By Rev. Dr. Brent Russett – Asbury Free Methodist
November 26th, 2023 – Ephesians 6:10-20
We are finishing up our series on Ephesians today. It has been a good reminder of grace, the power of the cross and how we should live for Jesus and with one another.
Paul gets to the end of his letter and says, “Finally.” He has given them a lot of theology. He has given practical ways to live. Now he comes to the end of his letter, and he has one more important truth to impart so he says “Finally.”
The truth is wants to impart is, “Be strong in the Lord’s power so that when the day of evil comes you will be able to stand your ground.”
He goes onto say, the day of evil is going to come because the devil is real, and he is scheming against you.
What do you call a person who doesn’t believe in God? – An atheist. What do you call a person who doesn’t believe in the devil – An adiabolos – I don’t know. I am not sure that there is a word for it.
But there are a whole lot of people in the church who function as adiaboloses. They function as if there is no devil.
If you fall into that category, I hope I can help you to understand the spiritual forces around you.
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We live in a world where we are very aware of cause and effect. We tend to think if we understood all the physical realities of life, that we would be able to understand why things happen. But life isn’t quite that simple.
Now I recognize that there are some of you here who live in a much different world. You know there is a devil, and there are spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms – and it freaks you out – you try not to think of them.
Because when you start to focus on them you start to see demons behind everything that goes wrong. That is not healthy or good, so, you try not to think of them.
I get where you are coming from. You don’t want you to see a demon behind every rock. Doing that is unhelpful and unhealthy.
Our scripture today acknowledges the reality of these evil spiritual forces, but it doesn’t focus on them.
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I wish I could transport some of the maturity of the pastors I met in Ghana. Satan’s strategy in Africa seems to be very different that it is in North America. In North America, he wants to keep his existence hidden. If people don’t know he exists, then he can manipulate things behind the scenes and people are at a loss as to what is going on or how to fight it.
In Africa, he is very much in your face. His strategy is to have people walk in fear of him. They do all sorts of things to avoid being cursed. They worry about witch doctors cursing them. There is a lot of evidence that when a powerful witch doctor curses someone, they suffer with sickness. It is not unusual to see demon showing up in people during a church service.
The pastors in Africa have learned to deal with spiritual warfare effectively. It is no big deal. Weird stuff happens, and they deal with it in Jesus’ name and then go on. They are not afraid of the devil and they deal effectively with the demonic. It’s just a part of ministry.
Neither focusing on the work of Satan nor being oblivious to it is helpful. I am hoping that as we look at the scripture this morning that you will see a middle way. I am hoping that you will learn to identify spiritual warfare and respond appropriately to it.
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Come with me to Ephesians
Ephesians 6:10–13 (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Paul’s assumption is that all of you are going to face what he calls “the day of evil”. Jesus had to face down Satan in the wilderness. After that show down, this is what Luke says,
Luke 4:13 (NIV)
13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
If that happened to Jesus, you know it is going to happen to you. Peter says,
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
All of us are going to face “the day of evil”. I don’t think he is talking about one day in your life. It is more like a season of evil, or the day of evil this month. It just keeps coming. Satan is an opportunist. He is looking for an opportune time to come against you. He is on the prowl, looking for someone to devour.
The Bible acknowledges that we have struggles. Some of you get down on yourself just because you struggle. But the Bible affirms that as long as we are on the earth there will be times of struggles. Those struggles do not make you a bad person. Those struggles often come when an inside weakness, is attacked by an outside spiritual force.
When the troubles of life, the inward weakness and the outside spiritual forces come together, you are going to face “the day of evil”.
Now here is what you need to know, — life is not fair. Some of your evil days will be more intense that others of you. Your days of evil will be uniquely tailored by Satan to push all your buttons and prod all your weaknesses.
