"Go to Battle"!

by Eldon D. DeBoer

"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." (Ephesians 6:1-12)

The title of this post is from my dear sister, Vi (written in the side margin of one of her Bibles), who is now with Jesus and whose life we celebrated on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Thanks for the challenge, Vi. May we "Go to Battle" and apply what follows today and every day.

The Lord Provides Spiritual Protection and Weaponry to Win Battles for Christ!

By God’s gracious provision, believers in Christ may possess the ability and the strength to engage the enemy in spiritual combat. Our ability to win victories in the spiritual battles we face is “in the Lord, and in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

When Paul was in prison in Rome he saw a lot of soldiers. In all likelihood, as he wrote Ephesians chapter 6, he was looking at a Roman soldier and his armor (cf. Ephesians 4:1).

Ephesians 6:10-17
"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.
11. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Stand firm therefore, 
(1) having girded your loins with truth, 
(2) and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, . . .
15. (3) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. in addition to all, 
(4) taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.
17. (5) And take the helmet of salvation, 
(6) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

God has provided spiritual armor for your protection as you engage in battle against the forces of darkness in the spiritual realm.

How are we “able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (6:10-11)? The answer is found where Paul begins: The only way we are able to stand firm is in the strength of the Lord. The Lord is the one who provides the armor and the strength and skill to defend against the devil’s schemes.

What is included in the “schemes (or “wiles” KJV) of the devil”?
"Schemes" is the translation of the original Greek meth-od-i'-ah (TDNT 5:102,666), which may also be rendered cunning, deceit, craft, or trickery. Compare in the KJV the use of methodiah in Ephesians 4:14, where it is translated “lie in wait” and also adds, “to deceive”.

How is it that our battles in life are “not against flesh and blood”?
Ultimately our spiritual warfare is waged against invisible forces of darkness who are behind the immediate and apparent causes of our battles. Yes, people can be unwittingly influenced and deceived by these forces of evil.

Our spiritual warfare is "against the rulers, ..." (some translations render this “principalities”). The rulers (arche) include those in the highest order or echelons of authority under the devil’s power and here refer to demons of the highest rank. These would be the generals of the demons, militarily speaking. The word may apply to human rulers (Tit 3:1), but here is with reference to demons. Arche is rendered “principalities” in Romans 8:38 (NASB).

Christ created the rulers (Col 1:16), He has authority over them (Col 2:10) and will defeat them all in the end (1 Cor 15:24; Col 2:15). They learn from believers of the church age (Eph 3:10; cp 1:21). Jude (v. 6) writes of demons who did not stay within their created order, “domain” (NASB). The NIV interprets it, “positions of authority”.

Our spiritual warfare is "... against the powers..."
These powers are demons of lesser rank who want to possess human beings (McGee, 5:279).

Our spiritual battles are also "...against the world forces of this darkness..." This designation possibly includes the devil himself (world forces (kos-mok-rat'-ore TDNT 3:913,466) lord of the world, prince of this age, the devil and his demons). Our spiritual warfare is also "...against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." This is a general description of all the invisible forces of darkness.

A second command is given in Ephesians 6:13:
We are to “ . . . take up the full armor of God, ...” so that we are "able to resist” the Lord's enemies.

The inspired apostle of Christ Jesus lists the defensive weaponry:

(1) God has provided the Belt of Truth (6:14).

God has provided the truth in His Word, the Bible. The Bible is His special revelation, given to you for your protection. Why would Paul begin with truth? The truth includes all that is revealed in God’s Word about God and His plan for man. Because of the truth God has revealed in the Bible we may know about righteousness, the gospel, faith and salvation. Therefore it is logical and understandable that the Spirit moved Paul to begin with truth.

Study Questions:

How does knowing truth from God’s Word help you in spiritual combat against the devil and his forces?

How do many in our post modern world view “truth”?

How may I become better equipped to counter false teachings from the forces of darkness?

