Ephesians

Taking a stand; putting on the full armor of God to war against those things we struggle with....... Spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6:1-4

Our wise and circumspect walk of Ephesians 15 is to be a walk where we are submitted one to another.  As this would change the relationship of husbands and wives, it also changes the relationship of children to their parents.  Children are commanded to obey their parents.  This is to be done in the fear of the Lord.  Paul said, “This is right.”   To obey in the fear of the Lord is a command to do this because God said.   It’s strange that we, as little sinners; lying stealing, disrespecting, arrogant snots expect our parents to be perfect and agree with everything we think is right.  Remember those days?  For many years, most of us thought our parents were the enemy of our happiness.  They wouldn’t let us do anything.  Yet, in reality, they were keeping us safe.  They gave us rules we neither agreed with or understand and we thus called them tyrants.  God does the same thing.  He gives us commands we don’t understand or agree with, but we obey because he is God. 

Kids who grow up with discipline, learning to obey because disobedience has consequences, grow up with balance.  They come to know boundaries and that there are those who might be able to teach them something.  In the fear of the Lord, they grow to know Him as a loving Father in contrast to the enemy of their souls who would entice them to destroy themselves with foolish, childish endeavors.  Children who’ve stopped learning are convinced they have learned all they need to know.  With this in mind, we must realize our world is in dire straits. 

The ‘children’ is not specific to an age; we are all children and we never grow to a point where we should no longer honor our parents.  In fact, the opposite is true.  As we grow, we come to respect our parents in a greater way.  We come to realize the burden we were to them.  We understand they were doing their best for our best.  Paul links his command right to the fifth commandment.  The promise of the commandment is that you will live long and it will go well if you honor your parents.  Sometimes its more impactful to us if we flip that around.  Dishonoring your parents leads to a short life that doesn’t go well.  Most of us remember our parents saying something along these lines to us when we were being disobedient.  

These are the truths of being raised in the Lord.  It’s not necessary to justify them, explain them or even agree; they are just biblical truths.  The truth of honoring your father and mother has a built-in blessing.  There is peace in the family.  That peace encourages loving relationships and the family is bonded together in peace, love and mutual respect.  Those things aren't possible if the order of things has broken down; if the kids are calling the shots and the parents despise them there will be no peace, limited love and no respect from either direction.

Fathers are then commanded not to provoke the children to wrath.  The mothers aren’t mentioned because it is assumed they are submitted to the husband as previously instructed.  Men, the responsibility lies on you.  We aren’t to unnecessarily anger our children.  While children should grow up knowing that some things should be done because father ‘says so’, we shouldn’t make rules for the sake of lording over their lives with a “because I said so” mentality.  We shouldn’t command the respect; we should endeavor to earn it.  This happens when we respectfully train and admonish them in the fear of the Lord.  The respect will then come in the course of things.  Any parent will tell you that there is no guide book on how to act in every circumstance.  Every parent knows they’ve made mistakes, whether they admit them openly or not. There is no substitute for acting in love.

The word for ‘training’ in verse four might be related to rewarding them when they do good and smacking them on the fanny when they don't.  It's training them that bad behavior brings bad results, pain and discomfort.  Good behavior brings happiness and blessings.

It's also interesting to note that Paul anticipated the kids were present in church to hear this when it was read.  This address to them was dropped right in the middle of some pretty heavy stuff.  Paul doesn't let them off the hook saying, “They’re just kids, they don’t know anything”.  They weren't having play time or taking a nap.  They weren’t even in children’s church or youth.  He expected them to be listening.  With all that has been talked about they wouldn't always understand.  That was when the parents were to step in and explain it.

Satan is always attacking the family.  Our families are being attacked like never before.  As Christian parents, we are to raise our kids in the fear of the Lord.  We are to protect them from the enemy who would love to lead them astray.  The godless world has quickly made itself your enemy.

Ephesians 6:5-9
Because over half the population of Ephesus was slave, making a large part of the church slave, this had to be said.  Other cities in the Roman empire had even greater slave populations.  There were millions and millions of slaves in those days.  Because of this, the attitude toward slaves had a profound effect on the church and culture.