If you are insecure, he will try to crank that insecurity up to the max. If you are fearful, the anxiety will be overwhelming. The day of evil can come in the form of news – like when the doctor tells you, you have cancer. It can come in the form of grief, with the death of a loved one. It can come in the form of temptation, and if you give in, addictions.
It amazes me as a pastor, who often gets a window into people’s lives, how many forms the day of evil can take. It amazes me as a man, how devastating that day of evil can be. I have had a few in my life that have left me dazed.
Often Satan’s strategy is to ambush us. We don’t really see it coming, and then it hits. You are not given the opportunity to go back to the dressing room or the chapel if you would and get ready for the fight. When it hits, you are not going to get the opportunity to say – Oh I think I will beef up on my righteous now. That is not going to happen.
So, Paul writes saying,
Ephesians 6:10–11, 13b (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. … so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
In normal time, when the battle is not as intense, is the time to put on the full armour of God. You don’t wait until you are in the battle. Now is the time to be strong in the Lord and put on his armour, so that when the battle comes, you are ready.
When a hoard of evil descends on you, and they swing their clubs of anxiety, and anger, and hatred, and fear, and insecurity, and jealousy, and envy, and temptation – when it is all said and done, and the onslaught has passed – you have stood your ground and you are the one left standing.
So, the question is, how are you going to be ready for the fight. Paul sums it up by saying be strong in the Lord. In a few moments he is going to break out the different pieces of armour.
It’s about Jesus
Salvation, peace, righteousness, faith and truth, and the word of God. Well as you know Jesus is our salvation, the Bible says Jesus is our peace, the bible says we have his righteousness, the Bible talks about him being truth, he is the word of God. So, the short form is, if you are going to fight well, you need Jesus, be strong in the Lord. Abide in him. Remain plugged into him.
If you are going to fight well, the answer is Jesus. You are going to need him. But Paul helps us by becoming more specific.
But before we move into that, if you are going to fight well you need to know who you are fighting.
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Now as I am sure you know; Satan is not every where present like God is. So, the way he influences the world is through the demonic that is spread through around the world. Just to give you a little history – before the world began, Satan was the highest-ranking angel in heaven. He wanted to be dethroned God, so he led a rebellion. One third of the angels joined his side. Of course, they lost and were tossed out of heaven. Those angels became the demons.
Paul says, our struggle isn’t against people (flesh and blood) it is against these former angels, who have now gone to the dark side.
In North America, it is easier to believe that our fight is with obnoxious people, or with challenging circumstances, or with problematic issues, or character defects. Those things are very real. But those are not the things that will devour you.
Nor will demonizing those people or circumstances or issues help. They are not the enemy. They may be a tool in the enemy’s hands, but they are not the enemy. I recognize that there are some really difficult people in this world. There are people who oppress and hurt people. There are people who make life difficult for people, just because they can. As difficult as those people are, they are not the enemy.
If you treat them as the enemy, you are shadow boxing. You are just swinging at shadows, all the while your real enemy is looking for how to swing the knockout punch. John Maxwell says, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to what happens to you.” It is your response where the enemy of your soul is looking for deliver a knockout punch.
It is painful when we are hurt by others. That pain is real. You will need to heal from those wounds. But what often happens is that when those wounds happen we believe a lie about ourselves or about God. That lie is like an infection. It spreads past the wound and gets into the whole system. The wound itself might close over, but the lie that the enemy implanted continues to influence our life.
Often when we are wounded we believe lies like, “I don’t belong.” Or, “I am not loveable.” Or, “I am not worthy.” Or, “I can’t depend on anyone.” Or, “I can’t trust anyone.” Or, “I can’t let anyone close.” The lies go on and one. While you get over the hurt, the infection of the lie continues to influence you. Who is the a liar, and the father of lies. That is the devil. That is how he works in our lives.
This is why we run set free retreats and teach “Grow Character.” In these places we teach how to get rid of the lies and live in the truth.
