Paul ends his letter to the Ephesians with a call to battle. He wrote these words in chains, probably guarded by a Roman soldier, and he used that soldier’s armor as a picture of the believer’s spiritual equipment. Throughout Ephesians Paul has described our blessings in Christ, our unity and our new way of life. Now he warns that we have a real enemy who opposes all of this. The good news is that God does not send us into battle unprepared. He gives us His own strength, armor and access to prayer.
Strong in the Lord
Paul writes, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Ephesians 6:10-12). Our strength is not our own. He tells us to put on the whole armor of God so we can stand against the wiles, or schemes, of the devil. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers of darkness. This means the people who frustrate us are not our true enemy. The real battle is spiritual, and so are our weapons, which are mighty through God to pull down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). Peter warns that the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We stay alert and sober, but we do not fear, for Christ has already won.
Which relationship or situation have you been treating as a fight with a person, and how could you begin to fight it in prayer instead?
Every Piece Matters
Paul describes each piece of armor (Ephesians 6:13-17). The belt of truth holds everything together. The breastplate of righteousness guards the heart. Feet ready with the gospel of peace keep us standing firm. The shield of faith quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one. The helmet of salvation protects our minds. And the sword of the Spirit is the word of God. This armor is really God’s own; Isaiah pictured the Lord Himself putting on righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation (Isaiah 59:17). The sword is our only weapon for attack, and it is sharp enough to divide soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus used Scripture against Satan in the wilderness, and so can we. Put on all of it, every day.
Which piece of the armor do you most often neglect, and what practical habit will help you put it on each day this week?
Praying Always
Paul does not end with the armor. He adds, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18). Prayer is the power that makes the armor work. We are to pray at all times, stay watchful, and keep praying for all the saints. Paul tells the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Then he asks for prayer for himself: not for release from prison, but for boldness to open his mouth and make known the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19-20). He asked the Colossians for the same thing, that God would open a door for the word (Colossians 4:3). Our prayers for one another matter. As we pray in the Spirit, we stand together as an army that cannot be defeated.
Which leader, missionary or fellow believer will you commit to pray for by name every day this week, and what will you ask God for them?
Conclusion
Ephesians closes by preparing us for battle. We are strong only in the Lord and His mighty power, because our true enemy is spiritual. God gives us His whole armor, from the belt of truth to the sword of the Spirit, so we can stand firm. And we pray always in the Spirit, for ourselves and for one another. Jesus has already defeated the enemy at the cross. In Him we stand, and in Him we win.
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