christian life?
Paul gives us 3 strategies:
Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power [Eph.6:10]: Isaiah 40:29 says “He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.” Jesus in Acts 1: 4 &8 tells His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, to be His witnesses. The call is the same for us. We can never fight forces of darkness in our own strength, but with the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the authority to drive out demons, cure diseases, preach the kingdom and heal the sick [Luke 9:1].
Put on the full armour of God [Eph.6:13]: Firefighters are always ready for any emergency situation. None of them would get into the fire without wearing their protective gear! In the same manner Paul reminds us to be in the right attire to withstand the assault.
Paul reminds us to
Wear the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness: Jesus is the truth that holds us. He has imputed his righteousness to us, transforming us from a degenerate person to become a child of the Most High God. Our character is our defense. Now the enemy has nothing to say about us as we are clothed in Christ. [Gal. 3:27]
Feet to be fitted with gospel of peace: In a world torn apart with hatred and strife, we who serve ‘The Prince of Peace’ need to be his ambassadors of peace. We carry this message: Christ is our peace and he reconciled to himself all things by making peace through His blood shed on the cross as we understand from Colossians 1:20.
Shield of faith: Faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross is our standing against the enemy. It extinguishes every lie that he shoots at us.
Helmet of salvation: The salvation Christ bought us protects us from every accusing thought that the accuser throws at us; for God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ [1Thess. 5:9].
The sword- the Word of God: Our war is spiritual and so we need to fight this battle depending on God and His Word through prayer. Remember God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.
3. Pray in the Spirit: Prayer is the oxygen of the Christian life. Our communion with God can never be broken as long as we pray. As our battle is spiritual, Paul calls us to pray with the help of the Holy Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers. Even when we cannot express ourselves the Holy Spirit will help us and He will communicate our needs to our Heavenly Father.
If we follow all that Paul has taught us today, we are sure to live a consistent Christian Life that will honour God and also draw many to Him.
Think on it:
‘It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” (2 Sam. 22:33)
LIsten: 'Counting on God'
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