Ephesians 6:12
12 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.
“Stand firm” is the keyword used in this passage. It’s vital that we understand this word properly because it’s the key to unlocking the whole passage. In the military sense of the word “stand firm” means for holding one’s ground. “steko” is how the word is rendered in Greek and it gives the same meaning, (to stand firm in faith and duty, to be constant, to persevere, to remain steadfast and to continue in a state.)
You became part of a spiritual battle the day you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Like in any other battle, in spiritual warfare also it’s very important that every Christian knows how to hold his ground. In today’s sermon, we are going to learn what steps we must take in order to secure our territory.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Tapping the Source of Strength
Ephesians 6:10-11
A. Battles are exhaustive. An exhausted soldier needs to restore his strength or he becomes an easy target for the enemy.
B. This verse indicates that the source of our energy is not found within ourselves but within the Lord Jesus Christ.
C. I place my faith in God in order to tap into this source of strength. Then the Lord’s power becomes my power.
Identifying the Enemy
Ephesians 6:12-13
A. In warfare gathering intelligence is key. It’s used to identify and assess the enemy. The entire offensive depends on it.
B. In spiritual warfare, the Bible our source of intelligence identifies the devil and his hosts as our enemy.
C. The weaponry used depends on the kind of enemy you will engage. Like Pistols are useless in a situation that requires the heavy artillery our enemy is spiritual and therefore we need spiritual weapons.
The Belt of Truth
Ephesians 6:14
A. The belt held the rest of the armor together. From it hang the scabbard in which the sword was sheathed, (Ephesians 6:17)
B. The interpretation is 2 fold. First, it means the word of God, (John 8:32). We must know the word by heart.
C. Secondly our integrity and character. We should be doers of the word You can’t fight an evil that is already in you.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Ephesians 6:14b
A. The breastplate was made of bronze and covered the body from the neck to the thighs. It protected the soldier’s heart.
B. For the believer, this means to guard his heart above all else because it’s the source of life as well as evil, (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:11; 15:18).
C. Paul also refers to the “righteousness of Christ”, that “justification” found only in Him that protects us from the accusations of Satan, (Philippians 3:9)
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Ephesians 6:15
A. The specially designed shoes enabled the Roman soldier to remain well grounded even in the heat of the battle and to move fast over any terrain.
B. The interpretation is 2 fold. First, we have already been reconciled to God through the gospel. This is our foundation.
C. Secondly, we need to be ready with the same gospel to proclaim war against the devil and peace to the world.
The Shield of Faith
Ephesians 6:16
A. The Roman soldier’s shield consisted of two layers of wood glued together, covered with linen and hide, and bound with iron.
B. Faith means faith to obey God’s word, (Romans 10:17). The 5th weapon (2 Timothy 4:2) is an act of obedient faith.
C. Faith not supposed to shield us from physical suffering or guarantee ease but strengthen and comfort us in every situation.
The Helmet of Salvation
Ephesians 6:17
A. Illustration: Private Leon Wilson escaped a bullet fired by a sniper by only 2 Millimeters thanks to the helmet he was wearing, (Full story).
B. Our mind is Satan’s battlefield. He brings fear, hopelessness, frustrations, and despair into it.
C. We overcome these through the renewal of our hope in the salvation that flows from Christ, (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
The Sword of the Spirit
Ephesians 6:17b
A. Roman soldiers carried short, straight swords. Very effective in hand to hand combat and was essential for individual survival.
B. God’s word is our sword. The only weapon of offense. We must use it regularly in order to become proficient users.
C. Knowing the word (logos) is insufficient. Must know how to use it (rhema). Ex: Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 (Matthew 4:4)
Praying in the Spirit
Ephesians 6:18
A. All of the above is just preparation. We have not stepped into the battlefield until we start praying in the Spirit.
B. The most powerful position Christians assume is when they kneel.
C. Should be the prayer of perseverance, (Luke 18:1-8) and intercession, (Ephesians 6:19-20).
STAND FIRM
Ephesians 6:12 12 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.
“Stand firm” is the keyword used in this passage. It’s vital that we understand this word properly because it’s the key to unlocking the whole passage. In the military sense of the word “stand firm” means for holding one’s ground. “steko” is how the word is rendered in Greek and it gives the same meaning, (to stand firm in faith and duty, to be constant, to persevere, to remain steadfast and to continue in a state.)
You became part of a spiritual battle the day you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Like in any other battle, in spiritual warfare also it’s very important that every Christian knows how to hold his ground. In today’s sermon, we are going to learn what steps we must take in order to secure our territory.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Ephesians 6:10-11
A. Battles are exhaustive. An exhausted soldier needs to restore his strength or he becomes an easy target for the enemy.
B. This verse indicates that the source of our energy is not found within ourselves but within the Lord Jesus Christ.
C. I place my faith in God in order to tap into this source of strength. Then the Lord’s power becomes my power.
Ephesians 6:12-13
A. In warfare gathering intelligence is key. It’s used to identify and assess the enemy. The entire offensive depends on it.
B. In spiritual warfare, the Bible our source of intelligence identifies the devil and his hosts as our enemy.
C. The weaponry used depends on the kind of enemy you will engage. Like Pistols are useless in a situation that requires the heavy artillery our enemy is spiritual and therefore we need spiritual weapons.
Ephesians 6:14
A. The belt held the rest of the armor together. From it hang the scabbard in which the sword was sheathed, (Ephesians 6:17)
B. The interpretation is 2 fold. First, it means the word of God, (John 8:32). We must know the word by heart.
C. Secondly our integrity and character. We should be doers of the word You can’t fight an evil that is already in you.
Ephesians 6:14b
A. The breastplate was made of bronze and covered the body from the neck to the thighs. It protected the soldier’s heart.
B. For the believer, this means to guard his heart above all else because it’s the source of life as well as evil, (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:11; 15:18).
C. Paul also refers to the “righteousness of Christ”, that “justification” found only in Him that protects us from the accusations of Satan, (Philippians 3:9)
Ephesians 6:15
A. The specially designed shoes enabled the Roman soldier to remain well grounded even in the heat of the battle and to move fast over any terrain.
B. The interpretation is 2 fold. First, we have already been reconciled to God through the gospel. This is our foundation.
C. Secondly, we need to be ready with the same gospel to proclaim war against the devil and peace to the world.
Ephesians 6:16
A. The Roman soldier’s shield consisted of two layers of wood glued together, covered with linen and hide, and bound with iron.
B. Faith means faith to obey God’s word, (Romans 10:17). The 5th weapon (2 Timothy 4:2) is an act of obedient faith.
C. Faith not supposed to shield us from physical suffering or guarantee ease but strengthen and comfort us in every situation.
Ephesians 6:17
A. Illustration: Private Leon Wilson escaped a bullet fired by a sniper by only 2 Millimeters thanks to the helmet he was wearing, (Full story).
B. Our mind is Satan’s battlefield. He brings fear, hopelessness, frustrations, and despair into it.
C. We overcome these through the renewal of our hope in the salvation that flows from Christ, (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
Ephesians 6:17b
A. Roman soldiers carried short, straight swords. Very effective in hand to hand combat and was essential for individual survival.
B. God’s word is our sword. The only weapon of offense. We must use it regularly in order to become proficient users.
C. Knowing the word (logos) is insufficient. Must know how to use it (rhema). Ex: Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 (Matthew 4:4)
Ephesians 6:18
A. All of the above is just preparation. We have not stepped into the battlefield until we start praying in the Spirit.
B. The most powerful position Christians assume is when they kneel.
C. Should be the prayer of perseverance, (Luke 18:1-8) and intercession, (Ephesians 6:19-20).