Slavery then was much different than what we know as slavery.  Slaves were often times part of the family.  It wasn’t unusual for them to be well educated with a profession.  There were doctors and teachers that were slaves.  These people were initially bonded to families in servitude to pay some debt.  In time, they often became part of the family.  Normal bondslave servants though were treated as property.  There were obviously abuses and cruelty because fallen men were involved.  They were legally owned and their entire life was to be spent for the purpose of the master.

Paul isn’t addressing the ‘right or wrong’ of slavery – he obviously saw all people as equal in the eyes of the Lord.  No man should be allowed to oppress another.  However, this existed in society.  As such, what was the Christian ethic to look like?  We can take this master/slave relationship Paul is talking about and apply it to our work world.

The servant was to be characterized by obedience to their masters.

• With fear and trembling
  • This is the idea of profound respect that enlists a physical response.
  • Our earthly master is nothing compared to our heavenly master.
  • Service performed at the level of our greater master will serve the earthly.
• In sincerity of heart – as to Christ, not eyeservice, men-pleasers
  • This is no putting on a show, working only when the boss is watching.
  • We are to be the real deal.
  • Our obedience with a sincerity equal to that of our obedience to Jesus.  This is our response to His grace bestowed on our life.  It is with that heart, we are to serve our earthly masters. 
• With goodwill doing service
  • This is part of working with sincerity of heart, but I felt deserved a separate line.
  • The idea of goodwill is charitable acts.  Service from a lower status.  We are to serve as though serving God, as charitable acts performed as a lower status person.
    • Is this not what Jesus did? 

• The good done in the name of the Lord, would in turn be received from Him.
  • God notices the account of His children’s treatment of others.

The idea repeats throughout the expectation.  The servant was to be a servant that worked before the Lord, as though the Lord were present and watching.    The slave was to consider themselves as owned by the Lord and their life was spent for His purpose.  They were simply to be the best servant they could be.  We are all bondservants of Christ, bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus.  We serve Him, doing His will, from the heart.  Our ethic is consistent because of Jesus.  That ethic carries over to our service to our earthly masters.  

The earthly masters of these bondservants were to keep in mind, that they were bondservants of Jesus.  How awkward that would have been to have the slave and master both in the church.  They had become new creations in Christ, but the old relationship of slave/master still existed.  They had to work that out.  There was no distinction between and earthly master and the earthly servant in the eyes of God.  He did not look into the church and see a master or slave, but saw sons of God in Christ Jesus.  No partiality would be shown by God.  This was to serve as the groundwork for a mutual respect from the masters. 

Ephesians 6:10-13
As Paul approaches the end of his message, he says ‘finally’, and this has a feel of crescendo about it.  How is this Christian life possible?  How can we take the doctrine we’ve learned and continue to learn; and how can we walk it out?  How can this penetrate every aspect of our being?  How can we avoid the attacks of the enemy against our faith, our church, marriages, family and workplace?  How do we guard our hearts and minds and eyes in the Lord?  Paul says we must be strong in the Lord; not by our power and our ability but by the power of His might.  This strength and power is how you hold it all together amidst all the odds that seem to be against you.  This is the glue that defies all that you see and feel in the world, as it holds fast when you are sure everything is coming apart.

On the day that Moses inaugurated Joshua as the leader of Israel, he said this:

“Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you.” (NKJV; Deuteronomy 31:23; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

At the passing of Moses, Joshua encouraged the people to follow him as he led them to the Promised Land.  He said:

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. ⁸ This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(NKJV; Joshua 1:7-9; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

Paul’s encouragement sounds very similar to that of Moses and Joshua.  The power of His might is a sovereign power; an unquestionable authority over all.  We have access to this power.  There is a power that comes from Him that can keep us from sin.  To put it another way, when we don’t access that power, we become our own enemy!  We are acting in conjunction with Satan who would bring us down.  This proclivity to sin is our old nature, the old man, at work in us.

Be Strong

What does ‘being strong’ look like?  The first three chapters of Ephesians delivered to us all the reasons why we can be strong.

Our Heavenly Fathers Has:

• Blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places
  • He Chose us In Him before the foundation of the world
  • Predestined us to adoption as sons
  • He made us Accepted
• In Jesus we have:
  • Redemption through His blood
  • Obtained an inheritance
• The Holy Spirit Presence:
  • Has sealed us – authenticated out salvation.
  • Guarantees of inheritance - until redemption  

We have a great standing and spiritual position in the Lord.  This has a profound ability to strengthen and establish us in this fallen world.

