Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Ephesians 6:10)
As Paul was coming to the conclusion of his letter to the church in Ephesus, he made it very clear that the only way we can walk worthy of the calling with which you were called (Ephesians 4:1); put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man (Ephesians 4:22); be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another (Ephesians 4:32); be imitators of God as dear children (Ephesians 5:1); walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time (Ephesians 5:15-16); wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22); husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25); children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right (Ephesians 6:1); fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4); Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ (Ephesians 6;5); masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening (Ephesians 6:9) is in the Lord and in the power of His might.
We can not do any of these things of our own strength and power. Yes, we may be able to do some of it for a while, but we won't be able to continue for the long term, because most of these things don't come to us naturally. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. (I Corinthians 2:10) Through our love for God, faith in the Lord Christ Jesus, and the power of His Holy Spirit, Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. (Ephesians 6:11-12)
We've studied this many times before, but it bears being repeated. The devil is real, and he's real beautiful. (Ezekiel 28:11-19) The spiritual controls most of what we see happening in the physical. For example, you can't see the spirit, the breath of life in us, but the body without the spirit is dead. (James 2:26) Flesh, bones, blood, organs still present, but no spirit, dead body. Most people do not believe the gospel of Christ Jesus, those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (II Corinthians 4:3-4) They are allowing spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places to blind their minds.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (II Corinthians 11:13-15) The only way any of us can overcome is by studying the Word of God, praying in His Spirit and growing in our faith in the Lord Christ Jesus, becoming mature, of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)
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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:13-18)
God has equipped us with everything we need to be successful along this Christian journey and to navigate our way through the daily challenges of life. If we girded our waist with truth, we won't easily bend and be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting (Ephesians 4:14). If we put on the breastplate of righteousness, we will guard our hearts (Philippians 4:7). As we go from place to place, we must shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, taking the good news of the gospel of peace wherever we go. Wherever we go, we must take the shield of faith, Christ Jesus, For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
We must take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, that we will guard your ... minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7), and speak the Word of God boldly, For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) And finally, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication,... pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17).
After making sure that we who are Christians understand what we're dealing with in this world, but also what we have access to through faith in Christ Jesus, Paul concluded his letter, — and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. (Ephesians 6:19-22)
Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. (Ephesians 6:23-24) Next, Paul would write his letter to the church in Philippi...
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