Wear for War (Ephesians 6:10-24)
Do you believe in the devil? It has been said that one of the devil’s tricks is to persuade us he does not exist. By deceiving us into letting our guard down, we will be vulnerable to his malevolent machinations. We can either make too little or too much of the devil. Some of us may be living in fear of the devil, always anxious about how he might influence or control us. In the preface of The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis wrote, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which (we) can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”
Yes, the devil and his minions do exist. They are opposed to God and His people. They are devoted to our destruction. But though the devil is dangerous, he has also been defeated. The battle might still be raging, but the outcome is not in doubt. Christ has conquered. So, be watchful but do not be afraid. We now live in the light of Jesus’ victory. He equips us with what we need to wear for war.
We have come to the last sermon in our series on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. The first three chapters presented amazing truths about our salvation. God the Father chose us in Christ, that we might be blessed with every spiritual blessing. The Spirit sealed us, guaranteeing our glory. Once we were dead in our sins, but now we have been made alive in Christ. Jesus died for us, bearing God’s judgement in our place so that we can be forgiven. Jesus rose from the dead to make us alive in Him. He has also made us one. Jesus is our peace. He brought us back to God and brought us together as one new people. God is glorified in the church.
The second half of Ephesians applies these truths to our lives. Gospel doctrine leads to gospel living. Since Jesus has made us alive and made us one, we ought to live in holiness and unity. Therefore, walk in the light and walk in love. Be filled by the Spirit to live distinct, God-glorifying, Christ-honouring lives as wives and husbands, as children and parents, and as workers and bosses.
Stand strong in the Lord with God’s armour.
And while we live new lives in Christ, know that there is a war going on. A spiritual conflict is raging between us and the devil. So, as Paul concludes his letter, he calls us to action. The Christian life is war, so be ready for the battle. Take heart. We do not fight in our own strength. We go forth in the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel. This is the big idea: Stand strong in the Lord with God’s armour.
Stand strong in the Lord (Eph 6:10-13)
“Finally” (Eph 6:10) indicates that Paul is summing up chapters 4-6. He is also drawing the letter to a close. At first glance, the mention of spiritual warfare seems to change the subject. But this is not the case at all. Paul is helping us see what is really at stake as we live out our new life in Christ. When we walk in the light and love, we are doing the will of God. Because the devil opposes God, He will oppose us too. He is against our holiness and unity. We live our Christian lives in the midst of this spiritual conflict.
Hence, we are to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (Eph 6:10). This verse is not calling us to strengthen ourselves, or to grit our teeth and try harder. No, we are to be strengthened in the Lord. Be made strong by being united to the Lord Jesus by faith. Strength for the fight is found in Christ, not ourselves. In Ephesians 1:19, Paul prayed for the Ephesians to know “the immeasurable greatness of (God’s) power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might”. He uses the same three words here—translated strong, strength, might. This is nothing less than God’s resurrection power. It is the power that God “worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places” (Eph 1:20). If we are in Christ, this same power is at work in us also. Jesus, who made us alive, also makes us strong to live a new life. So, be encouraged, beloved. Are you weak or weary? Look to Jesus, who is our strength.
Jesus strengthens us by providing us with protection. Therefore, put on the whole armour of God (Eph 6:11). God supplies the armour. In fact, God himself is described as wearing the armour. Isaiah 59:17, which was read earlier, says the LORD “put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head”. God is a mighty warrior who fights for His people. He has saved us from evil and won the victory through His Son, our Lord Jesus. Through the cross and resurrection, Jesus defeated the devil, sin and death. He has been exalted as King. As it says in Ephesians 4:8, Jesus has “ascended on high” in triumph, setting us free and giving gifts to us.
