Ephesians is a great book of the bible to study. I have been reading through it and the verses have strengthened my faith, encouraged my relationships and showed me things that I lack, things that I need to work on. One of those things I was challenged with came from Ephesians 6:10-18…
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
First of all, we are reminded that the devil exists and he schemes actively. Verse 12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Back in Ephesians 2:1-2, John 12:31, and 2 Corinthians 4:4 scriptures explains about Satan as the “ruler of this world.”
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” – Ephesians 2:1-2
“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.” – John 12:31
Although Satan is the rule of this world, believers are saved from his darkness.
“For he (God) has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – Colossians 1:13-14
So this struggle, this spiritual war, is against Satan and his schemes. Schemes which he has been trying to refine for thousands of years. He attacks us, he oppresses us, he comes to “kill, steal and destroy!” (John 10:10)
The good news is God has given us a way to protect ourselves in the midst of this war. In Ephesians 6 we are given the Armor Of God to dress ourselves…
The question is: Are You Putting On The Armor of God Daily?
Verse 13 starts off with a command, “Therefore PUT on the FULL Armor of God.” It doesn’t say you are saved through grace and now you will always be automatically dressed in the armor of God! It tells YOU to put it on, and not just some of it…the “FULL” armor! Lets take a look at what the FULL armor is…
Belt of Truth –
Truth: sincerity in action, character, and utterance; fidelity to an original or to a standard
Do we speak the truth in our lives? Do we rebuke Satan’s lies according to the Truth found in God’s word? Do we surround ourselves with truth? As wives do we have sincerity in action towards our spouse?
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
Breastplate of Righteousness –
Righteousness: acting in accord with divine or moral law; free from guilt or sin; genuine, excellent
Do we understand that Christ died for ALL of our sins, forgiving us and washing us clean? Do we uphold the commands of our Heavenly Father and those given to us by His Son? Do we love the Lord? Do we love our husbands and take care of him like we love ourselves?
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” – Isaiah 43:25
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:39
Gospel of Peace –
Gospel: the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation
Peace: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony in personal relations
Are we always ready to give an account of our faith? Do we grasp the good news of Christ’s love story? Do we walk in peace? Are we bearers of peace or of discord? Do we claim the gospel of peace, freedom and harmony within our marriages?
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” – 1 Peter 3:15
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:16
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” – Romans 12:16
Shield of Faith –
Faith: firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust; loyalty
Is our faith in God unwavering? Do we trust God? Are we loyal to him? Do we believe we can “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” including his schemes against marriage?
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” – 1 Peter 1: 3-9
Helmet of Salvation –
Salvation: deliverance from the power and effects of sin; preservation from destruction or failure
Do we appreciate what Christ sacrificed so that we may live with God in eternity? Do we understand the extent to which he suffered on our behalf? Do we accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior, believing in our heart and confessing with our mouth? Do we believe Jesus heals us? Does our heart break for the lost and lonely, like His does, so much that it’s always on our mind, motivating our hearts to take action with those around us? Do we grasp the representation marriage has to the unconditional love and sacrifice of Christ?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5
“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body.” – Ephesians 5:22-30
Sword of The Spirit (Word of God)–
Spirit: a supernatural being or essence; Holy Spirit
Do we live by the word of God? Do we know it by heart to use as a weapon against the enemy, just as Jesus did in the desert? Do we meditate on God’s word to understand the foundation of our belief? Do we see the word as ALIVE, God’s Holy Spirit, teaching us His ways? Do we speak the promises of the scriptures over our husbands and family?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” – John 1:1- 5
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” – 2 Peter 1:3-4
Pray In All Occasions –
Pray: entreat, implore —often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea; to address God with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving
Do we pray in all occasions, good AND bad? Do we address God daily? Are we praying for our loved ones? Are we praying protection over our marriage and family? Do we thank God with a humble heart?
“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” – James 5:13
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2
The Armor of God has been given to us by our God, our Commander in Chief; laid out before us as a tool to protect and defend! They are disciplines that we should be actively doing DAILY! God is calling His army, His body, His followers, to fight against the evil one! Will you PUT on the FULL Armor of God?
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.” -1 Timothy 6:12-16