There are many assumptions (which may be called presuppositions) in the first question that counter those of many in our world today. First, let me communicate that the Creator made and designed us so that we would have the ability to know the truth that He chose to reveal by special revelation. Satan the devil, the deceiver and slanderer, began his grossly misleading work against the human race back in the Garden of Eden when he began to question God's spoken word to Eve and Adam (Genesis 1 -3; cp. John 1:1-18). People continue to be deceived by the devil, his demons and other people who are often oblivious to the fact that they are pawns in their hands. So we must know the truth from God to counter all false teachers.

My recommendation is that you begin with the truth communicated by God through Jesus in the Gospel of John. It begins with what has been revealed through Jesus, the living Word, and continues with Jesus Himself proclaiming the truth, "I am... the truth" (John 14:6).

There is nothing more powerful and protective than using the words of Jesus to counter false teachers with the truth.

But maybe you are asking the question that David K. Clark asked, "Which religious teachings are true?" Clark's response to this question includes what follows:

"When answering the truth question, pluralism asserts that all religions teach truth, and exclusivism claims that only one religion teaches truth.

"But this is too vague. Obviously, all religions teach lots of things. Very probably, all religions teach some true things and some false things. So the truth question zeroes in on the most logically central questions, like What is the most basic metaphysical reality? What is the fundamental human religious problem? And what is the solution to that problem?

"Let's call a religion deeply true if it gets the right answers to these very central questions. For instance, Christianity says that the most basic reality is the Creator God (the Trinity). The deepest human problem is human moral failure (sin). Sin drives people far from God. The solution (salvation) is moral forgiveness through the death of Jesus. By the Spirit's power, a believer receives this forgiveness as a gift [through faith in Jesus Christ]. The gift of salvation places people in relationship with God. Now if these ideas really are true, then Christianity is deeply true. Even though every religion agrees with Christianity on some issues, they all contradict Christianity on these core questions. Since the various religions have rather different teachings on these central questions, only one religion could be deeply true..." (Clark, "Religious Pluralism and Christian Exclusivism," from the book, "To Everyone and Answer," edited by Francis J. Beckwith, William Lane Craig and J.P. Moreland, (IVP, 2004) pp. 294-295, brackets added).

In his chapter in "To Everyone an answer," Craig J. Hazen addresses the question of blind faith:

"Christian faith is not "blind faith," that is, it is not opposed to reason, evidence, logic or knowledge. In fact, the Apostle Paul allows no room for blind faith in a very provocative passage in 1 Corinthians. Paul wrote that if Christ did not rise from the dead, our faith is useless and futile (1 Cor 15:12-19). Here he locks together the resurrection of Christ, a knowable historical event--the truth of which can be determined through evidence and reason--with saving faith. He had a marvelous opportunity in this passage to decouple reason and faith. He could have encouraged us to have faith no matter what the evidence showed. But he did exactly the opposite. Paul confirmed if we have no valid resurrection, then we have no valid faith" (Hazen, "Defending the Defense of the Faith," p. 43).

The entire chapters by Hazen and Clark, and the entire book for that matter, "To Everyone an Answer," would be well worth reading for more complete answers to questions about truth and knowing truth--for those of you who are up to it!

God has provided the spiritual protection--His armor--and the weaponry to defeat the forces of darkness!

God has provided...

(2) The Breastplate of Righteousness Ephesians 6:14

Study Question: In what ways are we able to resist the forces of darkness with God’s provision of the spiritual “breastplate of righteousness”?

When we put our trust in Christ to deliver us from sin and Satan, we are placed in Christ and receive the righteousness of God in Him (position in Christ, cp. Ephesians 1:3-4). Through faith in Jesus Christ, you have received His righteousness which will protect you forever (Romans 8:31-39;
cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:8; cp. Titus 3:1-8).

Study Romans 4:1-8 and Galatians 2:16-21, which clarify that the righteous of Christ Jesus is received by faith in Him and faith in Him alone!

How does knowing the principles from these passages of Scripture protect us in spiritual combat?

