The Fight

The Letter to the EPHESIANS, Chapter 6

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 

• The phrase here “be strong” is an imperative that’s best understood with a passive meaning. That means that this phrase can actually be translated as, “be made strong,” or “be strengthened.”
• David was strengthened by the Lord (1 Samuel 30)

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 

• Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5.8)

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. 

• Don’t look at people themselves as the enemy, but the forces of spiritual wickedness that drives people as the enemy. When we do this, we learn how to rightly fight our battles… on our knees.

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. 

• Check out this song from my childhood that I grew up listening to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_4PyCS_4AU

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

• Philosopher and apologist Frank Turek says, “evil can’t exist unless good exists. But good can’t exist unless God exists. In other words, there can be no objective evil unless there is objective good, and there can be no objective good unless God exists. If evil is real—and we all know it is—then God exists.”

15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 

• Know and rehearse the gospel story, as it strengthens your faith and helps others come to faith.

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 

18 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, 

• When we pray in the Spirit, we are praying under the guidance and direction of the Lord. We don’t simply pray, but we even ask the Lord to direct our prayers.

19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 

• Will you open your mouth boldly this week for the Lord?!

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

• One of the most impactful sermons that I’ve ever heard was titled, “Ambassador in Chains.” The big idea is that, although he was locked up for his beliefs, Paul did not let his chains stop him from being a representative for the risen Christ. How many of us have no physical chains, but we won’t speak about our beliefs. Many of us, while not in chains physically, are in chains mentally.