But, it is far better to be able to stand firm than it is to be delivered. How are you going to protect yourself from the enemy? How are you going to be strong in the Lord.
Ephesians 6:14–18 (NIV)
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Let’s take that passage a verse at a time.
Ephesians 6:14 (NIV)
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Truth – only power Satan has is the power of the lie.
Jesus said, I am the truth
He said, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free
God’s word is truth – your feelings will lie to you. Our culture breeds lies all the time (You need to have stuff to be good human being)
You need to know God’s truth and apply it
Breastplate of righteousness
Two kinds of righteousness. – imparted righteousness (He who knew no sin…that we might know the righteousness of God in Him)
-Keep short accounts with God. Deal with your sin quickly. God’s mercy is real
The other kind of righteousness, is “right action that stems out of the character of God.”
Serving, loving, giving, sharing, challenging, ….
Polish your breastplate. – When the evil day comes, it will be too late to polish.
Someone has said, “When a man is clothed in practical righteousness, he is impregnable. Words are no defense against accusation, but a good life is[1]
Ephesians 6:15 (NIV)
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Jesus is our peace. He has made peace between God and us. You need to be swift and nimble on this. One of the main tactics is to try and drive a wedge between you and God – have you at odds with each other. But the good news that you have learned is that Jesus did everything that was required for God and us to be friends.
There is also something that is protective for you own self when you are ready to share this good news about how God wants a relationship with us, with others.
Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Faith is not a feeling. Faith is not the absence of doubt. Faith is not certainty. Faith is some sort of spiritual glow. Faith is a platform on which you stand, ready for action. Faith is a choice to act out of what you believe to be right. Faith and truth work together. If you choose to act out of what is true, the attacks of Satan will be extinguished. Because faith chooses to affirm what is right, in the face of temptation to judge God, his word, ourselves or others on the basis of feelings or circumstances.
Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Helmet of Salvation
Salvation means deliverance. In the heat of the battle remember your deliverance is sure. God’s promise is never to leave you or forsake you. You may not feel him or sense him. But he is there, and in the middle of the dust ups, you need to know that he will come through to you. This is a deep faith in the character of God.
Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.
This is not talking about sleeping with your Bible under your pillow. The word that is used for word, is a specific word, for a specific time and place. This is where God speaks into a situation.
Again you need to know the word. When you are battling fear, John 3:16 probably isn’t going to cut it. But knowing Joshua 1:9 might help
Jos 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
You need to know what God has to say about the situation where you find yourself in.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Paul moves on from his metaphor, but not from how to battle. Pray all kinds of prayers. Prayers of worship, prayers of confession, prayers of intercession for others, prayers of intercession for yourself. Prayer matters, because it is talking to God.
And God does what he might not otherwise do, because we pray.
Then Paul says and pray for me. – which is a reminder that we are in this battle together. Soldiers fight in squads or legions. You are not meant to battle alone. Linking your shield of faith together with others if more effective that standing behind a lone shield yourself. Having many swords pointed towards a particular problem is better than just one.
Ephesians 6:10–11, 13b (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. … God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Paul says that now is the time to get ready for the fight. If you enter the fight without your armour it is going to hurt.
Sermon Questions
Ephesians 6:10-20
Introduction
1. What are you celebrating these days?
2. What are you praying about these days?
Digging In
3. Read Ephesians 6:10-20 – Summarize this passage in one sentence.
4. Read 1 Peter 5:8. Why is putting on the armour of God crucial?
5. Reread verses 10-13. Describe what the “day of evil” may be referring to. What posture should we have when the day of evil comes? Describe what that means.
6. Verse 12 describes how Satan works. What do you think verse 12 means?
7. Verses 14 to 17 describes our spiritual armour. Look at each piece and explain what it means and how that item helps us in times of trouble or distress.
8. Reread verse 18. How are we to pray in times of warfare?
[1]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. 1997, c1995. Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments . Thomas Nelson: Nashville