Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (NKJV).
What have we covered that has brought us to the subject of the armor of God?
Ephesians 1:3 Redemption in Christ; Ephesians 1:15 Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom
Ephesians 2:1 By Grace Through Faith; Ephesians 2:11 Brought near by His Blood; Ephesians 2:19 Christ Our Cornerstone; Ephesians 3:1 The Mystery Revealed; Ephesians 3:8 Purpose of the Mystery; Ephesians 3:14 Appreciation of the Mystery; Ephesians 4:1 Walk in Unity; Ephesians 4:7 Spiritual Gifts; Ephesians 4:17 The New Man; Ephesians 4:25 Do Not Grieve the Spirit Ephesians 5:1 Walk in Love; Ephesians 5:8 Walk in Light; Ephesians 5:15 Walk in Wisdom; Ephesians 5:22 Marriage — Christ and the Church; Ephesians 6:1; Children and Parents; Ephesians 6:5 Bondservants and Masters;
And now we begin a study of Paul’s teaching of Spiritual Warfare beginning with Ephesians 6:10 and speaking about the “The Whole Armor of God.”
Paul begins with the word “FINALLY.” The apostle Paul uses this frequently in the concluding portion of his epistles, introducing practical exhortations, not necessarily implying that the letter is drawing to a close, but marking a transition in the subject-matter, (from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
It is true, that the subject of “The Armor of God” is the last main subject that Paul deals with in this Epistle. It is also the beginning of a larger understanding of the Lord’s purpose which He has accomplished in His “one new man” coming out of every nation. An understanding of a battle which we are all engaged. Without the proper “armor,” we will suffer loss, but with an understanding of each piece of armor, we will be equipped for the battle.
I remember when I was drafted into the military in 1964. The first process was boot camp, where I learned about clothing and equipment I would be wearing into battle as well as the weapons of warfare I would use. I needed training in the use of and upkeep of those weapons. The more I understood about my equipment, the better prepared I was to engage the enemy with a view of defeating him.
One of the major functions of boot camp was to get the soldiers in shape. We would need to be strong and fit for what we would encounter in the battles ahead. For the believer, our strength is found in the Lord and the power of His might. Believers do not trust in their strength because it is not sufficient for spiritual warfare. After all, we are engaged with a “supernatural” force that can only be overcome through the strength and power of our great God and King.
Paul spoke to the Corinthians reminding them of the weapons of our warfare, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).
In Ephesians 6 we will learn in detail of our armor and weapons, but in Paul’s word to the Corinthians, he focuses on the purpose of the warfare. He first makes the point, even though we are walking in this life, still, in the flesh or our human body, we are not fighting with human means. He calls, human means, “carnal.” Carnality is simply humankind of reasoning without the benefit of the Holy Spirits’ leadership. Doing what our mind deems best or reasonable.
The believer has been given “weapons” from God which are, mighty for dealing with the true enemy we are up against. That is Satan and his demonic forces that attack the minds of people and become entrenched in human reasoning and arguments.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled”
So here it is. We are engaged in the battle for the soul of people. Paul understood when he preached the “word of God,” the truth of the “Good News in Christ,” the “Gospel of the Kingdom of God.” He was “pulling down strongholds,” in the minds of people. He was coming against “arguments” which the demonic world had created and men believed. Especially dealing with “idolatry” wrapped up in “sexual perversion” and pleasures of the flesh. All of which was housed in the reasoning of this world’s systems.
Paul understood his assignment in the warfare. That is, dealing with everything that “exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” He also understood that he was God’s instrument in bringing every thought to the “obedience of Christ.” He concluded this thought by mentioning the believer’s part in the realm of judgment on all disobedience.
This is the context for understanding the necessity of putting on the armor of God and taking up the offensive weapons the Lord has made available to every believer as outlined in Ephesians 6:10-18. It begins with Paul’s admonition “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” It must begin in a relationship with the Godhead through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who establishes the life of Christ in us. Nothing can happen with any kind of effectiveness without developing our relationship with the “Spirit of the Father and the Spirit of the Son” which is all contained in the person of the Holy Spirit, the Father’s promise to all who believe on Christ (see Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:6-8).
The book of Acts is really the “Acts” of the Holy Spirit through the “Apostles” and those who believed on Christ through their witness. I suggest reading the book of Acts from the perspective of the warfare we have been called to and the armor of God which we are presently studying. This will help in learning to apply what Paul is saying in Ephesians 6:10-18.
As you put on the armor of God, prayer verse 10 as you seek the Lord. Pray, Father, please give me today the “strength” that comes from you alone. Father, please give me today the power necessary to win the battles that I will encounter. I know that this is what Jesus had in mind when He taught His disciples to pray, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and power, and glory forever.”