It Starts Small

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17

Finally

Here we stand at the conclusion of the book of Ephesians. Paul powerfully unveils essential truths. These truths build our faith. In the past two chapters, he has passionately shared practical guidance for our everyday Christian lives. He taught us how we should treat our fellow believers within the church. He also highlighted the significance of love and respect in our families. Now, he boldly shifts his focus. The battle against insidious evil is crucial. He confronts the satanic forces that lurk in the world. His message is vital for any believer. It helps those who long to maintain a vibrant relationship with God. It also guides them to lead a life of triumph. If we falter in this spiritual warfare, we risk ourselves. Furthermore, our families and our church will bear the heavy consequences.

Be strong in the Lord

We must awaken to the undeniable truth. We are frail, and we are sinners. On our own, we stand powerless in the face of Satan’s temptation! He is arguably the mightiest being in the universe, second only to God and perhaps the archangel Michael himself. With cunning intellect, he has crafted an array of treacherous schemes that have ensnared countless believers throughout history. He is a formidable adversary, relentless in his pursuit. Yet, there is hope! The only path to victory lies in our unwavering reliance on God and the unshakeable strength He provides.

take your stand against the devil’s schemes

Make no mistake: Satan and his demons are fiercely active in this world! They harbor a deep-seated hatred for God and for all who follow Him. Their relentless ambition is to wage war against God and His kingdom. There is nothing they relish more than seeing believers stumble into sin. They also take delight in watching unbelievers with hardened hearts turn away from the gospel. Unable to conquer God Himself, they aim for the next best target—defeating His devoted followers!

This is a fierce strike at the heart of God, for He is profoundly grieved when we stumble. It is a way to rob us of the joy that comes from His abundant blessings. Those who persist in such spite and misery are truly wretched; their misery craves companionship. They are acutely aware of their condemnation by God. Their sole aim is to pull as many souls down with them as they can. Their strategies are insidious and strikingly effective. They ensnared humanity in the Garden of Eden and have ensnared countless souls ever since. This is the face of our adversary.

our struggle is not against flesh and blood

Our fight transcends mere conflicts with our unbelieving parents; it is not a battle against communism, democrats, Obama, or evolutionists. Why? Because these individuals are merely pawns in a grander scheme! Even the most misguided politicians are blind pawns. They are oblivious to the deeper forces at play. They are caught up in a struggle far greater than themselves!

Who is the battle between? This is no ordinary conflict. It is a fierce struggle that has raged for millennia. This may have started long before the very earth was even conceived! At its core is an epic clash between Satan and his demons, pitted against God and His radiant angels. It’s a monumental battle between the forces of good and the darkest depths of evil—there can be no compromise! Satan adheres to no codes of combat, no Geneva Conventions; his is an all-out war with no quarter given. His relentless aim is nothing short of total annihilation of all that is good, holy, and just!

So if they are invisible to us, how do they fight? They insidiously shape the world’s mindset. They erect deceptive systems of belief that ensnare the unsuspecting. They entice people to stray into sin. They work tirelessly to fracture the very foundations of the church through discord. Often, they masquerade as forces for good. They urge individuals to strive earnestly for salvation. At other times, they lure humanity into unfathomable depths of evil. These depths include murder, violence, and terrorism that shatter lives. Satan is cunning, a master of deceit. False teachers share this crafty nature; they won’t walk into the church boldly proclaiming, “Hi. I am a false teacher. And today my topic is worshiping Satan.” No, Satan operates in shadows, weaving a web of subtlety and stealth. He deftly avoids direct clashes. Instead, he manipulates the world’s culture and societal norms. He pulls the strings from behind the scenes.

Stand Firm

What is our unwavering goal? Our goal is to stand resolute, to resist fiercely. We shall never surrender. We must never give in. We will combat this evil wherever it lurks—in our own lives. It hides within our beloved family and friends, in the sacred church, the workplace, and the vast world around us. And we do this not by our own might, but through the divine power that God bestows upon us. God has armed us with the indispensable rules of combat:

• Flee temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18)
•  Resist the devil (James 4:7)
•  Seek fellowship and accountability (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Proverbs 27:17)
•  Meeting together with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25)
•  Pray at all times (Ephesians 6:18)
•  Seek wisdom from above (James 3:17-18)
•  Avoid places of temptation (Psalm 1)

FULL armor of God

What are we to do? We must put on the full armor of God! The word “full” carries immense weight. Picture a soldier charging into battle, donning only part of his armor—what a vulnerability! He becomes an easy target, exposing a weak point that his enemy will ruthlessly exploit. That critical error could cost him his very life. The same holds true for us in the spiritual realm. Each of these vital characteristics is indispensable for our triumph. If we neglect even one, we expose ourselves to Satan’s strikes on our fragile defenses. We will stumble inevitably.