• We can have faith, instead of fear.
• Love instead of hatred and anxiety.
• We can know the Spirit of wisdom and revelation within us.
• We’ll possess the Hope of His calling.
• To know the riches of the glory of His inheritance
• With knowledge of the exceeding greatness of His power.
• We can know the exceeding great power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at the right hand of the Father.
  • Far above all principality and power and might and dominion.
  • The same power that raised Jesus made us alive with Him and made us sit together with Him in heavenly places.

This is our basis to be strong in the Lord.  It doesn’t come from human position, authority, fame, education or just raw human courage.  It is not found in this world at all.  It’s our place in heaven, our standing before God, that comes from salvation in Christ.  

The word ‘strong’ means enabled – we are enabled by the power of His might.  The picture of the whole armor of God is the means of being strong.  We were earlier told to:

Put off, concerning your former conduct….

Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (NKJV; Ephesians 4:22a, 24a; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

Put On

Putting on the whole armor is putting on the new man, created in Christ.  It’s stepping into the new you, seated in the heavenlies with Jesus.  We are to ‘put on’ the whole armor, noting partial will do.  We will not stand partially armored.  No soldier would go to war without a helmet or shied.  No soldier on the battlefield ever said, “Oops, I forgot my sword!” 

1. Armor must be put on
2. Armor must be whole

The armor was needed because a soldier is expected to stand, never retreat.  The romans stood together in rank, armored up, trained up and powered up.  They were considered invincible.  As Christians, we are to stand, in our place and calling, together with others.  In Christ, in our armor and our place, we are invincible.

Stand

To ‘stand’ is to take a military posture to oppose the onslaught of the enemy.  This term would have been used in the Roman army.  When the army stood together, they were like a machine – not only standing their ground, but able to advance.  They interlocked shields and became an impenetrable force that could then inch forward, advancing on the enemy.  As the church, we must interlock our shields (faith) and stand together without breaking ranks. 

The ‘wiles’ of the devil is a word meaning method or plotting.  It is only used twice in scripture, both in Ephesians six (11, 14).  What are these wiles?  They are temptations and lusts of the flush.  This may come as doubt that you are able to stand or overconfidence that you might stand alone, apart from others.  It may come as uncontrolled anger, lies, stealing or a foul mouth.  One commentator put it this way:

Mention of the “schemes” of the devil reminds us of the trickery and subterfuge by which evil and temptation present themselves in our lives. Evil rarely looks evil until it accomplishes its goal; it gains entrance by appearing attractive, desirable, and perfectly legitimate. It is a baited and camouflaged trap.  [O’Brien, P. T. (1999). The letter to the Ephesians (p. 464). W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.]

The enemy sets many traps.  He knows our weaknesses.  He uses camouflage to make the traps seem innocent, fun or wholesome.  He draws us away, temps us to lay down our shield, lay aside our sword or remove our helmet because we perceive it as restricting.  His wiles have never changed, they’re not original, only dressed up differently.  These wiles never surprise the Lord.

1. Armor must be put on
2. Armor must be whole
3. Armor must be maintained

Our struggle is often seen as a political or religious struggle of ideals.  “They” are always trying to get us to do something we don’t want.  “They” become this anonymous enemy.  “They” fly in black helicopters to meet in smoke-filled back rooms and plot our demise.  But this is thinking too small.  The conspiracy is much greater than that.  The conspiracy is first and foremost spiritual – a battle between good and evil.  But it isn’t a grudge match between God and devil or Jesus versus the devil.  The devil is defeated, his destiny already determined.  The battleground is our hearts.  God loves us and created us to love Him.  Our love must be voluntarily offered to be authentic.  The battle is fought in the heart and mind of every person created in the image of God.  We can’t deny the enemy access to our battleground.  We are sin-fallen in the flesh.  However, in this flesh we can take our stand to deny the enemies access to our heart and mind.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.  (NKJV; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

In an age where we see laser guided missiles, drone strikes and computer viruses used to wage war, the idea of wrestling with these powers may not register in our mind.  This is close up grappling – hand to hand combat that is in view.  It is to know when use the sword and the shield.  It is a spiritual game of ‘king of the hill’ but it isn’t a game, the stakes are high.  It is never giving up, never falling down and getting back up if knocked down.  We have the luxury of knowing that we stand unflinching in the power of the Lord.

