Spiritual Warfare

In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul provides us with the clearest and most vivid description of what we're up against in the spiritual realm and how we must prepare ourselves for this deadly, dangerous spiritual warfare that every believer is engaged in.

I. The Force with Which We are Empowered - 6:10

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” We should note that spiritual warfare is the opposite of earthly warfare. In an earthly army, an earthly general finds strength in his troops. Without them, he is just an individual. But in spiritual warfare, Christian troops find strength in their general - in God. “Be strong in the Lord.”

There are three imperatives in 6:11-14 - "be strengthened," "put on the full armor of God," and "stand." These imperatives dominate the text, the rest of the verses are explanatory.

Do not look in the wrong place for strength. Our strength is not in our resources and ability, in how long we have been Christians, in how much we know about the Bible, or in how long we have been in ministry. Our strength is in our union with Jesus Christ and His mighty power (Eph. 1:19).

II. The Fight in Which We are Engaged – 6:12a

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood…”  Paul doesn’t mean to say that Christians had no enemies among men that opposed them, for they were exposed often to fiery persecution; nor that they had nothing to contend with in the carnal and corrupt propensities of their nature, which was true of them then as it is now; but that the believers main controversy was with the invisible spirits of wickedness that sought to destroy them. They were the source and origin of all their spiritual conflicts, and with them the warfare was to be maintained. 

Sam Storms makes a great point as he says, “Rarely, if ever, will Satan confront you as Satan. He will almost always approach you indirectly, disguised as someone or something who or that is more likely to win your trust (e.g., when Peter opposed Jesus' going to Jerusalem in Mt. 16). He will come to you through something you hear or see, perhaps a movie, a lecture by a brilliant, articulate, but pagan professor, through a well-meaning friend, or as an angel of light. After all, if you knew it was Satan, you'd be less inclined to listen or say yes.”

III. The Foes Which We Will be Encountering – 6:11-12

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Notice in 6:12 that there are four designations that describe the different strata and rankings of demons and the evil supernatural kingdom in which they operate. Satan's forces of darkness are highly structured for the most destructive purposes. (Read Cols. 2:15; 1Peter 3:22)

IV. The Firmness Which We are to Exhibit – 6:11, 13, 14

1. Verse 11, “that you may be able to stand…”; v.13, “that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”; v. 14, “Stand therefore,”  

Twice we are told to put on (6:11) and take up (6:13) the “whole armor of God.” The armor of God is given to us believers to help us stand against the devil. It is introduced as defensive armor. Verse 13: "Take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." How to stay standing is the issue.

One of the keys to standing firm involves shoes. In verse 15 the readiness the gospel of peace is for moving in steady, solid, secure confidence. To stand doesn’t mean to be like an immovable statue. A ready offense is an essential part of a successful defense.

V. The Fitting Armor with Which We are Equipped – 6:14-17

After telling us to put on the armor, Paul now describes it. The first thing to recognize is the armor is "of God" (v. 13). As mentioned, in the Old Testament God is a warrior (Isa 11:1-5; 59:17). The same armor the Messiah wears in battle is also our battle gear. There is no reason to yield one inch to Satan if we have put on the full armor of God. Nevertheless, we must be ready and equipped.

 1. The Belt of Truth - 6:14a, “having fastened on the belt of truth,”

Truth is important in Ephesians. It is revealed in the gospel (1:13; 4:15), and believers must be truth-speaking people (4:24-25; 5:9). Paul summarizes the source of truth in 4:21: "The truth is in Jesus." Coming to Jesus, believing in Jesus, resting in Jesus is coming to the truth. Put the truth of Christ on every day. Preach the truth of the gospel to yourself and live in that truth throughout the day.

Four Strongholds of Truth

(a) Lord Jesus is the Person of truth ‑ Jn 14:6; Roms 13:14

(b) The Word of God is the Word of Truth ‑ 2 Tim 2:15

(c) The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth ‑ Jn 16:13,14

(d) The Church is the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth ‑ 1 Tim 3:14‑15

2. The Breastplate of Righteousness -

   6:14b, “having put on the breastplate of righteousness,”

For the Roman soldier the breastplate covered the chest to protect it against assaults and arrows. Paul draws this language from Isaiah 59:17, where Yahweh puts on "righteousness like a breastplate." Once again we are to put on the virtues of our Messiah.

Is this righteousness "objective" (imputed) or "subjective" (imparted)? Probably both.

3. The Shoes of Peace ‑ 6:15, “and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”

We are to shod or fit our feet with preparation or readiness for the gospel of peace, i.e., we are to be prepared and ready to proclaim the glorious gospel of peace (1 Pet. 3:15; Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:13-15). The gospel is the power of God by which people are set free from Satan's captivity and tyranny (2 Cor. 4:3-4; Eph. 2:1-2; Acts 26:18 - See especially Rev. 12:10-11.)

Paul could be referring to the peace in the gospel which we proclaim or to the peace of the gospel which we experience. Surprisingly, it is amid spiritual warfare that we are called on to proclaim spiritual peace!

4. The Shield of Faith ‑

   6:16, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;”

Faith, in and of itself, does not protect us against Satan. Rather, it is the object/focus of our faith: God and his powerful presence in our lives (Prov. 30:5; Ps. 5:12; 2 Sam. 22:3). Nevertheless, it is we who extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one through faith. We are active. Faith is something we do.

5. The Helmet of Salvation - 6:17a, “

   And take the helmet of salvation…, “and as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thess 5:8).  The principal battleground in spiritual warfare is in the mind. Hence, we have need for a helmet of protection, a "spiritual hardhat," if you will. The helmet of the Roman soldier was made of iron or bronze with a sponge of some sort lining the inside.

The "helmet of salvation" is most likely a reference to the assurance of our salvation: "That which adorns and protects the Christian, which enables him to hold up his head with confidence and joy, is the fact that he is saved" (Charles Hodge).

6. The Sword of the Spirit – 6:l7b,

   “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”

The "sword" refers to the short (12-14 inches) straight sword used in close combat. Satan not only launches fiery missiles from afar, but he also moves in close for hand-to-band combat!

The Spirit is not himself the sword. The Word is the sword. This sword is "of the Spirit" in the sense that it is the Holy Spirit who gives power both to the written and spoken Word of God.

VI. The Field in Which We Engage the Enemy – 6:18

“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” Prayer is the power behind the armor! Paul does not begin a new sentence in verse 18. It is a continuation of thought. We stand firm against the enemy's schemes through prayer. We are to take up the sword of the Spirit prayerfully.

The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! His doom is sure. One little word shall fell him.   

What is that “one little word” that will fell Satan? Martin Luther identified the word he had in mind, the one little word to fell our foe: “Devil, you lie,” … Dr. Luther sings so proudly and boldly in those words of his hymn, “One little word shall fell him.” The one, little word against Satan - “Liar!” - is the word of faith.