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The Fight against Evil
10Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks. 12We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 13So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
14 Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God's justice protect you like armor. 15 Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. 16Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit.
18Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people. 19Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. 20I was sent to do this work, and this is the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.
Final Greetings
21-22 I want you to know how I am getting along and what I am doing. This is why I am sending Tychicus to you. He is a dear friend, as well as a faithful servant of the Lord. He will tell you how I am doing, and he will cheer you up.
23I pray that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will give peace, love, and faith to every follower! 24May God be kind to everyone who keeps on loving our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflect
After what seems like a pause in thought between verses 9 and 10, Paul concludes the Ephesian message with an urgent reminder of the serious conditions under which we pursue a life of faith in Christ.
Christians are both servants and soldiers. So as we seek to honour Christ (5:21) in the home (5:22-6:9) and the world at large (6:18) we need to draw on “the mighty strength of the Lord” (6:10).
Why do we need “the mighty strength of the Lord”? Because the evil powers that seek to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) will attack us when we’re living our everyday lives at home and elsewhere.
Fighting the devil … When we put on the armour of God to defend ourselves “against the devil’s tricks “(v.11) we’re protected (v.13) for a purpose; to stand firm in the truth (v.14), be righteous (v.14), share the Good News (v. 15), be faithful (v.16), engage with God’s Word (v.17) and pray in the Spirit (v.18).
Faith in Christ isn’t easy. We’re surrounded (in both the seen and unseen world, v.12) by the enemies of Christ. These enemies are hell-bent on our calamity – waging war against us for a single end – to undermine and incapacitate our Christ focused work and worship. But the victory is ours! God enables us to defeat these enemies through the power of His Spirit in us (1 John 4:4). We’re made strong by the all-sufficient Lord to fight the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 6:12).
This is the Good News. God is our Deliverer! We can face the foes lurking in the shadows surrounding our lives. Yes, without Christ we are weak, but with Him we are strong. “If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?” Romans 8:31. For the One who is in us is more powerful than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Respond
Lord, thank you for your mighty strength. Thank you for not only equipping us to defend ourselves against the rulers, authorities and powers of this dark world, but for giving us the power of your Spirit to stand against the devil’s schemes. Amen.
Lawson Murray
Lawson is the President of Scripture Union Canada and the Managing Editor of theStory™. Lawson takes every opportunity to enthusiastically invite people of all ages to connect with Jesus and His Story. He says, “We have been given the greatest story ever - God's Story! Should we not, with all our might and energy immerse ourselves in it? I believe we should. For without the Story we really have nothing to offer the millions who hunger and thirst for something more. But, with God’s Story we have what everyone needs!” Publications: Bible Engagement Blog; Children’s Ministry Basics Blog, Bible Engagement Basics; Bible Beginners