First Christian Church

By Bruce Humes

Pastor

In Ephesians 6:10-11, the apostle Paul wrote, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Paul instructs the believers in Ephesus to prepare for a battle by dressing appropriately. When a soldier prepares for a physical battle, he clothes himself in the appropriate protective gear to protect his body and arms himself with weapons for war. The battle the Ephesian believers were entering wasn’t a physical battle, but a spiritual one against the devil and his scheming.

Verse 12 explains the spiritual battle, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.”

To win this battle, Christians must first “be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might” and to “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, having done all to stand.”

Paul continues in verses14-17 with what is equivalent to a military command: “Therefore stand, having girded your waist with truth (tie up all the loose ends that might hinder us during the battle), having put on the breastplate of righteousness (a breastplate protects the torso, protecting vital organs such as the heart, righteousness is a Christian’s spiritual breastplate), and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.(A shield protects the whole body, and our shield is our faith.) And take up the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. (A helmet protects the head, Satan is a master at causing doubt and confusion in the mind of born again believers, the assurance of salvation for true believers is our helmet, and our weapon is the word of God.)” All the protective armor must be worn, so believers can be protected from the schemes of the devil.

Verse 18 says, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

Another weapon the Christian possesses is praying in the spirit. A weapon that I believe takes us back to “being strong in the Lord and the power of his might.” With prayer and supplication, Christians can call on the power of his might to protect believers through all the spiritual battles that the wicked one throws at us.

If you want to speak to someone at the church or have a need, call the church office at (562) 431-8810 and leave a message.