Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 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.—Ephesians 6:10-12
There is great irony in the existence of evil. On one hand, there is no place we can turn that is safe from evil’s reach. It permeates the evening news and our daily lives, yet even amid this present darkness, many people struggle to believe in the spiritual forces of Satan’s realm. This struggle, this battle against the forces of evil, is what we call ‘spiritual warfare ‘. It is a battle that takes place in the spiritual realm, but its effects are felt in our daily lives, in our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
As we conclude the book of Ephesians in the next three weeks, we examine one of the great passages of scripture in which Paul hints at a spiritual world, a realm beyond our physical senses, that we can barely fathom. This spiritual world, inhabited by both good and evil spiritual beings, influences our daily lives and is the backdrop for the spiritual warfare we are engaged in. Paul tells us how to be victorious against the forces of evil in this spiritual world.
Satan is real. Accepting that truth is the beginning of living victoriously in this age. Mankind entered an age dominated by sin and its consequences when he rebelled against God, and only the death and resurrection of Jesus could redeem us. Today, we are saved from the penalty and power of sin, and in the age to come, we will also be saved from the presence of sin.
Until that day, we fight.
The Bible has much to say about Satan and the cosmic beings that followed him in rebellion. These are the ones Paul refers to in our text today. While we are not to fear them, it is essential that we understand their tactics of temptation and accusation lest we lose the daily battles.
There is great irony in the existence of evil. On one hand, there is no place we can turn that is safe from evil’s reach. It permeates the evening news and our daily lives, yet even amid this present darkness, many people struggle to believe in the spiritual forces of Satan’s realm. This struggle, this battle against the forces of evil, is what we call ‘spiritual warfare ‘. It is a battle that takes place in the spiritual realm, but its effects are felt in our daily lives, in our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
As we conclude the book of Ephesians in the next three weeks, we examine one of the great passages of scripture in which Paul hints at a spiritual world, a realm beyond our physical senses, that we can barely fathom. This spiritual world, inhabited by both good and evil spiritual beings, influences our daily lives and is the backdrop for the spiritual warfare we are engaged in. Paul tells us how to be victorious against the forces of evil in this spiritual world.
Satan is real. Accepting that truth is the beginning of living victoriously in this age. Mankind entered an age dominated by sin and its consequences when he rebelled against God, and only the death and resurrection of Jesus could redeem us. Today, we are saved from the penalty and power of sin, and in the age to come, we will also be saved from the presence of sin.
Until that day, we fight.
The Bible has much to say about Satan and the cosmic beings that followed him in rebellion. These are the ones Paul refers to in our text today. While we are not to fear them, it is essential that we understand their tactics of temptation and accusation lest we lose the daily battles.
Discussion Questions
- Identifying Our Battles: The passage refers to “the devil’s schemes.” What are some of the spiritual battles we might face in today’s world? How can we recognize them? Pastor Russell listed several temptations (immediacy, rationalization, discontent, and piety) and accusations (regret, punishment, desertion, secrecy, and effort). Which ones give you the most trouble?
- God’s Power vs. Our Own: This passage emphasizes God’s mighty power. How can we overcome the tendency to rely solely on our strength when facing challenges?
- The Full Armor: Ephesians 6:11 mentions “the full armor of God.” Why is it essential to wear all the armor, not just a piece or two?
- Standing Firm: Ephesians 6:11 uses the word “stand” several times. What does standing firm in our faith look like even when facing difficulties?
- Vulnerability & Sharing Struggles: Spiritual warfare can be isolating. However, within our Christian community, we can create a community to share struggles and support each other, fostering unity and strength. Do you have that? How does it help? How can we encourage and hold each other accountable in our journeys of putting on God’s armor and standing firm in our faith?
Posted in Sermon Notes