Ephesians 6:10-13 - Christian Warfare [with focus on vs 12].
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT) A final word: Be
strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put
on all of Gods armor so that you will be
able to stand firm against all strategies of the
devil. 12 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. 13 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.
INTRODUCTION
The enemy is unseen, but the struggle is
personal. Jesus gives us weapons to use against evil.
Satans forces are supernatural. These enemies who
are not flesh and blood are demons over
whom Satan has control. They are not mere
fantasies - they are very real. We face a powerful
army whose goal is to defeat Christs church.
When we believe in Christ, these beings become
our enemies, and they try every device to turn
us away from him and back to sin. Although we
are assured of victory, we must engage in the
struggle until Christ returns because Satan is
constantly battling against all who are on the Lords
side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan,
and God has provided this by giving us his Holy
Spirit within us and his armor surrounding us. If
you feel discouraged, remember Jesus words to
Peter: On this rock I will build my church, and
the gates of Hades will not overcome it
(Matthew 16:18). [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Winning the Battle Inside of You
You may not realize it, but youre in a
battle. You may not wear a military uniform, and you
may not dodge physical bullets.
But youre in a battle - an invisible
one. Its called spiritual warfare. Youll be
in the battle from the moment youre born
until the moment you die.
The Bible tells us that you have three
mortal enemies out to destroy your life and
everything God wants to do through it:
The world: the dominant value
system around us
The flesh: the old nature within
you
The Devil: a real being thats
out to steal and kill and destroy (John
10:10 NIV) along with his demonic minions
The victory for the battle youre in
wont come through bullets or tactics. The Bible
teaches us that, 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 (Ephesians 6:12 NIV).
In this battle, all that matters is
Jesus. He has to be the general of your life, the
one in charge of the battle plan. You may be a
believer, but thats not enough for this war within
you. Jesus has to be your Lord, too.
Many people believe in Jesus. But to find
victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil,
Jesus has to be more than just someone you believe
in.
Romans 7:24-25 says, What a wretched
man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that
is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who
delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (NIV)
The answer to the all-consuming battle
youre in isnt a self-help seminar, a new book,
or a conference. Its Jesus. Make him your
boss. Paul, who wrote the book of Romans, makes it
clear he cant win the battle on his own. His
only hope is Jesus Christ our Lord.
And thats your only hope, too. Jesus,
the Lord, who will deliver you. [Daily
Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
COMMENTARY
A Different Kind of Battle
Captain Scotty Smiley has served his
country with great courage, but he also has had to
face great adversity. A U.S. Army Ranger and a
combat diver-qualified infantryman, Captain Smiley
is also the Army's first active-duty blind
officer and its first blind company commander. In
April, 2006, Captain Smiley lost both of his eyes
when a suicide bomber blew himself up thirty
meters away from his vehicle.
He has faced this adversity with great
faith and courage, an example to anyone dealing
with a disability. Since losing his eyesight, he
has climbed Mount Rainier, completed a
triathlon, skied, skydived, and earned an M.B.A. He was
named Soldier of the Year in 2007 and has written
his story in a book called Hope Unseen. Captain
Smiley is a fantastic model of bravery and courage
on the battlefield.
As Christians, we, too, are in a battle,
but it's a battle of a different kind. It is not
a physical battle, but a spiritual one - and
it is just as real. The Bible tells us that we
are "fighting against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the
heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). It would blow our
minds if God were to pull back the curtain and
enable us to see into the spiritual world - the
world of God and Satan, the world of angels and
demons, the world of heaven and hell.
So here is our choice: Either we are
going to win or lose in this battle. Either we are
going to gain ground or lose ground. Either we are
going to advance or retreat.
Which will it be? It's a decision we all
need to make. [Every Day with Jesus by Greg
Laurie]
The Enemy
The Bible traces Satan's activities to a
moment of rebellion that occurred sometime between
the creation of the universe and the appearance
of the snake in the garden.
Lucifer's heart became proud. He was not
content to worship; he had to be worshipped (Isaiah
14:12-15). He was not content to bow before God's
throne; he had to sit upon it.
Satan succumbed to pride, and as a result
he was cast out of heaven. Jesus referred to
that eviction, saying, "I saw Satan fall like
lightning from heaven" (Luke 10:18).
But though he is cast out of heaven, he
is not out of our lives. "Be alert and of sober
mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter
5:8). He comes "only to steal and kill and
destroy" (John 10:10). You're enjoying happiness?
Satan wants to steal it. You've discovered joy?
He'll try to kill it. He is the enemy of your
God-given destiny and longs to be the destroyer of
your soul.
Don't dismiss him. [You Can Count On God
by Max Lucado]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Ephesians 6:10-13 - Christian Armor;
Introduction and Overview.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180511-1120.html
Ephesians 6:10-13 - Christian Warfare.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201018-1117.html
Romans 7:24, 25 - The Sinful Nature Is
Conquered in Christ!
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160610-1524.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