God graciously shares His armour with us. In other words, God gives us Himself in Christ. In Christ, we receive the qualities and gifts of God. We reflect God’s character. We imitate God, as his beloved children. Here, Paul is reminding us of the truths of the gospel. Read Ephesians 1-3 again. Meditate and feast on the rich gospel doctrine found in these chapters. To put on God’s armour means to take hold of the gospel by faith, and to apply the gospel to every part of our lives. We are to put on the whole armour of God — the whole gospel for all of life. The image is that of a soldier dressed for war in a full set of armour. Every piece of the armour is vital — from the helmet to the shoes. During my National Service in the army, we referred to this as the full battle order. Our superiors would inspect every item to make sure we did not leave out a single piece of clothing or equipment.
With our spiritual wellbeing at stake, will we be just as careful? We must put on God’s armour so that we may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. “Stand” is the key command in our passage. It is used four times in verses 11, 13 and 14. We are not called to win the victory; Christ has already done that. Instead, we are to stand in his victory. Give no ground to the devil. Do not give up what Christ has laid down his life to win. Resist the devil, firm in our faith. Hold fast to the gospel. To stand means to grow in Christ-like maturity, so that we are no longer “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph 4:14). Grow up in Christ; do not remain childish.
The devil may have already lost, but he is still a formidable foe. As the saying goes, “A wounded lion is more dangerous.” So, do not diminish the devil’s danger. He “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet 5:8). Only by putting on God’s armour can we stand against the devil and his schemes. Trying to live the Christian life in our own strength is like showing up for battle in casual clothes. This is war, not a beach holiday or a walk in the park.
Ephesians 6:12 presses the point home by revealing the nature of our enemy. Know what we are really up against: 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. All these refer to the devil and his armies. The devil has mustered his minions to war against us. The fighting is fierce. The word “wrestle” pictures close-quarter, hand-to-hand combat. We struggle and grapple with the enemy in the heat of battle. This war takes place in everyday life. Spiritual warfare is going on when husbands strive to sacrificially love their wives; when wives strive to honour and submit to their own husbands; when parents strive to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord; when children strive to obey and honour their parents; when works do their jobs for the glory of God; when bosses treat their employees with kindness and justice.
What are the devil’s schemes? The Bible describes the devil as a murderer, liar, deceiver, tempter and an accuser. He stirs up persecution against God’s people. He takes advantage of our suffering to shake our faith. He deceives us through false teaching. He tells lies to make us doubt the goodness of God and the truth of his word. He tempts us with false promises of pleasure or prosperity. He accuses us of sin to condemn us and make us despair. He wants to drive us away from God. The devil desires discord and disunity among God’s people. He revels in sins that break fellowship and sour relationships in God’s family. In Ephesians 4:27, Paul warns us not to give the devil an opportunity by being sinfully angry with one another. Corrupting talk, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, slander and malice grieve the Holy Spirit, but are the devil’s delight. Do not make the devil happy. Do not let our hearts harden towards one another. Be kind and tenderhearted. Forgive one another as God has forgiven us in Christ.
The devil hates the church. Our very existence as one church, united in Christ, enrages the devil. The church fulfils God’s plan to unite all things in Christ. Jesus, who is our peace, has reconciled sinners back to God and to one another. As it says in Ephesians 3:10, the church’s unity reveals God’s manifold wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. The church is God’s declaration of victory. The church testifies to the demons that they have lost and Christ has won. For this reason, the devil cannot bear the unity of God’s people. So, he seeks to separate us from God and from one another. Divisiveness is demonic. Words or actions that cause division, such as gossip, slander, falsehood or false teaching, are demonic. Let us not separate what God has joined together. Do not fall into the devil’s trap by distancing and dividing yourself from the church. Gather regularly with the church.
We are powerless to overcome the devil on our own. We need God’s help to stand firm.
We are powerless to overcome the devil on our own. We need God’s help to stand firm. Hence, Ephesians 6:13 repeats the exhortation: Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. The evil day could refer to this present, fallen age. Or, it could refer to times of trial and temptation. All of us will face evil days. So, prepare ourselves today for tomorrow’s trial or temptation. Just as our Lord endured the cross for the joy set before him, so we will enter God’s kingdom through many tribulations. How will we respond under pressure? To safeguard the stability of our faith, stand strong in the Lord with God’s armour.
