The Armour of God
The book of Ephesians teaches what is true and what to do, what we believe and how we should live it out. Having finished the teaching on living as husbands and wives, parents and children, employers and employees, the Holy Spirit now moves to show us how to have victory in our lives. To win in every fight, we need to know we’re in a fight, who we’re fighting, and what tools we have to fight with. Ephesians six does all this in teaching us all about God’s Powerful Armour.
Scripture
Ephesians 6:10-23 ESV 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 schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm.
Be strong in God
After chapters of teaching us how to live in godly relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, employers and employees, we're told to be strong in the Lord and in His might. What does this imply about our own strength and that of God?
Ephesians 6:10 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Finally, after we've been taught how to build heavenly homes, to live right as the Church
First be strong in the Lord, and His strength
Exodus 14:13-14 ESV And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Psalms 46:10 ESV “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Stand in God's Strength against the enemy
If our own strength is insufficient, how do we know that the power that God provides is sufficient and effective?
Ephesians 6:11 ESV Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
We need spiritual protection, powerful armour that comes from God, and is of God
God has provided spiritual protection for us to live godly lives
Without it we will be knocked down and destroyed by an enemy, the devil
The enemy is cunning, scheming and powerful
John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Ephesians 1:19-21 ESV and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
We are in a war, but not with people
We all need to come to the realisation that life is not a playground, it's a battlefield. Can we step out of the war zone and choose to have no part in it, will that ensure our safety?
Ephesians 6:12a ESV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
It's taken as fact that we're in a war, in constant conflict
Our conflict is not against human beings or their power
2 Timothy 3:12 ESV Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
1 Peter 5:8 ESV Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
The enemy is powerful and organised
The enemy is not just the devil, but also the rebellious angels that follow him. What are these enemies like?
Ephesians 6:12b ESV but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
The enemy is unseen, powerful and organised
The enemy is evil, violent, deceitful
John 8:44 ESV You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Luke 22:31-33 ESV “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”
God has provided complete protection
The armour is there for the taking, it is God's power for us and so is immeasurably powerful. How does God impart this power to us, how do we take it up?
Ephesians 6:13a ESV Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
The armour is there for the taking
We must actually do something to take it up
There are different parts and we must take all of them, we need all of them
Colossians 2:13-15 ESV And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Nehemiah 8:10 ESV Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Ephesians 6:18 ESV praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
The day is evil, withstand it
As soldiers in God's army, we have come to realise that we're in a war and that the enemy is powerful and dangerous - but remember - Jesus has already won. Knowing that Jesus has already won, do we fight for victory, or stand firm in His victory?
Ephesians 6:13b ESV that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
The days we live in, until the return of Christ are especially wicked.
We are called to overcome this wickedness by standing firm in our faith
1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
The war is not just being, it is also doing
Once our priorities are right and we are trusting in God's power and not our own, we must remember that there are things to be done. What things should we be doing every day?
Ephesians 6:13c ESV and having done all, to stand firm.
We trust God to be the ultimate victor through Jesus Christ, standing firm in that faith
We must also do what He tells us to do, we cannot just be passive
God exercises great strength through those who obey Him
James 5:16-18 ESV Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.