Spiritual Warfare Eph 6:10-20 https://youtu.be/3C_7U5rWKGU
Introduction
Ephesians 1-5 testifies of the great plan of God to head up everything, earthly and heavenly, in Jesus. this must be so because Jesus is human as well as divine. In Ephesians 6 we are informed this plan is bitterly contested by supernatural beings whom the apostle calls “rulers, authorities, cosmic powers over this present darkness, spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (6:12 cf. 1:21; 3:10)[1]. Whilst scripture isn’t interested in analysing the origin and abilities of these dark forces[2], in scripture they are the real power behind all false worship (Deut 32:16-17; 1 Cor 8:4; 10:19-21). Demonic power moved was the driving force behind the worship of ancient gods and is behind Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and the secular humanist ideologies of today[3]. Like it or not, the Church is engaged in a spiritual conflict with vast evil powers and on the surface, it looks like we are losing. When, for instance, was the last time we had an adult baptism here? This onslaught is so insidious it has influenced even the way we have understood Ephesians 6:10-20 which is the classic biblical passage on spiritual warfare[4]. For example, on the way into the men’s toilet in a big Evangelical Church in this city is a large poster of a Roman soldier clothed in full battle gear[5]. This mindset is closer to that local congregation than to what Paul teaches.
Exposition
v.10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
It is foundational that we notice that Paul’s exhortations are directed to the Church in Ephesus[6], and not primarily to individuals. The clearest way to illustrate that it is the Church as-a-community that puts on the armour of God is “the shield of faith”. Ancient armies understood that the most effective means of protection was when their soldiers formed a shield wall or a “dome/tortoise”[7] so that each man protected his neighbour with his shield. A church where every member prays for every other member presents a shield of faith to the devil which confounds his accusations and deceptions, what Paul calls his “flaming darts”.
In this verse Paul multiplies terms of power to magnify what is available “in the Lord” (cf. Eph 3:20). The “Lord” here is the all-conquering crucified and resurrected Jesus. Our position “in Christ” is the key to all that follows. When we are encouraged to “fasten on the belt of truth” we remember that Jesus said, “I am the Truth” (John 14:6)[8]. Putting on the “breastplate of righteousness” amounts to trusting that Christ is our righteousness (1 Cor 1:30; Phil 3:9)[9], walking in the “gospel of peace” involves sharing in the supernatural peace[10] in which Jesus walked, which he Christ promised his followers[11] and which terrorised the demonic powers of his own day[12]. As to the “shield of faith”, Jesus is “the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Heb 12:2)[13] who grants us inner empowerment (Eph 3:16-17) to resist depressive thoughts and anxious states. The “helmet of salvation” means trusting that our reconciliation to God is permanent and undoable, so guilt and shame have no proper place in us[14]. Evil forces will put potentially destructive thoughts into your mind regularly.[15] This week I was on Zoom with who he mentioned his wife had a degenerative back condition, which means he has to do all the housework plus his own job. I knew straightaway Satan would be telling her she was a burden and not a blessing[16] and so I prayed for her thoughts to be cleared up in Jesus’ name.
When Paul says, “11 Put on the whole armour of God”, he is drawing on an Old Testament tradition that God himself has weapons like righteousness and salvation[17]. The armour is God’s with which he clothes us in Christ[18] that we might have strength “to stand against (Gk: pros) the schemes of the devil.” This is the most common posture (6x) in this passage. We must intentionally resist all Satanic plots[19]. A potent example of standing against the devil comes from our own history.
In 1942 as the Japanese descended on New Guinea the Anglican Bishop Philip Strong, who I was privileged to hear preach with fire and authority in 1982[20], sent this message to his clergy and missionaries, “One thing only I can guarantee is that if we do not forsake Christ here in Papua in His Body, the Church, He will not forsake us. He will uphold us; He will strengthen us and He will guide us and keep us though the days that lie ahead. If we all left, it would take years for the Church to recover from our betrayal of our trust. If we remain—and even if the worst came to the worst and we were all to perish in remaining—the Church would not perish, for there would have been no breach of trust in its walls, but its foundations and structure would have received added strength for the future building by our faithfulness unto death.” 12 of those who refused to abandon their villagers were bayoneted and beheaded and became known as “the New Guinea martyrs”
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
It’s easy to attack “flesh and blood”, but US president Jo Biden or Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews aren’t the real problem. See what is happening spiritually, look behind the Taliban and pray against the “world powers of this present darkness”. If the world is getting worse one great reason is the failure of the Church to pray with spiritual authority[21].
The one clear offensive weapon in Paul’s list is to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17). This doesn’t mean merely to quote the Bible[22] or to use it as a charm, fetish or talisman[23]. It means to use the scriptures like Jesus did[24] by taking them into our hearts[25] so we speak and pray them with assured authority against the lies of the devil. “The word of God” here is especially the gospel message (Rom 10:17)[26] communicated in the power of the Spirit[27].
