Ephesians 6
Bible Passage: Ephesians 6
I must say that I’m glad to be sharing on one of my favourite chapters in the Bible (among many, many, many others). Yippee!
The book of Ephesians has a theme that is “Church – The body of Christ”, and I think if we were to read through the chapter either very in depth or some number of times, we would get Paul’s message in his letter. In today’s chapter, probably the most famous portion is on the armour of God (which happens to be one of my favourite collection of verses… Yippee x2!).
Standing Victorious
Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand…
– Ephesians 6: 13
As we know the armour consists of the waist belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, sandals (or some footwear) with the gospel of peace (never really got around describing it this way), shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit. I think many of us have heard of many teachings concerning each of them, and it’s kinda easy to kind out more of our church teachings about them. But I’m not going to go into details in this posting.
Rather, I’m just mentioning about the word “stand”. In verse 12, we read that we are facing an enemy not made of flesh and blood. But it’s a power that cannot be seen by the eyes, but it’s real and it’s bad (wicked). The devil is always looking for ways to make us fall, to bring us down with him. If we aren’t sober and vigilant, we’re really going down, not to be left standing before the evil one.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour…
– 1 Peter 5: 8
But as we’ve seen in verse 13, we have to be able to withstand against the ploys of the devil and ultimately, remain standing to the end. And that’s why we need this spiritual armour that much.
As soldiers for Christ, we must not be caught without the armour. A victorious army needs to be well equipped.
Are our belts holding up our pants?
Are our breastplates firmly fitted on our chests?
Are our sandals properly strapped on?
Are our shields at the ready?
Are our helmets covering our heads?
Are our swords sharpened and drawn for combat?
As the church and body of Christ, let us all be ready to face the wiles of the devil. The church of God cannot and will not fall, but we ourselves must not lax in our faith, but stand firm. As the children and soldiers of God, we have to lead victorious Christian lives, being able to stand against the devil and remain standing through it all and at the end.
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong…
– 1 Corinthians 16: 13
May God give us the strength and courage to stand firm in the faith all the days of our lives…
One Comment
PS
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:4 And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
God is our Father in heaven. We are His children (Eph 5:8)
Will God ever hold back any part of the armor and not give it to His children that they are defeated by the devil due to the lack of armory?
No, God gives without measures. God also gives abundantly and freely bec in Him giving to one child will not cause loss to another.
In the armor of God, there is a piece each for the waist, heart, feet, body, head and hand.
Is there anything for the mouth?
Paul requested that brethren prayed for him so that utterance may be given to him that he might open his mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel as he ought to speak(Eph 6:19-20).
The best protection for the mouth is for it to preach the gospel of life.
If we feel that we are lacking any piece of the armor, may be it is not that God has not given it to us, may be just that we have not put it.