Since we have been identified with Christ and are clothed in His righteousness, we are to present our bodies to God as instruments of righteousness in our walk with Christ. How does doing this protect us from the forces of darkness? cp. Luke 10:17-24

Related Question: In the context, what impact should knowing what Romans 6:23 states have upon us as believers in Christ? cp. Romans 7:15 - 8:1

(3) The Footwear of the Gospel of Peace Ephesians 6:15

The good news of deliverance from sin and death that gave you peace with God by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ will protect you wherever you go. Also, as you share the gospel and have the privilege of leading others to faith in Christ Jesus, you become instrumental in seeing to it that they have “feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (NIV). In the midst of the spiritual conflict you may be instrumental in bringing peace to the hearts of those who believe through your witness.

Study Question: How does having our spiritual combat boots on, standing in readiness with the good news of Christ help us resist in the evil times in which we live?

(4) The Shield of Faith Ephesians 6:16

Throughout your life here on earth, the devil is going to do his best to make you ineffective. He does not want you to win any spiritual battles for Christ. Your faith, your ongoing confidence in God and His Word, will protect you from his schemes (Eph 6:10-12; cf. 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Heb 11:6).

Never doubt that the Spirit of God will give you the strength you need. He will give you the power to defeat the enemy (cf. 1 John 4:4; 5:4; Rom 16:19-20).

Study Question: What can we do to insure that our faith remains strong?

(5) The Helmet of Salvation Ephesians 6:17

Deliverance from Satan, sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ will protect your life forever (Romans 8:30-39). Nothing and no one is able to separate you from the God’s love for you found in Christ Jesus.

Study Questions: How does knowing you are saved protect you against Satan’s schemes? Does the spiritual helmet of salvation protect us and also deliver us from Satan and sin in this life on earth now?

God has also provided the spiritual weapon for victory against evil enemies: 

The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God   (Ephesians 6:17)

There are five pieces of spiritual armor listed and this one weapon. This spiritual weapon is provided by the Spirit of God in the special revelation of the Bible. We are protected from the devil and his forces by truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith and salvation. God will give you the confidence to speak the truth to defeat the devil and all his soldiers. Keep on looking to the Lord to become more skillful in applying the truth throughout your lives (1 Timothy 6:12-16).

The sword, machaira (makh'-ahee-rah) in the Greek text, was used in close hand to hand combat in the days of Rome and could be up to about 18 inches in length, including the handle. There are primarily two kinds of swords mentioned in Scripture, the machaira and the much larger rhomphia (Rev 1:16; 2:12,16; 6:8; 19:15; Luke 2:35). A machaira was a dual purpose shorter sword also used for slaughtering animals. It was smaller than the Roman sword called a gladius which was also used in combat. The word machaira is derived from the noun makh'-ay meaning "a fight or a combat."

In the spiritual realm, believers in Christ can do a great deal of damage to the forces of darkness with the offensive weapon of God’s Word.

There is one other passage in the New Testament in which the Word of God is likened to a spiritual sword: Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (For a literal application, see Hebrews 11:34,37.)

How does the way “sword” is used in Hebrews 4:12 verse differ from the manner it is applied in Ephesians 6:17?

Someone stated that the Bible, the Word of God, is “an armory of heavenly weapons, a laboratory of infallible medicines, a mine of exhaust-less wealth. It is a guidebook for every road, a chart for every sea, a medicine for every malady, a balm for every wound. Rob us of our Bible, and our sky has lost its sun.”

Study Question: What are some specific ways that we can apply the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” in spiritual combat against the forces of darkness for the glory of Christ? (also cp. Rom 13:12; 2 Cor 6:7; 10:4; Jer 50:25)

Put on the armor of God with prayer.  (Ephesians 6:18-20)

"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

All the while you are engaging the enemy with your armor in place and with the sword of the Spirit, keep on praying. It is clear from the way the Apostle Paul wrote this in the original Greek text that the Spirit of God wanted us to understand this. Keep on talking with God about the battles He has called you and others to fight.

Notice that the Apostle Paul understood the need for prayer to courageously clarify the truth of the gospel of Christ.

Keep on remaining strong "in the Lord!" Use the armor that He has given to win spiritual battles against the devil and his cohorts for the glory of Jesus Christ.