A Call to Arms

Christians in America can easily become complacent and their faith can suffer shipwreck, all because they fail to understand the seriousness of the spiritual war they are engaged in. And yes, whether you realize it or not, you are engaged in a spiritual war, that is, if you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior.

But even those who understand and are willing soldiers of Christ, are helpless without God’s provision. And that is Paul’s point here when he tells us to “take up the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13a). Why? “That you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (v. 13b). God’s provision enables us to stand firm against Satan and the evil of the day.

This is important because the closer we walk with Jesus the greater the attack. Satan just ramps up his forces and keeps on coming, which is all the more reason to take this passage to heart and “take up the whole armor of God.” When you meet the spiritual challenges God sends your way, great opposition often arises. Paul told the Corinthians, “But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:8-9). “A great and effective door has opened”…But “there are many adversaries.”

This is a call to arms! The more you grow in faith and the closer you walk with Jesus, the harder Satan fights. We are in a spiritual war. That is why it is paramount that we understand five basic truths as we prepare to go into battle.

First, our strength is in the Lord. The theme of this passage is found in 1 Corinthians 16:13, which says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” So Paul’s final instructions to the believers in Ephesus is, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10). Our strength is in the Lord. Let Christ make you strong. As Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

Second, our armor is of God. Paul continued, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand” (Eph. 6:11a), or “stand firm” (NASB); “so that you can take your stand” (NIV). This is an absolute must for every believer. There is no survival apart from God’s provision. Satan is too strong for us, but not for Jesus. That is why it is so important that we do as Paul has directed and “put on” all of God’s “armor.” In the Greek, “put on” carries the idea of  permanence. We put on these attributes and we never take them off!

Third, our enemy is Satan. We are equipped with God’s armor so that we can stand firm “against the wiles (or “schemes,” NIV) of the devil” (v. 11b). That is something we cannot do without the Lord’s help. Just look around you. A strange thing is happening. Everywhere you go there is an ever-increasing disbelief in Satan. At the same time, demonic activity, involvement in the occult, and outright Satan worship, is also increasing. These things all play right into Satan's hands. Satan’s schemes must not be allowed to catch us unawares.

Fourth, our battle is against demons. Verse 12 contains a daunting truth for all ages: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Never underestimate the strength of the enemy. One of Satan's great schemes, an effective scheme that is a great danger for believers, is the delusion that there is no spiritual realm and therefore no seriously threatening conflict between good and evil. Do not fall for his trap. One look at verse 12 should make you shudder. The enemy is a mighty foe, but Jesus is mightier. He has already won the victory and has provided the armor needed to take your stand.

Fifth, our victory is to stand. “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (v. 13). God’s armor enables you to stand against the enemy and stand strong for Jesus. Put on all of the armor, take advantage of all of God’s provisions, and you will win the victory. Amen.