Conclusion
The devil has consistently deceived the Church by turning her eyes to political influence[28], ideology, individual effort and anything else he can so that she loses her focus on…Jesus. The essence of spiritual warfare isn’t the production of manuals to do with warfare praying but being clothed with the glorious new humanity of the all-victorious Christ[29]. This is emphasised by the fact that the two most common elements of the spiritual struggle are “standing” (vv.13-14) and “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (v.18) where no physical weapon is named. The centre of victorious spiritual conflict is to abide in Jesus through intentional conscious dependence on him which gives no ground to the devil (John 14:30; Eph 4:26-27). As Christians we are called to arm one another in prayer. As fellow soldiers (Phil 2:25; Phm 2) we need to help one another to put on Christ (Rom 13:14; Gal 3:27)[30]. There is only one conflict[31] throughout the ages and the whole Church throughout the whole world is continuously engaged in it. Do you really think brothers and sisters that the evil powers so obviously ascendant in Afghanistan are essentially different from those degrading our culture?? Do not be deceived the powers of evil are at work in your city, your neighbourhood, your street and working to break into your household.
In comfortable WA we may seem to be shielded from the dark forces assaulting the peace of society sowing fear and mental illness globally[32] through the current pandemic, but we must be aware not be lulled into deception about the real spiritual state of affairs. Let’s not passively accept guilt, shame, depression, despair, anxiety, fits of anger or any other thing as natural. Since in our new identity in Christ we are no longer following the devil (Eph 2:2) they are no longer natural. Through the gospel we can offer those tyrannised by evil forces hope and immortality (2 Tim 1:10). The climax of this whole passage in Ephesians is in fact when Paul asks for prayers to boldly proclaim Christ even though he is chained for the gospel (6:19-20). It is time to awake spiritually, for the powers of this present darkness are more frightened of what Christ might release through us the Church[33] than we should be afraid of them and their deeds[34]. It’s time for the people of Christ to operate with boldness and without hindrance in the service of God’s gospel (Acts 28:30-31)[35] revealing the inevitable victory of his Christ-centred final plan (Eph 1:9-10) so comprehensively expounded in Ephesians.
[1] The New Testament never attempts to categorise these powers in a systematic way, to do this would itself be a deception.
[2]To find the origin of the devil in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 is contentious, and certainly the notion that a fixed number of human beings will be saved to replace the fallen angels (St. Anselm) is pure speculation.
[3] This may not be obvious, for as an experienced “exorcist” once remarked, “Demons are like mice, they’re everywhere but rarely seen.” Wherever the name “Jesus” is marginalised we see demonic influence.
[4] What Paul calls “strongholds” and “lofty opinions” (2 Cor 10:4-5) introduced into our hearts and minds by the evil one shape how we expound this passage.
[5]Like: https://www.biblewaymag.com/spiritual-warfare-have-you-put-on-the-whole-armor-of-god/
[6] See also my earlier teaching on “be filled with the Spirit” and Paul’s insistence that we are “one new humanity” (Eph 2:15) .
[7] https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Testudo_formation
[8] Demons are not the least impact by abstract philosophical truth but are intimidated by the truth of our identity in Jesus (Eph 4:21).
[9] And so we are guiltless (2 Cor 6:7).
[10] Cf. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”” (Isa 52:7)
[11] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27)
[12] Because it was a manifestation of God’s eternity; “And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”” (Matt 8:29).
[13] Much like the lord himself said to Abram, ““Fear not, Abram, I am your shield” (Gen 15:1).
[14] The tenses in this passage are all in the perfect, a state of completion once and for all. “by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:5-8)
[15] See for example Matt 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8; John 13:2; Acts 5:3
[16] In the light of “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2).
[17] “with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips she shall kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins….He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.” (Isa 11:4-5; 59:17)
[18] This truth is a subset of the larger one, “The story is not our story with a role for Christ. The story is Christ’s story with roles for us. ” (R. Jenson).
[19] 2 Cor 2:10-11 is an excellent example, “Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.”
[20] When he was 83 and I was 31 or so.
[21] John has perspective, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19); “the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world” (Rev 12:9).
[22] Like the devil can (Matt 4:5), compare the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19:11-16).
[23] As the Indigenous people of central Australia might do, placing the Bible on their head to cure a headache.
[24] With authority in the wilderness (Matt 4:4, 7, 10), the very opposite of the Israelites who rejected the divine word of promise and could not enter into the Promised Land due to unbelief (Heb 3:7-4:13).
[25] “Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Anglican Collect)
[26] E.g. Luke 3:2; 5:1; 8:11; Acts 11:1; 13:7; 18:11; Col 1:25; Heb 13:7; Rev 1:2, 9.
[27] “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and min the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” (1 Thess 1:4-5).
[28] Exposed, for example, in the activities of “The Clan” in branch stacking electorates in Perth. Its key members are all committed Christians, many of whom I have met personally.
[29] Such as outlined here, “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,5 to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:12-13).
[30] “Paul never mentions anything in this passage about fighting the devil. He only tells the church…to put on Christ and then just stand inside of Him….we are to live by His life and not our own.” (Milt Rodriguez)
[31] “it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” (Phil 1:30). This is the premise of the whole of Revelation.
[32] Today’s Weekend Australian newspaper has a front-page heading, Pandemic’s teen mental health crisis worse than feared.
[33] Consider the scenario in Revelation 12.
[34] As the brilliance of a rainbow shines best when set behind a dark cloud so it is with the glory of God through the Church in dark times, like today (Eph 3:10 cf. http://cross-connect.net.au/about/cross-connect-vision/).
[35] In a “post-intimidation” space and time.