Text: Ephesians 6:10-11
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”
In the tapestry of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we find a profound exhortation to believers regarding the source and nature of their strength. Our text, Ephesians 6:10-11, serves as the gateway to a powerful passage (verses 10-20) that outlines the essential spiritual preparedness for the Christian life. This call to arms can be understood in three distinct parts: verse 10 defines the “What” – “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Verse 11 expands on this, clarifying the “How” – “put on the full armor of God.”And finally, verse 12 reveals the crucial “Why” – “for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers.”
Ephesians 6:12 vividly paints the picture of our true adversaries: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” This profound truth informs the rest of Paul’s instruction, leading to the “How to be strong” in verses 13-20, which focuses on taking up the full armor of God (vv. 13-17) and praying in the Spirit at all times (vv. 18-20).
The Source of Our Strength: God’s Superior Might
Because the struggle of believers is not against flesh and blood, we require a strength that can resist and withstand the formidable powers in the spiritual realm. Such power simply does not exist outside of God; it does not reside inherently in humanity. Yet, in His boundless grace, God has provisioned us with precisely that kind of power – the strength of His might. God wants us to be strong with His strength. God wants His strength to be our strength.
To be strong in the Lord is to be invested with God’s superior power. The Greek word for “strength” here is kratos, denoting inherent, natural power, often attributed to God, signifying supremacy, superiority, control, and dominion. “Might” (ischys) refers to ability and strength. Together, they describe God’s superior power or might. This superior might of God was powerfully demonstrated in Christ, as articulated in Ephesians 1:19-21: “and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” God took control of death, placing Christ far above all rule and authority. This superior strength is available to every true believer through the resurrected Christ!
The Believer’s True Strength: The Full Armor of God
The true strength of the believer is manifest in the “full armor of God.” Ephesians 6:13 commands, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” This armor, meticulously described in Ephesians 6:14-17, is not a human invention but a divine provision:
- “Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
It’s significant to note that in the Old Testament, God Himself is described as a warrior going into battle, clothed in similar divine attributes (Isaiah 59:16-19). Like God, we can go into battle invested with the very same things He wore in His own spiritual warfare, and more.
The Components of Our Strength:
- Truth (v. 14): Belting our waist with truth helps us see everything as God sees it, for truth is God’s reality, while man’s reality is often illusion and delusion. Truth breaks the chains of spiritual bondage, whether from tradition, superstition, or false teachings. We are exhorted: “Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23). Arm yourself with truth!
- Righteousness (v. 14): Putting on the breastplate of righteousness saves us from condemnation (Proverbs 11:4-6). God delivers the righteous, as Psalm 34:17 declares: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears And rescues them from all their troubles.” Clothe yourself with the righteousness of God!
- The Gospel of Peace (v. 15): Having our feet strapped with the preparation of the gospel of peace reminds us of who Christ is and why we trust in Him. It reminds us of what Jesus did for us and what God can do for those who believe in Him.
- Faith (v. 16): Taking up the shield of faith is our confidence that God is able to do things beyond our comprehension. Faith gives us hope for things to come and enables us to claim today what is yet to come, for real faith can “move mountains.”
- Salvation (v. 17): The helmet of salvation brings assurance, removing doubt and fear of coming judgment, and firmly establishes our place in Christ.
- The Word of God / Scripture (v. 17): The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, equips us with all the knowledge and wisdom needed to overcome struggles. It provides the wisdom and ability to resist and win over Satan’s arguments, just as Jesus did when He responded with, “It is written…”
Utilizing God’s Superior Power: Standing Firm and Praying in the Spirit
The believer can utilize God’s superior power in two primary ways:
- By Taking a Firm Stand: Paul uses the word “stand firm” three times in this passage (Eph 6:11, 13, 14), echoing similar exhortations in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and 1 Peter 5:12. To stand firm means to hold one’s ground, to maintain a position like soldiers in battle, to be steadfast and upright. We stand firm when we never give up our place in God for the sake of earthly offers, opportunities, or concessions.
- When a believer stands firm on the truth, Satan’s lies cannot deceive him or her.
- When a believer stands firm on righteousness, the world’s wicked schemes cannot attract him or her.
- When a believer stands firm on the gospel of peace, he is ready to proclaim Christ to the lost.
- When a believer stands firm in faith, the enemies cannot break him with problems and troubles.
- When a believer stands firm in the Word, he is undefeatable; he is an overcomer. It’s important to note: truth prevails with or without our help, but when we hold on to truth, it is for our benefit!
- By Praying in the Spirit at All Times: Ephesians 6:18-19 calls us to “With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints, and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” This echoes other biblical injunctions to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17), to devote ourselves to prayer (Col 4:2), and to persevere in tribulation (Rom 12:12). To pray in the Spirit, as Romans 8:26-27 teaches, means the Spirit helps our weakness, interceding for us with groanings too deep for words, according to the will of God.
Conclusion: Our Place in History and Our Future
Our standing in history as believers is not the result of human abilities, but solely of the strength of God’s might. It is only because of God that we are able to hold on and stand firm and strong through the years. Our future, both individually and corporately, will continue on the same path IF we choose to stand firm, just as we have endeavored to do.
As 2 Thessalonians 2:15 reminds us, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” These “traditions” refer to the apostles’ teachings on Christian practices, the sound words faithfully handed down (1 Corinthians 11:2). Our calling is to “Hold on to the example of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Protect, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” (2 Timothy 1:13-14). And like Paul, we are to “entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Let us, therefore, embrace the divine provision of strength available to us in Christ. Let us put on the full armor of God, stand firm in truth and righteousness, and pray unceasingly in the Spirit. In doing so, we will not only withstand the schemes of the devil but also thrive as empowered believers, fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.
