This Means War: Eph. 6:10-20

I. Our Enemies vs. 10-12

A. Our enemies aren’t other people, political parties, unbelieving spouses, liberals, nor conservatives. Our enemies are the Devil, his demons, the world system/philosophy, and our own flesh!

B. Satan is a defeated foe, and he knows it, He is only able to go as far as Yahweh lets him. He is trying to take as many people to hell with him as possible and to weaken the church as possible.

C. Satan is called “the ruler of the power of the air”(2:2). Meaning that he is ruling this world, and shaping its thinking, at least temporarily. Hence, all these distinctions show how far reaching these philosophies are.

D. Our flesh gets in the way, which the book of Ephesians has mentioned (2:1-3) Ephesians 2:1–3

Ephesians 2:1–3 LSB

And you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, among whom we all also formerly conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

II. Our Weapons vs. 13-18a

A. Our weapons are our actions, our armor, and our arsenal.

B. Our actions are to resist, and stand. Resist in the evil day. We are never told to fight Satan, rebuke him, but to resist him, the evil day is everyday until Christ sets up His Kingdom. Jam. 4:7

James 4:7 LSB

Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

C. Then we are to stand, much like the watcher on the wall! Not to go on the offense. That’s Jesus’ job! We fight from victory, not for victory.

D. Our armor is all mentioned in the book Ephesians.

Truth: (1:13, 4:15, 21, 24-25, 5:9). Just like the Roman soldier’s belt tied up the robe letting them move freely so does the truth about who Jesus is, and who we are in Him. Eph. 4:25

Ephesians 4:25 LSB

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

Righteousness: Jesus gives us His righteousness, and we put on His righteousness. Much like the breastplate would protect your heart, and guts. Christ’s righteousness protects us when we live righteous lives. This is not a license to sin. Eph. 4:24

Ephesians 4:24 LSB

and to put on the new man, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Peace: (2:13-22) The gospel unites us with God and others. Giving us peace. Peace helps us to stand, when we want to run.

Salvation: “Chapters 1-3 tells us what salvation is, how it comes to us, Who has secured it, and what it has done for us. Chapters 4-6 show us the practical effects of salvation in our daily lives”- Jim Osman. Salvation protects our minds when doubts come.

E. Our arsenal: Our shield puts Satan’s arrows out. Faith is mentioned 5 times in Ephesians (1:13, 2:18, 3:12,17, 4:5, 13, 6:23). We are protected from attacks in proportion to our faith.

Our Sword:is the Bible. It tears down the strongholds. Satan, the world, or ourselves have put up. II Cor. 10:3-5

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 LSB

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the tearing down of strongholds, as we tear down speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

Philippians 4:4–7 LSB

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your considerate spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Our Source: The Holy Spirit does a work in our lives (1:13, 2:18, 22, 3:5, 16, 4:3-4, 30, 5:18, 6:18) and enables us for the fight.

Our Support: Prayer is like calling in an airstrike. Having a little talk with Jesus, the only one that can change things.

III. Our Allies vs. 18b-20

A. We need each other to encourage us. If we don’t have each other to encourage us, hold us accountable, and help us we can’t get through the battle.

B. Who do you need to encourage, and who do you need to pray for?