The Enemy

It is so much easier to focus on what our eyes can see than to consider a ageless, nonmortal, spiritual enemy.  Most scholars see the enemy coming at us in ranks.

Principalities–.  These principalities are the ruling or commanding authorities of supernatural beings.  They can be either good or bad.  Mentioned in Romans 8:38, Eph 1:21, 3:10, Col 1:16, 2:10, 2:15.   The word is also translated to human magistrates, rulers, beginning (first), corners (foundational) and elementary (basis).

Powers – Seems to be more generic, maybe including many authorities at similar levels.  This could be human or supernatural.  Many see the human powers driven or moved by supernatural forces, both good and evil.  We can find examples of this in the bible and throughout history. 

Rulers of the darkness of this age – this word ‘rulers’ originates in astrological discussion – as it pertains to the position of planets and stars in determining human fate in world affairs. 

Spiritual hosts of wickedness – Seems to be a general term for all supernatural entities. 

These powers often stand behind human institutions, titles and agency.  They are a very real threat.  While these labels may give some indication of rank, they are more likely to convey the variety of methods the enemy can afflict us.  They are driven by the prince of the power of the air.  They come at us personally. They attack the church.  They breed complacency in one place and legalism in another.  They don’t care what ditch we run into.  They breed pride and beat down the weak with feelings of inadequacy.  They destroy families, marriage and any institution of God.  They are particularly focused on our kids, because the adults have disengaged the battle. 

Consider Daniel 10:13, 20.  The Jews saw these forces of evil as fallen angels or demonic powers, not pagan gods. 

Withstand  

To stand (6:10) is to be prepared for the relentless and vicious attack of the enemy.  To ‘withstand’ is to remain standing in perseverance.  It’s not going to stop – in fact, it will grow worse.  There is some debate about the ‘evil day’ of 6:13.  The Jews anticipated a period of excessive evil and testing before their messiah came.  Paul seems to consider the ‘evil day’ the present day within this church age.  If Paul thought his days were evil, he might have a different designation for our dark days.  Nevertheless, yesterday’s stand is experience and maturity – but does not guarantee today’s stand or tomorrow’s preparation.  In our present state, it appears, the vast majority of those who call themselves Christian give little to no thought to the spiritual battle raging around us.   

It is only by this armor that we might stand.  As the battle is spiritual, the armor is spiritual.  In the Greek, this command to put on the armor implies it be done in a permanent manner.  Put on your armor.  There is a sense of foreboding in that, isn't there.  This is stepping out of the innocence and youth as a Christian.  Things will never be the same.  It's stepping out where you haven't been before.  It's putting your faith to the test; it's relying on God and His promises in a very real way.  This call is not one time and you’re done.  It's putting it on and maintaining it, checking it, making sure it fits well and is ready to be tested.  There is a clear implication that the armor is for battle.  We are engaged in war. 

In 2 Kings 6 we see the king of Syria trying to war against Israel.

Ephesians 6:14-17

Folks often picture Paul in prison, looking at the armor of the Roman soldier and creating this picture.  It far more likely that Paul knew the scriptures – maybe the soldier brought these to mind:

Isaiah speaks of the messiah to come:

Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,

And faithfulness the belt of His waist. (NKJV; Isaiah 11:5; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

Isaiah speaks of the good news to come:

How beautiful upon the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news, (NKJV; Isaiah 52:7; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

Isaiah spoke of the redeemer of Zion:

For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,

And a helmet of salvation on His head;

He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,

And was clad with zeal as a cloak. (NKJV; Isaiah 59:17; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

This is the armor of Jesus the Messiah, God’s armor that is available to us.

Paul builds on this stand we are to take.  It is a posture of defense and readiness; but also one from which we can go on offense.  A soldier taking a stand is ready to stand his ground, give chase to the enemy, dodge a blow from the enemy all while seeking an opening to deliver a blow or thrust.