God equips us with divine armor, offering everything we need to triumph! There is no reason for us to falter, no justification for not embracing the richness of His provisions. This is God’s unwavering protection for our lives! Yet, we face a crucial decision: will we don this armor? When a commander arms a soldier, but the soldier neglects to wear it, the responsibility lies squarely on him. The same goes for us! If we fail to adorn ourselves with this sacred armor, we must own that choice. It’s a daily decision, a commitment to a powerful lifestyle! God provides us with abundant resources; it’s our duty to wield them boldly!

What is the significance of the belt, helmet, shield, etc?

Consider each piece of armor one by one. Is any one of them truly more vital than the rest? Many individuals dedicate countless hours to dissecting the precise benefits of the breastplate, shield, helmet, and so on. However, I fervently believe that this focus misses the larger message! The armor serves as a powerful parable. If we overanalyze each component, we risk losing sight of the profound truth it conveys. Pay close attention to the cross-references at the end of this section. You will see righteousness portrayed as a belt in one instance. It appears as a weapon in another and a breastplate here. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, faith is described as a breastplate. If you refer to the breastplate as salvation, its meaning remains intact. The meaning of the helmet is also significant as righteousness!

You can glean how incredibly vital each piece is from the vivid depictions of the belt, helmet, and shield. Every single element is absolutely essential. The absence of even one leaves the soldier exposed and at risk. This concept beautifully intertwines with the idea of full armor. The armor stands as a whole, magnificent and complete. We must embrace each piece wholeheartedly. If we neglect even one aspect of our lives, we leave a door wide open for Satan to strike. He is relentless, always targeting our most vulnerable points!

All the weapons mentioned are defensive, except one—the singular offensive weapon we possess. What is this powerful tool? Consider its significance! This is a message we must embrace fervently. We cannot wage war with mere thoughts, words, or opinions! Trust me, I’ve poured my heart and soul into logical arguments. I have tried to persuade others to embrace faith. I’ve found it utterly fruitless! We simply cannot talk anyone into heaven. If I wish to inspire someone to become a believer, I must wield the Word. This allows the Spirit to work profoundly in their hearts. If I truly desire transformation in our society, the Word must be my guide! Lobbying or suggesting social reforms will never yield the lasting impact we seek. Ultimately, it is only a genuine revival that can ignite true change in a nation!

God’s Word is what convicts the heart, changes societies, saves families, touches lives, etc. This is our weapon.

If a soldier stands at the crossroads, the choice is crystal clear. Should they wield a majestic sword or a simple towel? The answer is the sword! Yet, when we opt for anything less potent than the sword of the Spirit, it becomes like grasping a towel. A pillow would be utterly ineffective in battle. Every soldier must be thoroughly trained in their arms! Are you honing your skills with God’s Word, the ultimate weapon of truth? How can you deepen your mastery of this powerful tool? Remember, the more you wield it, the sharper your skills will become, transforming you into a formidable swordsman!

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Cross References:

• Isaiah 40:31
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
• Colossians 1:11
• 1 Peter 5:8-9
• Romans 13:14
• Colossians 3:10
• 1 Corinthians 10:13
• Romans 8:38-39
• Colossians 1:13
• Colossians 2:15

Reflective Questions:

• Why use the word “finally” here?
• How can we be strong?
• How can we put the armor on?
• What is the purpose?
• What is the real war taking place in the world?
• Who is it between?
• Who or what are the rulers/powers/world forces/spiritual forces of wickedness?
• What are they doing in the world?
• What is their goal?
• Who are they serving?
• How can we fight back?
• How can we win?
• What is the purpose of the armor?
• What does it mean to stand firm?
• Against what should we stand firm?
• How were these pieces used in war at the time?
• What is the significance of assigning certain characteristics to certain parts of the body?

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See Also: Blog Series – Armor of God

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