Stand strong with God’s armour (Eph 6:14-18)
In these verses, Paul lists the different parts of the armour. Each part is an essential component of the whole. So, take up the whole armour of God. Each part points to a particular quality or gift of God. He gives us himself in Christ, so that we reflect his character and walk in his ways. We put on God’s armour by putting on Christ.
We put on God’s armour by putting on Christ.
First, we must fasten on the belt of truth. For a Roman soldier, the belt was a key part of their outfit. It held their clothing together, allowing them to move freely. To fasten on the belt means to prepare ourselves for action. It is similar to the exhortation in 1 Peter 1:13 that calls us to “gird up the loins of your mind”, that is, to prepare our minds for action. We prepare ourselves for action with God’s truth, revealed in his word and in his Son, Jesus Christ. Arm ourselves with gospel doctrine, such as what Paul has written in chapters 1-3. Commit to knowing more of what God has done in Christ to save sinners. Rest in our new identity in Christ. Faithfully follow him by hearing his word. Build up the church by speaking the truth in love to one another.
Next, we must put on the breastplate of righteousness. We are to imitate God’s righteous character. His ways are always just and right. But how are we able to be righteous like God? He must first graciously give us his righteousness. Praise God, for he has done so through his Son. Jesus suffered and died, the righteous for the unrighteous, to make us right with God. We are justified — declared righteous — through faith in Christ. In putting on the breastplate, we are protecting ourselves from the accusations of the evil one with the righteousness of Christ. Yes, our sin is great, but God’s grace is greater still. Jesus has taken away our filthy rags and clothed us with his righteousness.
Because we have been counted righteous in Christ, we can live a new life. As Ephesians 4:24 says, we are to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness”. We can “walk as children of light” (Eph 5:9), doing what is good and right and true. God shares his righteousness with us, that we might be holy as he is holy. Fight temptation and sin by remembering we are already righteous in Christ. We can be holy because we are holy.
Third, we are to wear gospel shoes. Roman soldiers wore heavy, studded shoes that gave them a good grip on the ground. If we are to stand firm, we need the right footwear. The gospel of peace gives us readiness. It is the gospel of peace because Jesus is our peace. As Ephesians 2:14 says, Jesus has made peace between us and God and between diverse groups of people, such as Jews and Gentiles. Despite our differences, Jesus has made us one. Through Him, we all have equal access in one Spirit to God the Father. Christ has united us. When the devil tries to sow discord, be ready to guard our unity. The gospel makes us ready to stand firm together.
The gospel also makes us ready to march forth and take the fight to the enemy. Gospel shoes are made for walking. Not only do we hold our ground, but we also gain ground by liberating those who are captives of the devil, sin and death. We wage war by proclaiming peace! We go with the gospel, sharing Christ so that others can hear the good news of joy and peace with God. Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” Beloved, do we have beautiful, gospel-clad feet?
Fourth, we must in all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. Roman soldiers carried a large, door-shaped shield. Given its size, it could protect a soldier’s entire body. Similarly, we need full and constant protection from the devil’s attacks. Always be on our guard, in all circumstances. In good times, beware of pride and complacency. In bad times, beware of doubt and despair. The devil will use our circumstances against us, to provoke us to distrust and disobey God. His flaming darts are destructive. To extinguish fiery arrows, soldiers would soak their shields in water. Likewise, we are to soak our shields in God’s truth, to fortify our faith in him. A sure faith defends us against the devil’s lies. Believe God, not the devil.
Fifth, we should take the helmet of salvation. Guard our minds with the truth of our salvation. Jesus has rescued us from judgement. More than that, we have been adopted into God’s family. We look forward to a heavenly inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading. In Christ, we are no longer children of wrath but children of God. We are no longer strangers and aliens but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s family. So, guard our thoughts and attitudes. Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Phil 4:8). Let our new identity in Christ renew our minds and transform our lives, so that we walk in the light and love.
