Our Spiritual Warfare (Eph 6:10-18)
Introduction
There are two opposite views of evil spirits common in mainstream America, both wrong. It is equally foolish to dismiss them or relegate them to the occult. Paul is warning and admonishing us not to be naïve about the danger that we face.
1. The reality of danger (v. 10-12)
Christians do not appreciate the power of the “spiritual hosts of wickedness” over us (Luke 22:31-33, 1Chron 21:1, John 13:2, Acts 5:3, 1Tim 4:1, 1Cor 7:5, Eph 4:26). He can command whole armies like pawns (Job 1:15-17). And he exerts a powerful influence over every person in the world who remains outside of Christ (Eph 2:1, 1John 5:19, Rev 12:9, 2Cor 4:3-4, Acts 26:17-18).
2. The need to stand (v. 11,13-14)
Early on in your Christian life, you might think that just to stand in this spiritual warfare is not much of an achievement. But the longer you live, the more you desire just to be standing at the end of the battle.
3. The armor of our defense (v. 14-18)
What is our defense? Truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and with all these prayer. And these are the armor of God that have power against a supernatural foe (like Perseus?).
The point does not seem to be why each virtue is like a certain piece of armor, because he changes the picture in 1 Thessalonians 4-5. What is important is that we make these our divine power for defense. And we're told twice to put on the whole armor of God.
Application |
