[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
As Paul concludes this great epistle, he warns us about the spiritual warfare we face as members of the Body of Christ. If we are going to serve God, we must fight the good fight of faith as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:3). We are not to be focused on fighting against flesh and blood enemies. Satan uses men (Eph. 4:14), but we must see beyond the people he uses and understand what he is doing in opposition to God’s purpose and plan. There is a vast spirit world that is invisible (Col. 1:16) to our physical eyes, but we can know the truth about it from the word of God. The principalities (territories of a prince), powers (authorities), and rulers (princes) that we fight against has to do with spiritual wickedness in high places.
Satan always opposes what God is doing, and how he works is always in accordance with how God is working. When Christ was on the earth doing visible signs and wonders, Satan’s opposition was also visible. God is working spiritually, not visibly, in this present age. Therefore, Satan is also working spiritually and not visibly. Paul warns us again and again about spiritual deception (e.g. 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:13). If we fail to put on the whole armor of God, we will not be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (clever tricks designed to deceive).
Ephesians opened with our spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3) and now it closes with our spiritual battle in high places. Israel is God’s earthly people. The Body of Christ is His heavenly people (Eph. 2:6). God gave Israel a piece of land and they had to fight flesh and blood enemies to possess and enjoy what was already theirs. Likewise, God has given us “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places” and we must fight spiritual enemies to appropriate and enjoy what is already ours. Just as Israel was to fight their enemies by depending on the power of God, we must be “strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” if we are going to stand against our enemies. In the book of Exodus, God redeemed Israel out of Egypt. In the book of Joshua, He brought them into the land of promise. In between those books (book of Numbers) we see that Israel failed to possess their land at the first because of unbelief and therefore wandered in the wilderness. The book of Romans teaches us about our redemption by the blood of Christ. The book of Ephesians teaches us about the spiritual blessings God wants us to walk in and enjoy. In between those books we learn that it is possible for believers to not appropriate who they are in Christ because of unbelief and therefore wander in a spiritual wilderness (1 Corinthians and Galatians).
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
[18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
[19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
[20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Paul liked to use metaphors. I am sure that he was very familiar with the armor of a Roman soldier (he was probably being guarded by one as he wrote this epistle). In this passage he uses the pieces of the soldier’s armor metaphorically to teach about the spiritual qualities we must walk in each day if we are going to stand in the evil day. The picture is that of a soldier fully dressed in armor and standing ready to fight.
Notice how Paul called it the WHOLE armor of God. He mentions seven pieces (the number of perfection). If we leave off a piece, Satan will find that opening. It is God’s responsibility to provide the armor, but it is our responsibility to put it on. A spiritual war against spiritual enemies requires spiritual weapons (2 Cor. 10:3-6). To put on this spiritual armor is to put on Christ (Rom. 13:11-14). As to our standing, we put on Christ the moment of salvation. But as to our state, we must put on Christ by faith in our daily walk. We are to “stand” (mentioned 3 times) and “withstand” (to oppose and resist).
1) Loins girt about with truth
The soldiers loins was girt about with a strong leather belt that held other pieces of his armor together. The truth is foundational to the whole armor of God. Christ is the truth (Jn. 14:6) and the scripture is the truth (Jn. 17:17). Satan is a liar (Jn. 8:44) and he deceives through counterfeit (2 Cor. 11:3-4, 14-15). We must be grounded in the truth (Eph. 4:11-15; 2 Tim. 3:13-17). If it were not possible for believers to be deceived, why did Paul say again and again “be not deceived”? We must be genuine and sincere in our Christian walk (Eph. 6:24; 2 Cor. 4:2). Satan can spot a fake.
