Ephesians 6:10-17 – The Spiritual God

Key Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10-17

Church, here we are at the end of our journey through Ephesians. Paul has taken us through the glories of adoption, the wonders of predestination, the riches of God’s grace, and the power of Christ’s resurrection. Now he closes with this charge: the Armor of God.Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11).

You may think this ending feels a bit odd after all the deep doctrine. But Paul has been dealing with the very real sins and struggles that start in the heart and spill out into our marriages, our families, and our church. Now he pulls back the curtain and shows us the unseen reality behind it all.

We Live in an Age That Denies the Unseen

We live in a very anti-immaterial age. If something can’t be weighed, measured, or explained by science, many dismiss it. The stars that once filled our grandparents with wonder are now just burning gas. The great lake beside our town is reduced to glacial formation and water depth. We have dulled ourselves to spiritual realities.

But the Ephesians didn’t have that problem. They lived under the shadow of the massive Temple of Artemis — one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Magic, idols, processions, and occult practices were everywhere. When the gospel came, new believers burned their magic books worth fifty thousand pieces of silver. They knew the powers were real.

This is the world Paul writes to. And brothers and sisters, it’s the world we still live in.

The Real Battle

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 6:12)

Church, hear this: your real enemies are not your spouse, your children, your boss, or your neighbor. The battle is spiritual. And you cannot fight spiritual battles with natural strength.

“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”

This is not self-help. This is not pumping yourself up. This is supernatural strength — the same power that raised Christ from the dead. You do not generate it. You receive it. When you are weak, then you are strong, because His power rests on you.

This is the only strength that will help you love your wife when she is difficult, submit to your husband when he fails, raise your children in the fear of the Lord, and stand against the spirit of this age.

The Full Armor of God

Therefore, take up the full armor of God. Every piece. Daily. By faith.

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth.
Your mind and affections must be bound tight by the truth of Scripture. Know the Word. Memorize it. Let it correct every lie the world and the devil throw at you.

Having put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Not your righteousness — Christ’s. When the accuser whispers “Look what you did,” you answer: “It is not my righteousness. It is Christ’s.”

Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Be ready to move. Carry the good news of peace with God into your home, your workplace, your campus, and your town.

Taking up the shield of faith.
With it you will extinguish every flaming arrow — doubt, fear, lust, pride, anxiety. Lift it and say, “God has said it. Christ has done it. I believe.”

Take the helmet of salvation.
Guard your mind with the sure hope that you are already saved, you are being saved, and one day you will be fully saved.

And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
This is your only offensive weapon. Preach it. Read it. Sing it. Pray it. Obey it.

How We Actually Put It On

This armor is put on chiefly through the ordinary means of grace:

1. The Preaching and Hearing of the Word — Come hungry on the Lord’s Day. Take notes. Talk about it at dinner. Fathers, lead your families in it.
2. The Right Administration of the Sacraments — Baptism marks you as God’s. At the Lord’s Table, Christ feeds you with Himself. This is nourishment for warriors.
3. Prayer — Real prayer. Long prayer. Husbands, lead your families in it. Church, covet one another’s prayers.

Husbands, you must lead. Wives, support that leadership. Parents, do not hand your children over to the world’s catechism. Make your household a little garrison of grace.

Church, This Is Not Theory

The evil day is here. The powers have not retreated. But greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.So I charge you:

• I will not neglect the assembling of the saints.
• I will avail myself of every means of grace.
• I will lead my family (or submit to that leadership).
• I will come to the Table hungry.
• I will pray — really pray.

Put on the full armor of God. Stand firm. Resist the devil. Advance with the gospel of peace. And when you have done everything — stand.Because the armor is God’s. The strength is the Lord’s. And the victory was won at the cross.