Ephesians 6:12-18
My home is a fortress against intruders. Security alarm. Check. Video cameras. Check. Motion lights. Check. But my neighbor gave me some startling news last week. When her tennis team met for a game, the ladies in the group counted six families in our neighborhood they knew personally who had fallen victim to daytime robberies. Someone has been kicking in back doors, entering homes, and stealing cash. I was stunned. Disarmed. Aghast. In the daytime? The back door?
We prepare for the crises. We anticipate emergencies. We even make accommodations for losses. But, as Oswald Chambers pointed out in today’s entry in My Utmost for His Highest, those are seldom the instances that pose the greatest threat to our Christian walk. Instead, it is the day-to-dayness of our lives…the ordinariness…the “drudgery” or sameness that lulls us into a state of ignorance that we are, in fact, in a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week battle against unseen spiritual forces.
(12) For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
We oppose a strong enemy. He has a government. He has an organized strategy. He rules over an expansive domain. He is powerful. Deceptive. Awake.
That’s why we need the armour of God.
(13) This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
So we can stand against the enemy. Aware at all times. Ready to resist. On our own, we have no sufficient strength, defense or security. We are an open invitation to the destroyer of our soul. But we have been given the full suit of battle gear that will allow us to win against the devil.
(14) Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist…
Last night Alia gave a wonderful illustration of this belt of truth. She likened it to the thick, sturdy belt that enables employees at Home Depot to lift heavy items and still stand up straight. That is what the Truth of God does for us in every situation. Regardless of our racing thoughts, uncontrollable emotions, or strong desires, we are able to stand up against the attacks of the enemy when we consider Who God is. His authority. His purpose. His love. His protection. His mercy. His redemption. His sovereignty. His wisdom. His plan. His purpose. The unsearchable truths of God give clarity to our circumstances and restraint to our emotions. But it only works if it is truth that we have accepted. Not just acknowledged. We must come to grips with the fact that only the Truth of God is reality. Everything else is make believe. And the lies are everywhere.
…righteousness like armor on your chest,
The breastplate of righteousness is who we are in Christ. In right standing with God through our faith in Christ. Redeemed. Accepted. Forgiven. Loved. Adopted. Positioned with Christ in the heavenlies. A visitor on this earth and a citizen of heaven. Transformed. Destined for glory. The full condition of a heart surrendered to God.
(15) and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
If you’ve ever been on a long walk in uncomfortable shoes, you know how miserable the journey is and how unlikely it is that you’ll be willing or able to make it to your destination. When our spiritual feet are shod properly, we can walk steadfastly in the peace and strength that God provides. When we rest in the Truth of Who our God is, and who we are in Christ, we are strengthened and ready to march.
Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You.
Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As Andy said on Sunday, good shoes allow a soldier to get “from Point A to Point B.” Walking with purpose. All the way to victory.
(16) In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Faith is total dependence and trust in God. Leaning on Him. Resting in Him. Claiming His promises because He is trustworthy.
Ephesians 6:17
(17) Take the helmet of salvation…
The helmet of salvation is the hope we have in Christ because of His work of redemption. Not only will He finish the work He started in us
Philippians 1:6: I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
but we can have full confidence that God is working out every situation and every circumstance for His good purpose.
Romans 8:28: We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word.
The Sword of the Spirit is scripture that is fitted specifically for any and every situation.
Heb 4:12: For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.
(18) With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
Pray at all times, in all situations, constantly talking to and depending on the One who has all power and all authority over every created thing. The truth is, prayer, in itself, can involve a spiritual battle. So suit up. Get dressed before you get on your knees. And, as we are learning in our Sunday night study of The Power of a Praying Wife/Husband, we need to pray for our spouses, our families, and each other.
Truth? Check. Redemption? Check. Peace? Check. Salvation? Check. Word of God? Check. Faith? Check. Prayer? Check.
Let’s roll.
We prepare for the crises. We anticipate emergencies. We even make accommodations for losses. But, as Oswald Chambers pointed out in today’s entry in My Utmost for His Highest, those are seldom the instances that pose the greatest threat to our Christian walk. Instead, it is the day-to-dayness of our lives…the ordinariness…the “drudgery” or sameness that lulls us into a state of ignorance that we are, in fact, in a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week battle against unseen spiritual forces.
(12) For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
We oppose a strong enemy. He has a government. He has an organized strategy. He rules over an expansive domain. He is powerful. Deceptive. Awake.
That’s why we need the armour of God.
(13) This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
So we can stand against the enemy. Aware at all times. Ready to resist. On our own, we have no sufficient strength, defense or security. We are an open invitation to the destroyer of our soul. But we have been given the full suit of battle gear that will allow us to win against the devil.
(14) Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist…
Last night Alia gave a wonderful illustration of this belt of truth. She likened it to the thick, sturdy belt that enables employees at Home Depot to lift heavy items and still stand up straight. That is what the Truth of God does for us in every situation. Regardless of our racing thoughts, uncontrollable emotions, or strong desires, we are able to stand up against the attacks of the enemy when we consider Who God is. His authority. His purpose. His love. His protection. His mercy. His redemption. His sovereignty. His wisdom. His plan. His purpose. The unsearchable truths of God give clarity to our circumstances and restraint to our emotions. But it only works if it is truth that we have accepted. Not just acknowledged. We must come to grips with the fact that only the Truth of God is reality. Everything else is make believe. And the lies are everywhere.
…righteousness like armor on your chest,
The breastplate of righteousness is who we are in Christ. In right standing with God through our faith in Christ. Redeemed. Accepted. Forgiven. Loved. Adopted. Positioned with Christ in the heavenlies. A visitor on this earth and a citizen of heaven. Transformed. Destined for glory. The full condition of a heart surrendered to God.
(15) and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
If you’ve ever been on a long walk in uncomfortable shoes, you know how miserable the journey is and how unlikely it is that you’ll be willing or able to make it to your destination. When our spiritual feet are shod properly, we can walk steadfastly in the peace and strength that God provides. When we rest in the Truth of Who our God is, and who we are in Christ, we are strengthened and ready to march.
Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You.
Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As Andy said on Sunday, good shoes allow a soldier to get “from Point A to Point B.” Walking with purpose. All the way to victory.
(16) In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Faith is total dependence and trust in God. Leaning on Him. Resting in Him. Claiming His promises because He is trustworthy.
Ephesians 6:17
(17) Take the helmet of salvation…
The helmet of salvation is the hope we have in Christ because of His work of redemption. Not only will He finish the work He started in us
Philippians 1:6: I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
but we can have full confidence that God is working out every situation and every circumstance for His good purpose.
Romans 8:28: We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word.
The Sword of the Spirit is scripture that is fitted specifically for any and every situation.
Heb 4:12: For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.
(18) With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
Pray at all times, in all situations, constantly talking to and depending on the One who has all power and all authority over every created thing. The truth is, prayer, in itself, can involve a spiritual battle. So suit up. Get dressed before you get on your knees. And, as we are learning in our Sunday night study of The Power of a Praying Wife/Husband, we need to pray for our spouses, our families, and each other.
Truth? Check. Redemption? Check. Peace? Check. Salvation? Check. Word of God? Check. Faith? Check. Prayer? Check.
Let’s roll.
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