Stand in Truth

The truth is to be belted on you in such a way that you know if the truth is lost, all is lost.  It is the strength of our core.  If we don’t possess truth, then there is no reason to fight.  While all truth is critical, our primary truth is the gospel.  It is the basis for having that opportunity to stand, experience real life and unity with the Lord.  Our truth is our hope for all eternity.  We know the truth, worship in truth (John 4:24), the truth makes us free (John 8:32).  We are sanctified by the truth and God’s word is truth (John 17:17).  Our enemy does not know truth – is a reputed liar.  He wants to ungird us from the truth. 

Our preparation for spiritual war starts with the truth – don’t take another step without it.  We are to be gird in truth.  It is to belted on.  Falsehoods, false doctrine and false teaching and more, all oppose the truth and leave us open to attack by the enemy. 

Truth is unchanging and unshakable.  It cannot be dismissed, ignored or cancelled.  Without truth, everything is in doubt.  Everything comes part.  We see it happening right before our ours today.  We hear things like, “You have your truth, I have mine.”  Or a common worldly precept, “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.”   In this age, emotions, feelings and perceptions have been affirmed by the world to be reality – regardless of truth.

Pilate looked in the eyes of Jesus and said, “What is truth?” Our culture says every day, "What is truth?"  The world teaches that we can all have our own truth and all our truths don't have to be the same.  There is only one truth.  Truth was standing right in front of Pilate and he didn't know it.  The truth wasn't in him, he was in the dark.  He was a man that stood in a place of power but there was no foundation or basis for making wise decisions.  Nothing could fit or function properly with Pilate because he didn't have the truth.  Shortly after Pilate dealt with Jesus, he was removed from office by the Caesar.  Legend says he later committed suicide.

Truth is a precious commodity and growing more precious by the day.  Without truth, we are shaken in our hope, our faith, and our trust.  Someone said, “Truth is where the word and the deed become one.”  We serve the God of truth, Jesus is truth.  The knowledge of sin is a truth that leads to repentance and faith.  That repentance and faith leads to forgiveness of sins and eternal life.  That is the foundation of all truth that leads to hope and purpose in life.

Righteousness

With the truth in place, we can then put on the breastplate of righteousness.  On the Roman soldier, the breastplate protected the vital organs.  The vital organs were what kept you alive.  They are your core.  If the enemy damaged your core, he didn't have to worry about fighting him any longer.  You didn't have to worry about any of his weapons, armor or intentions.  With the core damaged, the soldier was going down, battle over.

Our righteousness is useless; it is a dark and filthy thing that has no value whatsoever.  The righteousness imputed to us from Christ Jesus will protect us. 

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  (NKJV; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

We need to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ.  That is our breastplate that protects the core of our life.  The righteousness of Christ is impenetrable.  The covering of His righteousness is life. 

• The burnt offering of the priest.
• It was the ram in the thicket for Isaac.
• It’s the blood on the lentil which causing the death angel to pass over.
• His righteous was the commander of the Lord’s army for Joshua.
• It is an empty tomb for a wretch like me.

To be covered in His righteousness must be a lifetime commitment.  To occasionally us our righteousness for protection and life will bring great loss and suffering.  Oh, how necessary it is that we must guard the core of our life with His righteousness.  We are kept from evil by being wrapped up in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  Our hearts are guarded by Christ who is the center of all we do.  This looks like personal commitment and devotion in our life, through and through.  This is daily holding fast to the standard of Jesus Christ. 

• Guarding our eyes.
• Guarding our heart and minds
• Holding everything thought captive
• Filling our life with the word of God. 

It’s saying, “In obedience to Christ, there is a line I won’t cross.  Because He loves me and died for me, I will be obedient.” Then, we are committed to never leaving His righteousness, no matter the cost.

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.  (NKJV; Philippians 3:7-9; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

Gospel of Peace

How beautiful upon the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion,

“Your God reigns!”  (NKJV; Isaiah 52:7; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

The gospel is the good news that is a critical part of our preparation.  The gospel of peace is not an emergency response in the midst of war.  No one stood in battle and thought, “I should have put my shoes on!”  The preparation to ‘stand therefore’ is to have a good footing, a solid stance. 

