Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV – 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For 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. 13Therefore 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. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying 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,
Ephesians 6:10-11: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
- The implications is that will be a time when you will be attacked and you will need to stand
Ephesians 6:12: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
- Here is what we wrestle against:
- against the rulers,
- against the authorities,
- against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
- against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
- High level spirits – living in the second heaven
- Lower level spirits – living in the first heaven
Ephesians 6:13: Therefore,
- Because you are in a battlefield and this is the nature of the fight, not that you may be in it, even if you don’t realize it, you are in it.
Ephesians 6:13a: Therefore take up the whole armor of God
- Every piece of armor that God provides you should put it on.
Ephesians 6:13b: that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:14: Stand therefore,
- Paul says:
- put the armor to withstand, and having all to stand and there we are called to stand
Ephesians 6:14: Stand therefore, and this is how you have to do it:
- having fastened on the belt of truth
- having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and,
- as shoes for your feet having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace
Ephesians 6:16: In all circumstances:
- take up the shield of faith
- take the helmet of salvation
- and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
- praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
- We have to resist the evil schemes, to not become slaves again of darkness, and Paul warns the early christians to not be enslaved all over again.
1 Peter 5:6-9 ESV
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
1 John 5:17-21 ESV
17All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. 18We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21Little children, keep yourselves from idols.