*Ephesians 6:10-20
Paul uses the metaphor of armor to urge believers to draw strength from God to resist spiritual evil.
- Spiritual Strength and Armor:
- Paul encourages believers to draw strength from the Lord and His immense power.
- He advises them to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil’s schemes.
- The passage emphasizes that the struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.
- The armor of God is necessary for believers to stand their ground on the day of evil.
- Components of the Armor:
- Belt of Truth: Symbolizes sincerity and truthfulness, essential for the Christian’s defense against deception.
- Breastplate of Righteousness: Represents moral integrity and virtue, protecting one’s heart and emotions.
- Footwear of Peace: Signifies readiness and the spreading of the Gospel of peace, essential for stability and preparation.
- Shield of Faith: Enables believers to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one, representing trust and belief in God’s promises.
- Helmet of Salvation: Stands for hope and certainty in salvation, protecting the mind from doubts and fears.
- Sword of the Spirit: Described as the word of God, it is the only offensive weapon in the armor, used to confront and dispel falsehood.
- Prayer and Alertness:
- Believers are urged to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
- They are instructed to be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
- Paul requests prayers for himself as well, that he may declare the Gospel boldly as he ought to speak.