The final piece of armour is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. I know a brother in the church who collects swords. Indeed, swords can be fascinating to look at. We can admire the craftsmanship of a well-made blade. But the sword Paul has in mind here is for battle, not for display. It is a short sword well suited for cutting and stabbing in close combat, as we wrestle with the devil and his minions. The sword is for defence as well as attack. It is of the Spirit, because the Spirit is the one who gives and empowers God’s word. Because all Scripture is God-breathed, it is true and trustworthy. It makes us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. It is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. God’s word equips us for every good work. The Spirit makes God’s word effective. It is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing our souls and exposing our hearts. The Spirit, by the word, convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgement, pointing us to Christ.
We go on the offensive with God’s word by making disciples of all nations. We do evangelism and missions by making Jesus known and by planting churches. We proclaim the light of Christ, which dispels the devil’s deceitful darkness. We proclaim the freedom of Christ, which sets the prisoner free. We proclaim the love of Christ, which overcomes evil and hatred. We proclaim the righteousness of Christ, who has cleansed us of sin and guilt by his blood. We proclaim the life of Christ, who has defeated death.
Having encouraged us to put on the whole armour of God — the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel shoes, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit — Paul urges us to pray in Ephesians 6:18. In fact, prayer is how we take up the armour. We ask God to equip and empower us in Christ. We pray in the Spirit, which means the Spirit moves and guides our prayers, so that we ask according to God’s will. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. When we struggle to pray, the Spirit himself intercedes for us. Notice how all three Persons of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Spirit—work to make us strong? We can draw near to the Father through the Son, helped by the Spirit.
What should we pray for? Paul modelled prayer for us earlier in Ephesians. Reflect on His prayers in Ephesians 1:15-23 and Ephesians 3:14-21. In a nutshell, Paul prays for the Spirit to strengthen us, so that we might know God more through faith in Christ. How should we pray? According to the four “all’s” in Ephesians 6:18. At all times: consistently and constantly. With all prayer and supplication: with diligent, earnest requests. Keep alert with all perseverance: by being watchful and not giving up. For all the saints: by interceding for our spiritual brothers and sisters. May this challenge us to expand the scope of our prayers, going beyond our families or close friends. We strengthen the church’s unity by praying for the whole body of Christ. Pray for the church by praying through our membership directory. Prioritise praying with the church. Join the corporate prayer meetings, which take place every other month.
Stand strong together (Eph 6:19-24)
This brings us to our third point, which is more brief: We are to stand strong together as we war against the devil. Paul himself depended on other believers. After exhorting us to pray for one another, he requests prayer for himself. Remarkably, Paul does not ask for better circumstances, although he is in prison. Instead, he asks to preach Christ boldly, clearly and faithfully. Victory in spiritual warfare does not mean no suffering, but faithfulness even in suffering. May we also pray such gospel-centred, Christ-honouring prayers for one another. Do not be too proud to ask for prayer. Prayer is a wonderful way of bringing us together to rely on God. Paul did not serve God alone; he found support and encouragement from others. We need one another’s help to stand strong. We need the church.
Paul unselfishly seeks the spiritual good of others, even amid his own trials. He may be an ambassador in chains, but he is still concerned for the welfare of other Christians. He sends Tychicus to them to encourage (their) hearts. May we also stand strong together by intentionally seeking one another’s spiritual good. Pray for one another. Help one another. Encourage one another. Speak the truth in love to one another, so that the whole body of Christ grows.
In Ephesians 6:23-24, Paul closes his letter as he began it. In Ephesians 1:2, he greeted the Ephesians with “grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. In the last two verses of the letter, he seeks peace, grace and love for his brothers and sisters-in-Christ. May this also be our prayer for one another, as we stand strong together. The devil is a dangerous enemy but thanks to Jesus, we are more than conquerors through the gospel. We have been saved by God’s grace, through faith in Christ. Jesus is our peace. He has united us as one church. So, live as one church by walking in the light and love. Since God has first loved us, let us love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. May our love for Jesus and for one another endure till the end. Amen.