Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:10-13)
We live in a dangerous and hostile world. There are many today who are armed and dangerous. It seems like only yesterday when we watched via our television screens the night sky over Baghdad illuminated with missiles and anti-aircraft fire. It was an incredible sight, and a horrifying one.
There is, however, a scene being played out in every corner of the world much like that one. The only difference is that this scene takes place in the invisible realm of the spiritual world. Although we can experience its effects, this battle can rage on undetected by many.
You see, there are armies armed for battle that are not of this earth. While the fourth largest army in the world has been neutralized, and the threat of the Soviet Union eliminated, and the fear of nuclear holocaust reduced, there is a much more dangerous enemy with whom we must contend. This is no new foe. This enemy has been around since the beginning of time. And in this conflict there is more at stake than there was in all our wars combined.
Because our enemy is armed and dangerous, we must learn how to be armed and dangerous ourselves. This is the battle that counts. This is the battle we must make certain we win. It is the spiritual battle against the demonic forces of Hell.
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. (6:12)
As Christians, we must struggle with God's enemy. Too many saints fail to understand that we are engaged in mortal combat. We are in a warfare which is very real and upon which not only our spiritual welfare but the welfare of others depends.
Our fight is not against humans; for our struggle is not against flesh and blood. The warfare we wage is against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Our struggle is against Satan and his demonic hordes.
Are you aware that we are in a life and death struggle against the demonic powers which operate this world? Did you know that there is a demonic hierarchy, much like a military or governmental organization, which is even now in place, organized to promote the agenda of Satan himself? It is true! When our text speaks of rulers, powers, and forces it is referring to the organizational structure of Satan's hierarchy. The word which is translated “world forces” is kosmokratoras. A more recognizable anglicized rendering would be cosmocrats. Many, like Professor F. F. Bruce, think that these terms refer to the hierarchy of fallen angels. One cosmocrat could have been the angel-prince of Persia who hindered the angelic messenger sent to Daniel. In Daniel 10:12-13 we read that the angel said to Daniel, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.”
The demonic cosmocrats of Satan's army are deployed everywhere in our culture. They infiltrate every segment of society, both secular and ecclesiastical. They have but one purpose: to destroy God's work. Their attack takes many forms. They attack God's work directly and indirectly. They are after you and your walk with God. They are after your family and your relationships with others. They attack you through your emotions and your circumstances. And they do not sleep. It is a very real and personal struggle. In our own strength we are over-matched.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Have you not personally felt the onslaught of Satanic attack in your life? This is our problem. This is our warfare.
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. (6:10)
Because we struggle against God's enemy, we must walk in God's strength. The discomforting thing about our spiritual warfare is that we are terribly over-matched.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Luther understood that the Christian is over-matched. Be careful not to be presumptuous and think that you can whip the devil. You can't even whip one of his subordinates. This is why we are exhorted to be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
The order here is clear. We are first to be strong in the Lord. Our focus must always first be on Jesus. We must cultivate our relationship with Him. Until we have taken care of that, nothing else will do. Cultivate your personal relationship with Jesus.
Then you are able to operate in the strength of his might. The power of God comes from a relationship with God. We will only be able to face the challenge of the spiritual warfare we fight if we are filled with God's strength.
In Isaiah 40:31 we read, “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” The idea expressed in this passage is that those of us who wait upon the Lord will exchange our strength for His. This is what we must have if we are to fight successfully.
Put on the full armor of God, that your may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (6:11)
Not only must we walk in God's strength, we must put on God's armor. The armor of God, which we will address later, is our protection. We must put on the full armor of God for a very important reason. This armor will enable us to be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Satan is not simply sitting idly by. Neither is he randomly going about his work. He is not only ultimate evil; he is ultimate evil with a plan. Satan has many schemes. He is organized and prepared to discourage and frustrate every effort we might undertake for Jesus. He is an intelligent being, and he is out to kill and destroy. How do we combat his plans? How do we stand against his schemes?
We must be clothed in the armor of God. Only God can protect us. Only God can empower us. The right armor and the right weapons must come from God. We dare not fight with weapons of our own choosing, nor do we dare to leave ourselves exposed to his attacks.
We must clothe ourselves with the armor of truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Only then will we be prepared to stand.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (6:13)
Not only must we walk in God's strength, and put on God's armor, but we must stand in God's victory. Our call is to stand firm. Now that we have appropriated God's strength, put on God's armor, we may stand in the victory which is ours in Christ Jesus.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
The battle is not ours, it is the Lord's. In reality, He has already won the victory. We simply must stand in that victory. We must recognize who we are in Christ. We must recognize the power of the Church, the Body of Christ. This is the Church of which Jesus spoke when He said, “Upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.” The Church is more powerful than the gates of Hell. The Church of Jesus Christ, not merely the organizations called churches, is the mystical, mighty army of God.
In C.S. Lewis' book, The Screwtape Letters, a senior devil named Screwtape is instructing a junior devil on how to tempt and trap humans. He says, “One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see her spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners. That, I confess, is a spectacle which makes our boldest tempters uneasy. But fortunately it is quite invisible to these humans.” We must understand the power of the risen Lord in His true church. We must ask God to help us see the invisible. The army of God is truly on the march, and you are a part of that army. We must stand firm. Let Satan do his worst. “The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure.” We are privileged to stand in the victory of Christ.
So, take courage! Fight the fight of faith. Although the enemy is armed and dangerous, so are we. And we also have all the mighty angelic warriors battling for us.
From Heaven's fortress the mighty armies of the Lord of Hosts array themselves for battle. These angelic warriors with their flashing swords and brilliant armor surge forth in battle array against the host of Hell. As the army of God's Church on earth falls to its knees and as the prayers of the saints ascend heavenward the battle is engaged. The struggle ensues. One foe after another is pierced through by the awesome power of the mighty God. These invisible, supernatural creatures groan in intense struggle with the souls of men and women hanging in the balance. But God's Word is sure. The gates of Hell absorb blow after crushing blow as the mighty phalanx of God's soldiers burst upon it. First the gates are buffeted, then they begin to groan under the mighty surge, and finally they crumble under the onslaught of this army of God. It is the Church, terrible as an army with banners. This is our destiny. The shout of victory fills the air. “All hail King Jesus! All hail Emmanuel! King of kings, Lord of lords, Bright Morning Star. Through all eternity I'll sing your praises. And I'll reign with You throughout eternity.”
Remember saints, the Church is armed and dangerous.
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