Put on the Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10–24

Ephesians 6:10–24 (CSB)

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Tychicus, our dearly loved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts.

Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Intro

Good morning, dear family. This week, we’ll be concluding our study of Ephesians. It’s been a joy to explore this book together, and I hope you’ve felt encouraged and spurred on in your pursuit of holiness and righteousness. As we’ve delved deeper, we’ve seen that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been raised to spiritual life and united with Christ, empowering us to co-labor in His mission—to build God’s kingdom on earth.

A central emphasis throughout our study has been the true supernatural nature of this life. As we finish the letter today, we will again turn our focus to this supernatural reality.

The Lord’s strength

Paul urges us to "be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength," and then instructs us to put on the full armor of God. What I want us to understand is that God is on the offense—He fights our battles and secures our victory. Our role, however, is to stand firm and hold the line, adopting a defensive posture.

Notice that the armor Paul describes is centered on defense. He doesn’t urge us to take up a sword of anger or a spear of retaliation. Instead, we’re called to wear the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Each piece is designed to help us stand firm, not launch an attack. The focus is on holding our ground. Even the sword we carry—the Word of God—serves primarily as a defensive weapon. Consider how Jesus used the Word when He was tempted by Satan; each attack was repelled by wielding the sword of Scripture.

The Old Testemant is full of verses and stories about God fighting the battles, and God securing the victories. The New Testemant is not different; Jesus, too, is on the offesnive for our behalf. Even as He is being crucified, hanging on the cross, He is crushing the enemy.

Consider Hebrews 2:14 “Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—”

Colossians 2:15 “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.”

1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

One crucial point to remember—especially during an election season, but also in all of life—is that humanity is not our enemy. There should be no "us vs. them." Even when others sin against us, we are called to respond with hopeful prayer, grace, and patience. Jesus teaches this in Matthew 5:44 where he says “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

In a sense, although we sin by nature and by choice, we are also victims of a curse inherited from our first parents, Adam and Eve. Conflict between humans is a result of the fall; it is not what we were created for. Jesus died not only to reconcile humanity with God but also to reconcile humanity with one another. One day, we will experience full, unbroken fellowship in the light—with God and also with each other.

f humanity is not our enemy, then who is? Paul, other biblical writers, and even Jesus remind us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12). These “cosmic powers” and “spiritual forces” aren’t just abstract threats; they manifest in real, tangible ways.

While I can’t provide an expansive teaching here, I suggest that behind many tyrannical governments, unjust structures, and oppressive systems are invisible, demonic principalities driving things behind the scenes. We may not fully understand how this works practically, but the biblical narrative affirms it. For example, the gods—or principalities—behind Pharaoh’s oppressive reign in Egypt were real spiritual entities, not mere figments of imagination. Exodus 12:12 explicitly states that God’s judgment through the plagues was against the gods of Egypt: “On all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord.” The Egyptian magicians' ability to replicate some of Moses’ signs further indicates a genuine spiritual power at work (Exodus 7:11, 22; 8:7).

From a theological perspective, just as Judas was deceived and influenced by Satan, Pharaoh’s hardened heart, despite witnessing God’s signs, can be seen as a mix of personal rebellion and demonic influence over him and the Egyptian system. These forces aim to divide, deceive, and oppress. Yet remember: Christ has already disarmed them! As we put on God’s armor and stand firm, we’re not merely resisting evil; we’re defending the integrity of God’s kingdom, pushing back darkness with truth, love, and justice.

So, what does it mean to be a soldier in the army of God? And when we pray for strength, what are we asking to be empowered to do?

In essence, it’s this: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as yourself. A soldier of God is someone humbly apprenticing under Jesus, carefully watching His steps, and diligently following after Him on His narrow path. This soldier fights to become a more truthful, righteous, peaceable, and faithful follower of the King; daily crucifying the flesh, daily taking off the old man and putting on the new man. They seek to not only share but to embody the good news that the kingdom of God has come through Jesus. Co-laboring with the Spirit, they lay the next brick in God’s kingdom, fighting against oppression and injustice while pursuing mercy, liberation, and love. They lay down thier time, talents, money, preferences, and even their lives for the good of others.

In light of this, as I think about a call to action, the focus wouldn’t be on advancing God’s kingdom, but maybe moreso on defending its gates. Remember that God has already secured the victory through Christ, so we are not fighting for victory, but from it. God was on the offensive and now we’re on the defensive. When we engage in acts of love and justice, we are holding the line against the tyrannical powers of hatred and oppression. Each act of grace and mercy serves as a defense, pushing back against the darkness that seeks to infiltrate and harm.

Here are some practical things to pursue:

Pray as Your First Line of Defense: Use prayer not only to strengthen yourself but to reinforce the boundaries of God’s kingdom against spiritual attacks. Pray for peace, justice, and the defeat of evil in every corner of your community.

Be a Peacemaker: As a defender of God's kingdom, strive to restore broken relationships, both in your personal life and in the broader world. Your efforts to bring reconciliation actively hold back the forces of division.

Pursue Justice with Courage: Every act of justice—whether it’s standing up for the marginalized, speaking truth to power, or providing for the oppressed—is a spiritual defense against the forces of hatred and oppression. Your pursuit of justice is preserving the integrity of God’s kingdom.

Live Out the Gospel Boldly: Share the hope of Christ in both word and deed, demonstrating the protective power of the gospel against the darkness that seeks to prevail.

And finally, think about this: each piece of the armor God gives us isn’t meant to add more burden, but to equip us to hold the line. The belt of truth wraps around you, securing you in a world that constantly shifts and deceives. The breastplate of righteousness shields your heart, guarding the core of who you are. The shoes of peace give you steady footing, even when the ground beneath you seems unstable. The shield of faith is not just for defense—it’s a reminder of God’s unshakeable promises. The helmet of salvation is a tangible declaration of who you are in Christ, no matter what the accuser whispers. And the sword of the Spirit—God’s Word—is your assurance, the truth that cuts through every lie of the enemy.

And remember, you do not stand alone. In verse 18, Paul calls us to persevere in prayer for one another. You are part of a family of believers who are praying for you, struggling alongside you, and defending God’s kingdom with you. You are not just holding a position; you are carrying a legacy.

Every week, as we approach the Eucharist, we remember the saints who have gone before us—those who have partaken of God’s grace throughout the ages. These were men and women wholly devoted to Christ, living faithfully even when it cost them everything. Many were mocked, beaten, ridiculed, and even martyred for the sake of Jesus. Consider Stephen from Acts, Mother Teresa, C.S. Lewis, Dallas Willard, or anyone who has inspired and encouraged you in the faith. We stand on their shoulders, carrying the light of Christ that has been passed down through generations of the faithful.

This is your legacy to carry forward, too. Let it inspire you to live boldly, pray fervently, and love deeply, so that you may pass on this light to those who will come after you.

So, when you are tempted to give up, to retaliate, or to run away—don’t. Stand firm. When the world calls you to hate, to despair, to divide—stand firm. When you’re exhausted and can’t take another step—stand firm. And when the enemy seems to have the upper hand, remember that God’s strength is made perfect in your weakness. You are clothed in His armor, empowered by His Spirit, and surrounded by His love.

You may feel weak, but God is strong. You may feel small, but God is victorious. You may be tempted to strike back, but God calls you to hold fast, even in the face of evil. So, in this moment, recommit to standing firm—not with a clenched fist, but with open hands, lifted in surrender to Christ, who holds you, equips you, and fights for you. Pray, love, forgive, and trust—because the One who called you is faithful, and He will see you through to the end.

Amen.