Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Ephesians 6
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Commentary:
6:10–13 The Lord’s Strength. Paul introduces the armor of God by focusing on the strength it gives.
6:10 be strong. Because Christians cannot stand on their own against superhuman powers, they must rely upon the strength of the Lord’s own might (see 1:19), which he supplies chiefly through prayer (6:18).
6:11 The Greek word for whole armor (panoplia) refers to the complete equipment of a fully armed soldier, consisting of both shields and weapons like those described in vv. 14, 16–17. Paul’s description here draws primarily on OT allusions, yet the terms used also overlap well with Roman weaponry (esp. the terms for the large, door-shaped shield and the short stabbing sword). Visible portrayals of such weaponry can be found on the numerous military reliefs (esp. on sarcophagi) throughout the Roman Empire. schemes. Here the diabolical origin is exposed, regarding the “deceitful schemes” of those teaching false doctrine (4:14; see also 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7).
6:12 This list of spiritual rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers (see 3:10) gives a sobering glimpse into the devil’s allies, the spiritual forces of evil who are exceedingly powerful in their exercise of cosmic powers over this present darkness. And yet Scripture makes clear that the enemy host is no match for the Lord, who has “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Col. 2:15; see also Eph. 1:19–21).
6:13 Therefore. Because the Christian’s enemies are superhuman spiritual forces, he cannot rely upon mere human resources but must take up the whole armor of God (see note on v. 11). The divine armor and “sword of the Spirit”—which belong to the Lord himself and to his Messiah in Isa. 11:4–5 and 59:17—are made available for believers. withstand. Along with “stand” in Eph. 6:11 and stand firm later in v. 13, Paul portrays Christians as soldiers in the battle line holding fast against the enemy’s charge. evil day. In 5:16 Paul identifies this whole age as “evil days,” yet the outbreak of the Satanic onslaught against Christ’s people ebbs and flows throughout this era until the final day when the Lord of Hosts will return in power and great glory (Luke 21:27) to rend the heavens and rescue his people forever.
6:14–17 Standing Firm. Paul reiterates the charge to stand in the face of dreaded spiritual enemies because the Lord has not left his people defenseless. They have the complete armor of God from head to foot, which consists of the belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword. These are metaphors for the spiritual resources given to them in Christ, namely, the truth, righteousness (v. 14), gospel (v. 15), faith (v. 16), salvation, and the Word of God (v. 17). As mentioned in the note on v. 13, these are aspects of God’s and the Messiah’s own character and work (as depicted in Isaiah) with which Christians are now equipped. For example, the Lord saw no one to deliver his oppressed people, so he put on his own “breastplate [of righteousness]” and “helmet of salvation” (Isa. 59:17; cf. Eph. 6:14, 17) before coming in wrath against his enemies.
6:14 With the simple, rousing order, stand, Paul urges the Ephesians to withstand the enemy (cf. vv. 11, 13), and not give in to fear.
6:15 Believers must always be ready to proclaim the gospel.
6:16–17 flaming darts. Burning arrows were designed to destroy wooden shields and other defenses, but the shield of faith is able to extinguish the devil’s attacks. the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The spiritual nature of the church’s resources is nowhere more plain than in its reliance upon God’s Word, which is the only offensive weapon mentioned in this list of spiritual armor. The Word of God is to be wielded like a sharp two-edged sword, in the mighty power of his Holy Spirit (see Heb. 4:12).
6:10 be strong. Because Christians cannot stand on their own against superhuman powers, they must rely upon the strength of the Lord’s own might (see 1:19), which he supplies chiefly through prayer (6:18).
6:11 The Greek word for whole armor (panoplia) refers to the complete equipment of a fully armed soldier, consisting of both shields and weapons like those described in vv. 14, 16–17. Paul’s description here draws primarily on OT allusions, yet the terms used also overlap well with Roman weaponry (esp. the terms for the large, door-shaped shield and the short stabbing sword). Visible portrayals of such weaponry can be found on the numerous military reliefs (esp. on sarcophagi) throughout the Roman Empire. schemes. Here the diabolical origin is exposed, regarding the “deceitful schemes” of those teaching false doctrine (4:14; see also 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7).
