Ephesians 6:10-13b (Take up your armor)

            Summary:  Paul has just left his calling to a Godly home but now he sets up to finish his letter to the church in Ephesus.  He now transitions into the mighty armor of God.  But before he gets into the armor he claims why we should put in on, namely, to withstand the devils schemes.

            Note: The phrases “Put on,” or “take up” is used three times in this passage to help add emphasis to its importance.               

Timeless Principle:  One point that is made in this text is that of the simple fact that we are in a war.  Listen, we are in a battle that is a very real and very important.  Let it be known that in every single move, action, or decision we make is in some way related to this war.  Ephesians 2 presents a scary thought, one that demands attention in light of this verse.  We, in our sin, followed hard after “the prince of the power of the air,” to be put more simply we followed Satan.  Chapter 4 says so clearly that not only did we follow Satan but we were GREEDY to do so.  This is a scary thought, but in light of this text it carries an extra “oomph” if you will.  We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers, the powers, and spiritual forces of darkness.  We are in a very real war and in the things we do we are sowing to one kingdom or another, to Satan or unto Christ.  So what does this mean, how does it apply, what do I need to do because verse 12 exists?  It calls to realize that in our sin we are sowing and giving to the kingdom of self and Satan.  This war is an interesting one, in it we are fighting but in Christ we have already won but you still must fight and fight valiantly, making a declaration of all-out war against the sin and Satan and this is serious which leads into another point.

The next point is can be brought out with a question.   The question is simple “how?”  How do we fight against the unseen, how can we wage in a war that is in many ways bigger than ourselves?  Is it even conceivable or is it even possible?  The answer is found in this text.  We are to take a Holy armor not one that is made of hands for what good is armor made by hands against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places, instead we need an unseen armor, one that is cross-centered.  This armor that Paul alludes to in this text is necessary to every Christian.  Because it allows to withstand in the evil day, to withstand against the schemes of the devil, to discern what is good, it is that simple.  Paul will clearly define this armor in the rest of the text but for now it is important to note that we are to take it up and fight against these forces mentioned inverse 12.

My Prayer:  Father, this text brings to light a responsibility that is not optional, I must take up your armor and fight.  Give me strength, o Lord, for in my strength this war is impossible but with You Father all things are possible.  You are the one who in spilling your son’s blood purchased me having made me a people for your own possession such that I might bring you glory.  I confess lord that I let earthly things cloud my view, even good things, be it school, friends, a relationship, peoples opinions and approval.  I confess that in these things I have followed Satan and hated you.  I am unworthy of your grace and yet you continue to poor it out in the most of mighty ways.  God remove me from my selfishness, I want my way but in my way, I have only hurt and continue to hurt those who matter most to me.  Remove my heart from those things that still hold on to it such that you might have all of it.  Your love is endless and my heart is futile so Father please I beg you to kill off my desires such that I might walk in yours.  My life is not my own.  Father might I now, only through your strength, fight to reach out to a dying world, fight to free my heart from the things of the world, and fight, most importantly to bring honor and glory to you.  Above all things may your will be done even when your will brings me to tears and begins to rip away at my heart God because I know your ultimate plan is to make me more like you son at all costs so may your will be done on this Earth.  I ask these things in Christ’s name, Amen.