This is a defensive preparation.  The gospel is the solid ground on which we stand.  It is an unshakable position.  It is as though we were planted in this ground, having taken root.  We cannot be uprooted.  This is our spiritual position with the Father who has blessed us in every spiritual blessing in Christ – seated us in the heavenlies with Christ (and so much more). 

 He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.  (NKJV; Psalm 1:3; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

Our defensive preparation readies us for action.  We can then be those beautiful feet who bring the good news, who run with swiftness, who never stumble and fall.  Our gospel foundation isn’t something we receive and are then done with.  It is our place to stand, our spiritual footing for the ongoing work in our life. 

A soldier had to have good footing.  These sandals (half boots) that the Roman soldier wore were studded with nails.  They were built for traction and mobility, comfort and sustainability.  A soldier could march for miles in comfort and then stand and fight with traction.  The soldier had a good foundation under him.  Foundation is all important. 

1. In the long march
2. In the fierce battle
3. In the lifelong stand

The attacks will come.  We must be prepared.  The enemy will make accusation, will try to knock us down, trip us up and disable our walk or stand.  He will say we are unworthy, inadequate, incapable – to which we will agree.  Our worthiness, adequacy and equipping all come from Jesus.  We have been purchased and born anew.  We are at peace with the father. 

The gospel is our footwear in our stand.  We can stand and fight in it.  We have traction, are sure footed and established.  We are prepared to persevere for the long march.  Our gospel doesn't wear out or break down.  It stands the test of time and the miles.

Faith

Paul then said we are to stand with our shield of faith.  The roman shield was critical in certain battles.  It protected them when the enemy rained down arrows on them.  In battles where flaming arrows were being fired, the leather covering of the shield would be soaked with water to extinguish the flaming arrows.  For our soldier, the shield was primary protection and the first line of defense against attack.  They used a couple different types of shields, but this Roman shield was 4 ft high and 2.5 ft wide.  One source said it weighted twenty-two pounds – this gives you a sense of the brute strength of these warriors.  Before going into battle, you checked your shield to make sure it was ready and in good shape.  You didn't want a broken or damaged shield in the middle of a battle.  You had to be able to rely on it to withstand everything coming at you.  Then, after a battle, you inspected your shield, repaired it and got it ready for the next use.

Paul likens this shield to our faith.  God grows our faith almost daily.  Every day, in new ways, God asks, "Do you trust me?"  Do you invite God to do that in your life?  Our faith is our first line of defense against the onslaught of the enemy.  If our faith is not strong and ready, it is just a matter of time before it serves no purpose.  It must be maintained.  It can be used and reused without fail but it must be continually built up, repaired and restored to its original strength or stronger.  

The soldier that used the shield regularly learned to handle and have the strength to maneuver it.  He became more practiced at using it.  As such, the more his shield was used the better defense it became to him.  Such is our faith.  We don’t just possess it, but we use it, test it and exercise.  It is built up and repaired.  Our faith is a result of our trust, available because of the gospel rooted in our desire for truth.

When we have questions regarding our faith, we need to get answers.  Ask God to show you and grow you.  You must be diligent to get the answers to your faith questions?  You can't enter battle with a damaged or weak faith.  It needs to be in top shape, ready for battle because it will be tested. 

The shield Paul speaks of was only large enough to protect one person.  In the same way, your faith is individual.  It is yours alone.  No one can carry your shield for you nor can you carry anyone else’s.  However, there is an interesting aspect of talking about the shield in the context of the Roman soldier.  The Romans had something called the tortoise formation.  This was when 27 men interlocked their shields together to become a protective shell that nothing could penetrate.  (You might have seen that in the Gladiator movie.)  This is a great picture of what we've talked about throughout this letter.  We are to grow and mature as individuals but when we are joined with other believers, we become a body that comes together and functions together.  Our shield of faith is an individual thing but when interlocked with others in the church it can be part of a larger shield protecting the body of Christ.

1. It is personal first – but in formation might provide temporary protections to another.
2. Must be built up – strong shield on a weak arm or a weak shield on strong arm were equally useless.
3. Must be maintained – prepared before battle, repaired after.
4. Must be practiced at wielding it – the more we exercise it, the better we get.

Some of Paul’s readers may have thought about the Greek god Cupid and Roman god Eros; both were said to strike with flaming arrows.  The shield then would also be seen as a defense against the flaming arrows of the temptation of lust.

