Ephesians 6:10-13 - Christian Armor; Introduction and Overview.
Ephesians 6:10-13: Christian Armor; Introduction and Overview.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we
do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against
spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up
the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT2) A final word: Be strong in the Lord and
in his mighty power. Put on all of Gods armor so that you will
be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we
are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil
rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in
this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of Gods armor so you will be able to
resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will
still be standing firm.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (AMP) In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be
empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that
strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God's whole armor
[the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may
be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and
the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and
blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the
despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the
world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of
wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God's
complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on
the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands],
to stand [firmly in your place].
Ephesians 6:10-13 (CWR) Finally, be strong in the Lord and stand
in the power of His might. Put on every piece of spiritual armor
the Lord has given you so you can stand your ground against the
devil's schemes. We're not dealing with an enemy here on earth that we
can see or get our hands on, but with the darkness of spiritual
beings who were once in heaven and are now using their authority and
power to try to rule the world. That's why you must put on the whole
armor of God and stand, not giving an inch of ground so when the
fighting is over, you'll still be standing.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (TLB) Last of all I want to remind you that
your strength must come from the Lords mighty power within you.
Put on all of Gods armor so that you will be able to stand safe
against all strategies and tricks of Satan. For we are not fighting
against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without
bodies"the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and
great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge
numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world. So use every piece of
Gods armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is
all over, you will still be standing up.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (MSG) And that about wraps it up. God is
strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set
out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them
to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil
throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk
away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a
life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be
prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take
all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when
it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Not long ago, we were in Boston. We had only a day, but we
were determined to see some of the sights before we left. Wow, what
history! We saw the place where the Declaration of Independence was first
read and the decision was made to fight for our country's freedom. We
saw where Paul Revere began his famous ride. We saw the USS
Constitution, aptly named "Old Ironsides."
The United States won the battle for freedom, but there is
another battle being waged against our hearts, minds, and souls. The
enemy would like us to believe that we can't win; the odds against us
are too great. But the truth is that we can't lose. Jesus has
already fought the battle for our freedom from sin and won!
Now we must make his victory a reality in our own lives. We
do that by signing a Declaration of Dependence - dependence on God,
that is. We will then be free to live the lives he intended for us.
Father God, thank you for the many brothers and sisters who
stand alongside me as I declare my dependence on you and strive to
grasp my freedom in Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery
Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]
CONTEXT
Ephesians 6:10-20: The Whole Armor of God. [Remnant SOP SB]
INTRODUCTION
There exists a world outside of our own - a world we cannot
see, a spirit world where real battles are fought. When you became a
Christian, you took a side against evil in this cosmic struggle - and you
became a part of it.
The battle is not against enemies of flesh and blood.
Instead, we battle the demons over whom Satan has control, the fallen
angels who joined Satan in his rebellion and thus became perverted and
evil. These are real and powerful beings, not mere fantasies, and
believers must not underestimate them. What are their tactics? Demons can
at times cause physical, psychological, and emotional turmoil. More
often they seek ways to keep nonbelievers in unbelief and render
believers ineffective through moral failings.
God does not leave us without protection and weapons,
however. With this host of spiritual forces arrayed against us, we need
God's full armor. Our enemy is powerful, but he is also a defeated
foe. As you prepare to engage him in spiritual warfare, don't be
intimidated by his influence. Use the full armor of God and stand together
with other believers. [The One Year Bible for New Believers re
Eph.6:10-17]
We must depend on God's strength to defend against the attacks
of Satan and his army. God has provided us with his power by
filling us with his Holy Spirit. It is his Spirit that cloaks us with
protection: the belt of truth, the body armor of righteousness, the shoes of
the Good News, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit - God's Word. And as we fight spiritual battles,
we must constantly rely on God's Spirit to guide us. And you don't
have to fight alone. God's army - the church - is filled with God's
Spirit as well, uniting us together against the mighty powers in
this dark world.[One Year NLT SB re Eph. 6:10-17]
The armor is Christ himself. Putting on the armor is equivalent
to putting on Christ. The power of Christ is sufficient to stand
against all evil and temptation that a believer will encounter [New
Bible Companion]
COMMENTARY
If you are a Christian, you are engaged in a spiritual battle
of universal proportions. Evil, dangerous, and sinister forces are
seeking to destroy you, your family, and your church. Your very soul is
in a conflict against the forces of evil. As frightening as the
powers of darkness may appear, though, you serve an unimaginably
powerful God, and the victory is His.
Despite that glorious and certain truth, some Christians live
in constant fear, intimidated by Satan and his forces, and thinking
too much about the enemy. Spiritual warfare is a reality, but we
should not live in fear because God has provided us with armor that can
protect us from any blow we might receive.
This divine protection and power should enable us to live
each day with courage and in peace. As God's people, we are fully
equipped to overcome sin when it enters the church and to stand strong
when the world opposes us. God has made provision for any and every
circumstance we may face. So "be strong in the Lord" and live with confidence
in Him. Expect God to give you victory as you do baffle with the
armor He provides. [Being Still With God Every Day by Henry Blackaby]
I was looking at pictures of our brothers and sisters
fighting a war in the Middle East, and I noticed they had one thing in
common: even though temperatures can get up to 120 degrees, they all had
on full body armor, in addition to helmets, boots, bulletproof
vests, goggles, gloves, weapons, and backpacks. They knew they couldn't
ask for a time-out in the middle of the battle to prepare. They had
to be ready at all times.