6:12 This list of spiritual rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers (see 3:10) gives a sobering glimpse into the devil’s allies, the spiritual forces of evil who are exceedingly powerful in their exercise of cosmic powers over this present darkness. And yet Scripture makes clear that the enemy host is no match for the Lord, who has “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Col. 2:15; see also Eph. 1:19–21).
6:13 Therefore. Because the Christian’s enemies are superhuman spiritual forces, he cannot rely upon mere human resources but must take up the whole armor of God (see note on v. 11). The divine armor and “sword of the Spirit”—which belong to the Lord himself and to his Messiah in Isa. 11:4–5 and 59:17—are made available for believers. withstand. Along with “stand” in Eph. 6:11 and stand firm later in v. 13, Paul portrays Christians as soldiers in the battle line holding fast against the enemy’s charge. evil day. In 5:16 Paul identifies this whole age as “evil days,” yet the outbreak of the Satanic onslaught against Christ’s people ebbs and flows throughout this era until the final day when the Lord of Hosts will return in power and great glory (Luke 21:27) to rend the heavens and rescue his people forever.
6:14–17 Standing Firm. Paul reiterates the charge to stand in the face of dreaded spiritual enemies because the Lord has not left his people defenseless. They have the complete armor of God from head to foot, which consists of the belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword. These are metaphors for the spiritual resources given to them in Christ, namely, the truth, righteousness (v. 14), gospel (v. 15), faith (v. 16), salvation, and the Word of God (v. 17). As mentioned in the note on v. 13, these are aspects of God’s and the Messiah’s own character and work (as depicted in Isaiah) with which Christians are now equipped. For example, the Lord saw no one to deliver his oppressed people, so he put on his own “breastplate [of righteousness]” and “helmet of salvation” (Isa. 59:17; cf. Eph. 6:14, 17) before coming in wrath against his enemies.
6:14 With the simple, rousing order, stand, Paul urges the Ephesians to withstand the enemy (cf. vv. 11, 13), and not give in to fear.
6:15 Believers must always be ready to proclaim the gospel.
6:16–17 flaming darts. Burning arrows were designed to destroy wooden shields and other defenses, but the shield of faith is able to extinguish the devil’s attacks. the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The spiritual nature of the church’s resources is nowhere more plain than in its reliance upon God’s Word, which is the only offensive weapon mentioned in this list of spiritual armor. The Word of God is to be wielded like a sharp two-edged sword, in the mighty power of his Holy Spirit (see Heb. 4:12).
Questions:
- Brandon went through several different forms of divination, which is seeking to uncover hidden knowledge by supernatural means, which is associated with the occult. Examples of divination are ouija boards, taro cards, witchcraft, palm reading, fortune telling, sorcery, etc. These are easy... stay away from this stuff! But others are more subtle. Christian mysticism is tricky because it sounds like truth, but overemphasizes experiences and feelings. It is often thought of as the practice of the "experiential knowledge of God." But it can lead down some weird roads that aren't biblical (Example: taking trips to heaven in your mind). Astrology is a belief that your personality and destiny are governed by astronomical phenomena at the time of your birth and then throughout your life, rather than the sovereign plan of God. Some believe crystals have healing power and can ward of evil spirits, bring luck, or help your romantic life, which is blatantly forbidden in Scripture (Deut. 18). Dream catchers are rooted in witchcraft and are signaling demonic spirits. Every single yoga pose pays homage to a different Hindu deity. According to Scripture, anything that seeks to manipulate the spirit world, whether it's intentional or not, can be categorized as witchcraft, regardless of your intentions (see Deut. 18, Jeremiah 14, 2Kings 17, Gal 5). Are there any areas of your life where you might be unknowingly dabbling in divination? How does all that strike you?
- False gods are false, but they are not make-believe. There are real demonic powers behind them. Evil spirits and demons are nothing to mess around with, but neither are they anything to be feared! Because if you are a Christ follower, you have the Spirit of God in you. And He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world! We should stand strong against the devil and fight his evil forces by putting on the full armor of God! How often are you going to battle against the enemy through prayer? Which of the pieces of armor need to be shored up in your life?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would run from any form of divination, and that the Holy Spirit would give you discernment to spot it.
- That you would put on the full armor of God.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
No Comments