Salvation

A good soldier would not think of going to battle without his helmet.  The Roman helmet was probably a brass helmet thought at times they used a leather cap with metal studs in it.  The helmet bore a plume of identification to show the unit the soldier belonged to.  Protecting the head was critical to maintaining clear thought, balance, sight and smell.  A blow to the head could incapacitate the soldier long enough to bring a death blow.

The helmet wasn’t comfortable.  It was heavy and hot.  It probably restricted vision.  However, it was a source of assurance and confidence.  While it wasn’t worn all the time, it was kept near for when it was needed. 

Paul sees us wearing our salvation in a similar manner.  Our mind and thought center are protected by the assurance of our salvation.  The battle is long and calls for perseverance – it’s easy to grow weary and sometimes it feels like you’re losing.  But the victory is won.  Salvation assurance is to know we are seated in the heavenlies with Christ (as if we are already there).  We have a great inheritance that cannot be taken.  We are blessed with every spiritual blessing, chosen and predestined.  The day we close our eyes in this life is already known to the Lord.  We can walk boldly, with our assurance:

To live is Christ, and to die is gain.  (NKJV; Philippians 1:21; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

Our salvation testimony and the assurance we carry with us are our plume of identification.  No one can mistake the salvation that comes with through Christ with any false, antichrist idea of being saved. 

Saved, assure and aware makes us alien to this world.  The world will attempt to make us feel uncomfortable, mistaking our salvation assurance for arrogance, not liking the exclusivity of The Way (John 14:6). 

Our command center is under new management that came with our salvation.  We are under new management, an expert, gentle but wise, knowing all things, but humble, subtle but unwavering.  The Holy Spirit guides us in wisdom, courage, strength, coordination and clear thinking.  He’ll direct us to the battle and choose what hills are worth dying on.

Our salvation forms our thoughts, each within the boundary and protection of our spiritual stance with the Father through Christ.  And all of our decisions should reflect a life that was once dead but now is alive in Christ.  Our thoughts should be in alignment with the hope that lies within us; that a day of judgment is coming but our debt has already been paid by the blood of Jesus Christ.

We can know the victory is ours.  We are saved, being saved and will be saved.  No matter how each battle goes today, we should stand strong and true knowing that we win the war.  Christ overcame death already.  Our salvation is fixed, true and victorious. 

The Word of God

The final addition is our primary weapon, that is the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.  The Roman sword was a reinvention of a the weapon that had been used for thousands of years.  It was sharp on both edges, cutting both ways.  It was shorter and heavier.  Its specialty was close quarters fighting.  A man couldn't just pick up the Roman sword and go to battle.  Without special training and practice, you would be useless in battle.  You didn’t just run in swinging wildly hoping to hit something. 

Soldiers trained, strengthened themselves to wield the sword effectively.  Blows were to be delivered specifically and effectively with economy.  The sword was heavy and sharp; able to cut both ways, pierce or smash.  When they got into battle, those moves they practiced came natural and easy.

The sword we bear in battle is the word of God.  It is the Spirit that makes the sword sharp, powerful and effective, not us. 

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.  (NKJV; Hebrews 4:12-13; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

The sword must be read into us.

A person that never reads their bible has left their weapon on the shelf.  The bible is the bestselling book of all time.  It is even a source of comfort to those who never open it.  They are in the battle – whether they realize it or not – unarmed.  The sword can block the block the enemies attack or be used offensively. 

Imagine a Christian in the midst of a spiritual battle and using their own words and thoughts.  “I think the bible says something about that!”  I’m not sure the devil will be shutdown and flee.  Jesus told the disciples when they are arrested and face persecution, they will be given the words to speak.  In order for this to happen, the words of the Lord must be in us. Our heart must be filled to overflowing with His words and ways.  Then, they will flow from us freely. 

