First, read this whole paragraph: Ephesians 6:10-20.

    There is an issue of power in this paragraph. The power of Satan, found among rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, spiritual forces of wickedness. But there is also the power of God: “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” There are three different Greek words in verse 10 that all mean “power.”

    That power of God can be used by believers in our struggle with the forces of evil. God’s power is a key theme in the book of Ephesians. The Christian life, as a whole, is a spiritual struggle. We are in a fight with Satan for our very souls, the eternal destination of our souls. Every believer, in fact every person, is involved in this battle. 

    Paul uses vivid expressions to depict this spiritual warfare, using the word “wrestle” or “struggle.” Nothing could depict better the close nature of this fight than picturing it as a wrestling match where every move you make is countered by your opponent and it is your wits and strength against his wits and strength.

    But the chief goal here in the paragraph is to stand firm! Notice the number of times Paul uses the word “stand” or a similar word: vs 11 (“stand”), vs 13 (“resist”), vs 13 (“stand firm”), vs 14 (“stand firm”). There is a strong element of resistance: a defensive posture, in fact. Paul says in verse 13 to put on the “whole armor of God” – the Greek word is panoply – the whole armor of God so that we can resist, to stand firm.

    I’m not going to take the time to examine each one of these items in this list of armor but I will say that every one of these is closely tied to Jesus Christ and every one is tied closely to the Gospel message. Spiritual warfare is, then, also preaching and teaching. Paul also thinks of “standing” in terms of being militant, aggressive, taking the offense.

    “Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” fearlessly proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. This whole spiritual armor is God’s armor; it comes from a picture of the Messiah from Isaiah 42:13 & 59:17. In the Roman army, these shoes were short boots, used for walking for miles to the battle front as well as pursuing the enemy. Christians need to be prepared to discuss the gospel message:

    “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15).

    Finally, the one offensive weapon we have is the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). The sword, the machaira, was a relatively short sword, even a dagger, a smaller knife that would be used in hand-to-hand combat. Our primary aggressive action as Christians is to spread the gospel in the world.

    Christians are in a spiritual warfare. We have our defensive armor and we have our offensive weapon. We ought to be busily engaged in spreading the gospel here at home and in other places around the world.

    The church is God’s tool for spreading the gospel to a lost world. Let us be His tool for that purpose.

Paul Holland