The same is true for us as we fight against our enemy, the
devil. He waits for just the right moment to take us out. We can't wait
until we are under attack to put on our armor. We must be armored up
and ready at all times to take a stand against the enemy.
God has given us all we need to deal decisively with the
enemy of our souls. When we are ready and listening for God's voice,
we will always have the upper hand. Once again, the best defense is
a good offense.
Father, I want to learn how to wear my spiritual armor
properly. Show me as I put on each piece in preparation for what you've
called me to do. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]
The Devil was created as a wise and morally perfect being
(then known as Lucifer) who aspired to take over the throne of God and
thus usurp the position of his Creator. Once that happened, Lucifer
was expelled from heaven, together with the other angels who had
sensed and shared his rebellious attitude. This is the fall from heaven
that Jesus told His disciples He had witnessed.
Since his fall from heaven, Satan, apparently losing little
of his administrative skill, has marshaled these fallen angels (now
known as demons) into a hostile force to work against God and His
creation. We do not know just how many angels fell with Satan, but
doubtless it must have been a colossal number. When Jesus once asked a
demoniac: "What is your name?" (Lk 8:30), the demons answered: "Legion."
If they were telling the truth, the man was controlled by
thousands of demons. A Roman legion contained six thousand men!
It is little wonder, then, that the Apostle Paul warned the
Ephesians that they were involved in a tremendous spiritual conflict: "For
our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens" (Eph 6:12).
One of America's founding fathers said: "If men will not be
governed by God, then they will be ruled by tyrants." How sad that people
actually choose to be governed by Satan rather than by God.
O God my Father, I am so thankful that I have left the
tyranny and rule of Satan to come under the sway of Your eternal and
everlasting kingdom. May I come more and more under its sway hour by hour
and day by day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. [Every Day With Jesus
Bible with Selwyn Hughes devotional re Jude 6]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Demonstrate your trust in Me by sitting quietly in My
Presence. Put aside all that is waiting to be done, and refuse to worry
about anything. This sacred time together strengthens you and prepares
you to face whatever the day will bring. By waiting with Me before
you begin the day's activities, you proclaim the reality of My
living Presence. This act of faith - waiting before working - is noted
in the spirit world, where your demonstration of trust weakens
principalities and powers of darkness.
The most effective way to resist evil is to draw near Me.
When you need to take action, I will guide you clearly through My
Spirit and My Word. The world is so complex and overstimulating that
you can easily lose your sense of direction. Doing countless
unnecessary activities will dissipate your energy. When you spend time with
Me, I restore your sense of direction. As you look to Me for
guidance, I enable you to do less but accomplish more. (Luke 12:22-26;
Ephesians 6:12 NKJV; Proverbs 16:3) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Do everything in dependence on Me. The desire to act
independently - apart from Me springs from the root of pride. Self-sufficiency
is subtle, insinuating its way into your thoughts and actions
without your realizing it. But apart from Me, you can do nothing: that
is, nothing of eternal value. My deepest desire for you is that you
learn to depend on Me in every situation. I move heaven and earth to
accomplish this purpose, but you must collaborate with Me in this training.
Teaching you would be simple if I negated your free will or overwhelmed
you with My Power. However, I love you too much to withdraw the
godlike privilege I bestowed on you as My image-bearer. Use your freedom
wisely by relying on Me constantly. Thus you enjoy My Presence and My
Peace. (John 15:5; Ephesians 6:10; Genesis 1: 26-27) [Jesus Calling by
Sarah Young]
Do not be surprised by the fiery attacks on your mind. When
you struggle to find Me and to live in My Peace, don't let
discouragement set in. You are engaged in massive warfare, spiritually
speaking. The evil one abhors your closeness to Me, and his demonic
underlings are determined to destroy our intimacy. When you find yourself
in the thick of battle, call upon My Name: "Jesus, help me!" At
that instant, the battle becomes Mine; your role is simply to trust
Me as I fight for you.
My Name, properly used, has unlimited Power to bless and
protect. At the end of time, every knee will bow (in heaven, on earth,
and under the earth) when My Name is proclaimed. People who have
used "Jesus" as a shoddy swear word will fall down in terror on that
awesome day. But all those who have drawn near Me through trustingly
uttering My Name will be filled with inexpressible and glorious Joy. This
is your great hope, as you await My return. (Eph. 6:12; Phi. 2:9,
10; 1Pe. 1:8, 9) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Ephesians 6:14a: Christian Armor " Truth:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20171008-1641.html
Ephesians 6:14b: Christian Armor " Righteousness:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20171027-1025.html
Ephesians 6:15: Christian Armor " Peace:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20171118-0915.html
Ephesians 6:16: Christian Armor " Faith:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180211-1112.html
Ephesians 6:17a: Christian Armor " Salvation:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180328-1002.html
Ephesians 6:17b: Christian Armor - The Word of God:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180424-0917.html
Ephesians 6:18: Pray in the Spirit:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180503-1057.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
