Life IS a spiritual battle. There is ALWAYS the desire to be helpful and orderly, opposed to the desire to be harmful and chaotic. This “tug of war” leads to what can best be described as a “battle within ourselves.” Ephesians 6 details some of the “spiritual gear” that we may utilize in this battle. And lest the “feminine energy dominant” think that these defenses are “not for you”, think again. EVERY ONE of us needs these defenses.
In a physical conflict the unarmored individual is usually at a disadvantage, so the warrior uses gear to protect their physical bodies. This analogy of a physical warrior’s armor applies to the individual who would similarly protect their spiritual selves. The focal passage is Ephesians 6:10-18.
The first step mentioned is to “be strengthened.” The verb means we must allow ourselves to be strengthened by an external force or person. We acknowledge our own weaknesses and invite Spiritual power into our lives. Availing ourselves of the strength of Spirit is the only way we can defend ourselves in the spiritual battles of life. Every spiritual resource needed for spiritual battles can be drawn from the inexhaustible strength of the ONE.
In the middle of physical battle, soldiers are always prepared. They suit up before the conflict begins. Once the battle is underway, it’s too late to start putting on gear.
This holds true for spiritual warfare. If we put on the full armor provided for spiritual battles and keep it ever at hand we will be better defended than if we run naked into a war zone.
We are encouraged to clothe ourselves with this godly armor so that we can stand against the opposition – every opposer, opponent, or adversary who would throw us off of our Spiritual track or prevent us from living up to Spirit’s directives.
This is not an ordinary battle. The language use describes a wrestling match supernatural (Spiritual) ones. Two adversaries struggling in hand-to-hand combat like two wrestlers swaying back and forth trying to take the other one down to the mat.
The author of Ephesians affirmed these supernatural forces are in the heavens. These forces exert their power in what could be called the celestial realm. It is difficult to identify exactly who these forces are, but one thing is sure: there are great forces struggling against the order of the ONE in favor of the chaos of something less than the ONE.
In verse 13 of this passage the author stressed again the necessity to take up the full suit of armor. There is one subtle difference between the verbiage of verse 11 and verse 13. In verse 11 a word that means “to be clothed in” is used. In verse 13 the word used means “to take up or assume.”
Verse 11 might carry the concept of “have it at hand and be ready to use it” while in verse 13 the concept is “the battle is here, put on your gear and stand firm.” Like a fireman, we are to be ever ready to don our gear at any time we need to spring into action. Like a soldier on the front lines we need to already be in our gear and ready to engage in the struggle.
Next let’s look at each piece of gear that protects us against our spiritual opposition. The foundational layer is our clothing. Genesis 3:21 demonstrate that after man and woman told God that they “saw that they were naked”, and remembering that naked means unconcealed, God made clothing from skins…and clothed them.
Truth, like a belt, is one of the most essential elements of the soldier’s attire. It was not ornamental or decorative but served an important purpose. When a soldier tightened his belt, several things would happen. The tunic would be cinched up so it wouldn’t impede his running ability in battle. Tightening the belt would also serve to secure the sword. A soldier’s belt held everything in its place, and he was useless as a fighter without it.
The belt is likened to truth. It is truth that holds the spiritual armor in place, preventing unnecessary and costly entanglements. Without this belt, we have no chance in spiritual battle. Without the truth we are unprepared, unclothed, and unable to oppose an adversary who would tell us “you are doomed.”
SECOND, around our core, we put on armor that protects our vital organs, our heart, our breath. This armor is RIGHT ACTION (righteousness). Take right action to protect your heart and vital organs.
The spiritual lesson is quite obvious. Spiritual believers encountering opposition see the enemy shoot wave after wave of burning arrows at them to try to inflame their environment. These can be temptations, lusts, deceptions, or any number of things to distract them from the goal. But the spiritual believer has been equipped with a shield of faith to easily thwart these attacks. The shield not only diverts the arrows, but extinguishes them. Other believers may incorporate their shields with yours to build a shield wall that protects a group of believers.
There are two more pieces to Spiritual armor. The author urged us to take the helmet of salvation. The verb used here means “to receive” or “to accept.” Every other item in the soldier’s wardrobe would just be at hand for the soldier to pick up and strap on himself. The helmet and the sword would be handed to him by an armor-bearer, thus he would accept it from the hands of another.
FIFTH, We protect our heads--our brain, our consciousness, with an armored helmet--SALVATION.
For those who may be “triggered” by the word salvation, the word literally means to deliver from danger, to make safe and secure, to keep whole.
Salvation is the knowledge that we are saved from harm. I can tell you from Kendo experience, football experience and motorcycle experience, that a helmet gives you reduced stress when it comes to head or brain injuries during activities.
Roman helmets were usually bronze with leather attachments, although some were entirely made of leather. The helmet was placed on the head and had a band to protect the forehead and plates to cover the cheeks. It also extended down the back of the neck to provide protection there as well.
With truth, right action, preparation and readiness, faith, and protection, our possibilities for harm are greatly reduced.
SIXTH, we take up our sword--our offensive AND defensive weapon.
The Bible encourages us to be in a constant state of prayer as we daily prepare for the ongoing spiritual battle we face. Prayer is a necessary activity if we are to stand.
We are to pray in the Spirit, in the power of the Spirit, because we are in such an intimate relationship with Spirit that Spirit will help us in our prayers by showing us what we ought to pray for. Praying in the Spirit gives strength when we feel we can’t continue.
We are also directed to stay alert. We have to be on constant vigil, because the attacks do not let up. The best way that I know of to stand alert is to strive, at all times, to forget the attacks of the adversary and always remember the teaching, training, and lessons provided by the ONE.
Focus on where you WANT to be; Ignore where you do not want to be, give it NO mental energy.
Finally, this passage encourages us to pray with perseverance and intercession for our Spiritual siblings.
We have Spiritual brothers and sisters who are growing weary and tired of the battle. Some may be ready to give up altogether, so we must pray for them with laser focus. We need both the ONE’s direction and fervent prayer to overcome the adversarial distractions and the onslaughts.
We are NOT ALONE in standing against temptation.
- We have available both an offensive and defensive arsenal.
- We have Spiritual siblings with which to stand against temptation.
- We have training and wisdom offered to us for instruction, some of which you will find right here in this SOW blog.
- We have Spirit to guide and comfort us.
We DO have the strength to stand against temptation.