Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador inchains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should. —Ephesians 6:10-20
“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.” —Ephesians 6:10
In our walk with Christ, we must be aware of
Our struggle is not against people but against
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.” —Ephesians 6:11-13
“Many of the problem our neighborhood, our world, and we ourselves face are beyond our capacity just to roll up our sleeves and muscle our way to a solution…sin is a power, rather than a type of human action.” —Mary Howell Shore
“Don’t give the devil an opportunity.” —Ephesians 4:27
We put on the armor of God by
“Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God.” —Ephesians 6:14-17
“A spiritual kingdom lies all about us, enclosing us, embracing us, altogether within reach of our inner selves, waiting for us to recognize it. God Himself is here waiting our response to His Presence. This eternal world will come alive to us the moment we begin to reckon upon its reality.” —A.W. Tozer
“Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.” —Ephesians 6:18-20
“A changed world begins with us…and a changed us begins when we pray.” —Eugene Peterson
There is an invisible
“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.” —(Ephesians 6:10)
For further study:
Scripture: Psalm 35; Isaiah 59; 1 Thessalonians 5
Resources: “Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Meditation” by Adele Calhoun
Community Group Guide:
How does it influence your life to consider invisible realities?
In what ways do you struggle to set your mind and heart on Jesus?
What role does prayer play in your life?
How do you receive this statement from Eugene Peterson, “A changed world begins with us…a changed us begins when we pray.”
To prepare for next week: Benediction; Ephesians 6:21-24