2) The breastplate of righteousness
The breastplate covered the vital organs of the heart and lungs. Without a breastplate the soldier would not last very long in the battle. We cannot stand against the devil and his army without righteousness. In another passage Paul refers to the “armour of righteousness” (2 Cor. 6:7).
a) Positional - righteousness of Christ given to us by faith (Rom. 3:22)
b) Practical - righteousness of Christ through us (Rom. 6:12-18)
3) Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
The right shoes was important for a soldier. Warfare was often hand to hand combat. The soldier’s shoes had nails in the heels to give him traction. The application is that we must be prepared to preach the gospel (Rom. 1:15-16; 10:15) no matter where we are. Paul was faithful to preach the gospel to kings and servants alike. Satan is working to keep the lost blinded to the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4-6). We should pray about getting souls saved (1 Tim. 2:1-4), but let’s put feet to our prayers (1 Tim. 2:5-7)! It is the “gospel of peace” because it is the good news of how sinners can have peace with God (Rom. 5:1).
4) The shield of faith
The soldier’s shield was large enough for him to hide behind when fiery darts were shot at him. Notice the priority of the shield, “Above all.” Faith is essential to operate all the other pieces. That it is why it is the central piece listed. Satan and his soldiers will shoot fiery darts of doubts, fears, lies, and many other evil things. Faith in God’s word will quench ALL the fiery darts! We are saved through faith, and we must walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7). The shield is not our faith, but the object of our faith (Ps. 33:20; Prov. 30:5).
5) The helmet of salvation
Obviously the helmet was an absolute necessity for the soldier to protect the vital organ of his brain. Assurance of salvation is essential to being a good soldier of Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 1:5). By comparing scripture with scripture (1 Thess. 5:8-9), we learn that the helmet of salvation is the knowledge of our blessed hope. We are to be looking for Christ to come and catch us away to heaven before the prophesied tribulation period ever begins. Our rapture was a mystery revealed to Paul (1 Cor. 15:51) and is only found in his epistles (1 Thess. 4:13-18; Phil. 3:20-21). Many preachers today are teaching that the Church will go through some, or even all, of the tribulation period because they do not rightly divide the word of truth.
6) The sword of the Spirit
This is our main offensive weapon. With this sharp sword we may cut spiritual enemies (Heb. 4:12; Ps. 149:6). That God promised to provide us with the sword of the Spirit proves that we still have the inspired word of God today. Satan hates the word of God and has attacked it from the beginning (Gen. 3:1). He wants to replace our sharp sword with something else. Most professing Christians today are using a butter knife (corrupt modern versions) instead of a two-edged sword (the pure King James Bible). Among those that use the sword of the Spirit, many do not know how to handle it (Heb. 5:11-14; 2 Tim. 2:15). With the sword of the Spirit we may:
a) Defeat temptation (Matt. 4:1-11; 1 Cor. 10:13)
b) Evangelize the lost
c) Build believers up in the faith
7) Praying always
We need constant communication with our Captain. Prayer is both a defensive and offensive weapon. Praying in the Spirit is not praying in some kind of unintelligible “prayer language.” All believers are “in the Spirit” (Rom. 8:9, 14-16). The ministry of the Spirit has been emphasized throughout this epistle (1:13-14; 2:18, 22; 3:5, 16; 4:3, 30; 5:9, 18; 6:17-18). Real prayer is a spiritual labor that the world, flesh, and devil will oppose (Col. 4:12). We are to pray ALWAYS with ALL prayer and ALL perseverance for ALL saints. Paul requests specific prayer for boldness to speak the “mystery of the gospel.” In Colossians, he requested prayer to for boldness to speak the “mystery of Christ” (Col. 4:2-4). This corresponds with his twofold ministry (Col. 1:23-29). Satan hates these mysteries and is actively opposing those who labor to make them known. We need to pray for boldness to keep speaking the truth in the face of his fierce opposition.
[21] But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
[22] Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
[23] Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[24] Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Tychicus was a faithful co-laborer with Paul (Acts 20:4; Col. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12). That Paul requested the prayers of the saints at Ephesus, and that they were concerned for him, illustrates the great truth of this epistle: ALL THE SAINTS ARE IN ONE BODY.
No comments:
Post a Comment