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Ephesians 6:10-13 - Christian Warfare.

Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT) 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.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Bullying is on the rise in our schools, 
our workplaces, and even online. 
   Whenever someone exhibits aggressive 
behavior or tries to exert power over somebody else, 
thats bullying. It could include making threats, 
spreading rumors, physically or verbally attacking, 
harassing, or purposefully excluding somebody from a 
group. 
   Bullying doesn't just happen in person. 
Today were more and more connected through 
texts, social media, video games, and apps. And 
that means cyber bullying happens in all those 
spheres. In previous generations, kids could escape 
bullies by leaving the playground, but today the 
bullies can reach you through your phone, tablet, or 
computer. Sometimes it can seem like there is no 
escape. 
   When you or your children face this kind 
of behavior, its important to recognize the 
source behind the bully. 
   "We are not fighting against human beings 
but against the wicked spiritual forces in the 
heavenly world" (Ephesians 6:12 GNT). 
   The bully is not your real problem. The 
real problem is a spiritual force. It's called 
evil. The bully is just being used by Satan. 
Youre not fighting against human beings. Youre 
fighting against wicked spiritual forces. All evil 
and hatred come from Satan. And he can use 
anybody who doesnt know the Lord, because they 
don't have God's Spirit in them. 
   Satan wants to hurt God, but he 
can't"so he does the next best thing: He goes after 
God's children. The best way to hurt a parent is 
to hurt his child, and the child of God is the 
enemy of Satan. This is why prayer is such an 
important part of dealing with harassment or a bully 
at school or work, because you're not dealing 
with just human beings. There's a spiritual force 
behind it all. 
   You may not have the power to stop that 
bully, but God does. 
   Always start with prayer. Thats where 
you get Gods power to fight the spiritual 
forces at work around you. [Daily Devotional by 
Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

COMMENTARY

   During a call-in segment of a radio 
program I was doing, a man asked, Does there come 
a point in the Christian life where somehow 
you just dont get tempted to think evil 
thoughts anymore? 
   Yes, its funny you should ask 
that, I told him, because I just reached that 
point yesterday. Its great. 
   I was kidding, of course. In reality, 
this doesnt ever happen in the life of a 
Christian. Some believers are surprised to discover 
that the Christian life is not a playground but a 
battleground. It isnt easy being a Christian, because 
immediately we discover that we have an adversary, the 
Devil, who wants to bring us down. The spiritual 
battle is raging every single day. 
   As I have often said, the Christian life 
is a constant process of moving forward. And 
the moment we stop moving forward, we will start 
moving backward. We need to put our spiritual armor 
on. We need to suit up. As we are told in 
Ephesians 6, 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 (verses 11"12 
NLT). 
   And you know what? This wrestling match 
wont end until we are safe in the arms of Jesus. 
Wouldnt it be great to think that as a Christian, 
you somehow could reach a plateau at a certain 
moment in your life where you would be above it all 
and no longer be vulnerable? This spiritual 
fight will rage on until the final day. So keep 
your armor on. Be aware and alert. And constantly 
move forward. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

   When theres an emergency and a police 
officer arrives on the scene, sometimes he or she 
will call for backup. 
   We need to do the same thing in the 
spiritual battle. We need to call for backup, and that 
backup is the Lord himself. 
   We cannot overcome the Devil in our own 
strength. The Book of Acts records a time when some 
men identified as the sons of Sceva tried to 
cast out a demon. (By the way, the Bible never 
validates exorcists. It validates casting demons out 
of people, but theres no real biblical 
office of an exorcist or the specific gifting of an 
exorcist.) 
   These sons of Sceva tried to cast a demon 
out of someone because they had seen the apostle 
Paul do it. And they thought they could do it as 
well, like there was some magic formula. So, they 
said to a demon-possessed man, We exorcise you 
by the Jesus whom Paul preaches (Acts 19:13 
NKJV). 
   But the demon in the man answered, 
Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? 
(verse 15 NKJV). Heres what happened next: 
Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped 
on them, overpowered them, and prevailed 
against them, so that they fled out of that house 
naked and wounded (verse 16 NKJV). 
   Thats what happens when you try to 
take on the Devil in your own strength. So, 
dont go there. 
   The Devil is a powerful fallen angel, and 
were no match for him on our own. We must 
recognize this is a spiritual battle, and it must be 
fought with spiritual weapons. And we need to put 
on the full armor of God and never take it off, 
because well be in this battle until the final 
day. 
   The spiritual battle ends when we get to 
Heaven, not before. So, keep your armor on. [Greg 
Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Ephesians 6:10-13 - Enduring Satanic Attacks.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20191121-1205.html 

Ephesians 6:10-13 - Victory Over Satanic 
Attacks. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200729-1132.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

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  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: 
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657