The Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20
Ephesians 6:10-18
In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the devil, who is a vicious fighter;
see 1 Peter 5:8).
To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God's strength and use every piece of His armor.
Paul is not only giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ, but to all individuals within the church.
The whole body needs to be armed.
As you do battle against the "mighty powers in the dark world," fight in the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 6:12
Our actual enemies are demons over whom the devil has control.
They are not mere fantasies - they are very real.
We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ's church.
When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from Him and back to sin.
Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord's side.
We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us His Holy Spirit within us and His armor surrounding us.
If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus' words to Peter, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it"
(Matthew 16:18).
Ephesians 6:18
How can anyone pray at all times?
One way is to make quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day.
Another way is to order your life around God's desires and teaching so that your very life becomes a prayer.
You don't have to isolate yourself from other people and from daily work in order to pray constantly.
You can make prayer your life and your life a prayer while living in a world that needs God's powerful influence.
We also should pray for all believers in Christ; so pray for the Christians you know and for the church around the world.
Ephesians 6:19-20
Undiscouraged and undefeated, Paul wrote powerful letters of encouragement from prison.
Paul did not ask the Ephesians to pray that his chains would be removed but that he would continue to speak fearlessly for Christ in spite of them.
God can use us in any circumstance to do His will.
Even as we pray for a change in our circumstances, we should also pray that God will accomplish His plan through us right where we are.
Knowing God's eternal purpose for us will help us through the difficult times.
In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the devil, who is a vicious fighter;
see 1 Peter 5:8).
To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God's strength and use every piece of His armor.
Paul is not only giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ, but to all individuals within the church.
The whole body needs to be armed.
As you do battle against the "mighty powers in the dark world," fight in the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 6:12
Our actual enemies are demons over whom the devil has control.
They are not mere fantasies - they are very real.
We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ's church.
When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from Him and back to sin.
Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord's side.
We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us His Holy Spirit within us and His armor surrounding us.
If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus' words to Peter, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it"
(Matthew 16:18).
Ephesians 6:18
How can anyone pray at all times?
One way is to make quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day.
Another way is to order your life around God's desires and teaching so that your very life becomes a prayer.
You don't have to isolate yourself from other people and from daily work in order to pray constantly.
You can make prayer your life and your life a prayer while living in a world that needs God's powerful influence.
We also should pray for all believers in Christ; so pray for the Christians you know and for the church around the world.
Ephesians 6:19-20
Undiscouraged and undefeated, Paul wrote powerful letters of encouragement from prison.
Paul did not ask the Ephesians to pray that his chains would be removed but that he would continue to speak fearlessly for Christ in spite of them.
God can use us in any circumstance to do His will.
Even as we pray for a change in our circumstances, we should also pray that God will accomplish His plan through us right where we are.
Knowing God's eternal purpose for us will help us through the difficult times.