Jesus was taken to the wilderness, weakened physically through fasting and stood before the devil to be tempted.  Three offers were made that would have avoided the suffering of the cross.  The first temptation was to use his authority and his word to serve the devil’s purpose.  His answer was Moses’ quote of Deuteronomy 8:3 saying:

It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ (NKJV; Luke 4:4; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

The second temptation was an offer of authority and a kingdom if only Jesus would worship the devil.  The Lord answered him with a rebuke and quote of Deuteronomy 6:13:

“Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” (NKJV; Luke 4:8; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

The final temptation was to abuse His authority and power, tempting God.  The devil quoted scripture to Jesus – maybe in mocking fashion.  The verses were ripped from context.  Jesus answered with Deuteronomy 6:16:

   “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” (NKJV; Luke 4:12; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

The ‘word’ Paul speaks of is the Greek word Rhema – used to speak of the gospel message.  The gospel is our first word and most important word.  All of God’s words flow to us through the gospel.  His word should not be misused or abused.

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You. (NKJV; Psalm 119:11; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

The sword is established by study.

God’s word should not just be read, but studied.  It is by study we discover how it all fits together.  We’ll discover God’s heart and His ways and probe new depths to the bible.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (NKJV; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

His word is spiritually discerned.  Study is a spending time with the Holy Spirit reading what God has given us – the story of the history of the fall and redemption of man, the creation of God.

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

(NKJV; Psalm 1:1; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

The sword is useful only by practice.

Many folks only pick up the bible when they are hurting or don’t know where else to go.  It may seem like that’s the only time you need it, but, like picking up a sword when the enemy is in front of you, you won’t have any idea how to use it.  The skill of the swordsman is equated to the experience, strength and practice. 

Daily, we can live in God’s word, let it speak into our life and our every situation.  Let it counsel and correct, train and direct us through life.  It is never wrong and never fails. 

The word of God is a spiritual weapon given to us.  It helps believers proclaim the gospel message, act on God’s behalf, and combat attacks from the devil.

Someone once asked him how long it had taken him to prepare a certain sermon. His answer was “Thirty years and thirty minutes!” He had immersed himself in the Bible from the time he was fifteen years old, when he memorized the Book of Philippians a verse a day until he knew the entire book by heart, then went on to other passages. He felt it was not enough to learn by rote — it had to be by heart; because you loved and believed it. [Margaret N. Barnhouse, That Man Barnhouse (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1983), pp. 250, 251]

Ephesians 6:18-20

Prayer is our means of communication with high command.  A good soldier follows orders.  He is one of many that follow the battle plan put forth by the commander.  Being in prayer is staying in communication with our commander in chief.  Prayer is the means of making good use of the full armor.

Prayer is also our heavy artillery in these battles we are in.  We are to pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  This weapon can be used for very personal and close battles but it is also useful as a long-range weapon.  Our prayers can affect someone else's spiritual warfare on the other side of the world.  We don't fully understand all the 'how' and 'why' of that.  We only know the bible tells us prayer is powerful and brings results.  The question then, for all of us is, do we use it enough?  Have we become good at it?  Is it a reflex to go before God with everything?

We are to be in prayer and be watchful.  We are in this for the long haul.  We need to be diligent in our prayers for all saints.

Paul asked that they include him in their prayers.  He asked they pray that he might be bold and that God's word would put his mouth so that he would say the right thing in the right way; so the gospel would be known to all.   We don't often think of Paul needing prayer.  Yet, here he is, in prison having been through a lot in his life.  He surely had his doubts and concerns.  He was human.  If we recognize that, we can relate to the message Paul was writing in a more personal way.  We often think of Paul as this spiritual giant who had it all figured out.  Yet there is no reason to believe he was anything more than a man submitted to the Lord, desiring to be used by Him.  God called, he answered.  Together they walk and work.

Every Christian is in a spiritual war, whether they realize it or not.  Because our struggles are not against flesh and blood, we often are ill-prepared.  From the beginning of this book, Paul was calling to us to mature in our faith.  Step into our position, status and calling as a child of God; fully embrace the promises and the hope of His calling.  We are to take our stand, not give up ground to the enemy.  We aren’t to concede or feel hopeless or helpless in a fallen world.   

Ephesians 6:21-24

Tychicus was a long-time companion of Paul through his ministry.  He was a gentile believer from Asia and appears first with Paul on his third missionary journey.  He delivered the letter and news from Paul to the church of Ephesus and the churches in the area.

Paul closes in peace and faith but ends with Grace just as he opened the letter. 

 ©2010, 2017, 2023 Doug Ford