Wednesday 13^th February

Ephesians 6:10-20

Underestimating an enemy is absolute foolishness. What general would lead his troops into war not having researched his enemy beforehand? His protocol would be to analyse his opponent’s weakness and strategise his tactical moves against his enemy. Does this sound familiar? Well, I guess we could answer yes and no. The only difference is that although we should not underestimate our opponent, we already have the victory is Christ. Our strategy is as follows…

In Ephesians 6, we are given the imagery of the armour a Roman soldier would wear in battle. This is to symbolise the preparation of us believers, to guard ourselves against the enemy (the devil). The first thing to note of importance is that we should not underestimate the enemy. Why? Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (although it feels like it on some days) but we wrestle against powers and rulers of the air. Paul doesn’t say, everything’s going to be alright, Gods on your side, you don’t need armour, just chill. NO!! On the contrary Paul warns us against our enemy knowing that his evil schemes and flaming darts could cause us damage. We are encouraged however to wear God’s armour. Yet there is one verse that stands out above all as reminder of the victory already won, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of HIS might” (verse 10). The comfort here is not that we can rely on our strength, but rather on the victory already won by Christ. Not in our might and power but in that of Christ Jesus.

In these few verse’s Paul tells us to STAND 3 times. Stand firm in God’s might. We may wrestle against powers greater than ourselves but they are surely not greater than Jesus Christ, the Victor, in whom all powers of darkness have been defeated. Paul here, is saying that we must guard ourselves with Christ’s power rather than fight in our own strength.

This epistle to the church in Ephesus was most probably written in a Roman prison. Paul would have been all too familiar with the imagery of Roman armoury. So he gives a list of each item of armour and its purpose. A belt of truth; the belt held the tunic and the rest of armour together. By putting truth around our waist we hold our faith securely when doubt comes our way. The breastplate of righteousness; the breastplate was there to protect the soldier’s vital organs and so we must also guard our hearts in righteousness, for what soldier can fight with a wounded heart. Soldier’s shoes; in wearing protective shoes the soldier would guard himself from dangerous terrain but it was also a sign of readiness. We too must always be ready to share the gospel of peace and repentance wherever the Lord leads us. The shield; the shield was an object of protection. Paul here says that we need a shield to protect us from the flaming arrows of the enemy. Who is our strength and shield? The Lord God Almighty. When the enemy tries to shoot you down, draw on Christ’s protection and let Him be your shield. The helmet of salvation; the helmets role is obvious but also stands as a reminder, much like the breastplate, to stand firm in our salvation and to guard our hearts and minds from the enemies evil schemes. The sword; finally Paul concludes with the sword. This is an active resource. This is for our protection. When the enemy comes against we are not to be passive but to stand and fight, again not in our strength, but in the promise that as Hebrews 4:12 states, that God’s word is sharper than any double edged sword, it’s living and powerful and only with it can we overcome the enemy.

Brothers and sisters, don’t STAND in defeat but in victory. You are on the winning side and Christ in us, is the power to overcome the enemy. Don’t underestimate your enemy but don’t underestimate the true and living God.