September 13, 2023

Ephesians 6:10-17

Welcome to Timeless Truth with Pastor Jim Thomas. In season 1, Pastor Jim is leading us in a study of Ephesians.  Today’s passage is Ephesians 6:10-17.

There are generally 3 positions people take on spiritual warfare:

1. Obsess over it Looking for demons under every rock. 
2. Ignore it These folks would go so far as to completely deny existence of devil/demons or trivialize it. 
3. Keep it in biblical perspective

The proper question is whether I believe in devils. I do. That is to say, I believe in angels and I believe that some of these, by the abuse of their free will, have become enemies to God and, as a corollary, to us. These we may call devils. They do not differ in nature from good angels, but their nature is depraved. Devil is the opposite of angel only as Bad Man is the opposite of Good Man. Satan, the leader or dictator of devils, is the opposite not of God but of Michael.”
– C. S. Lewis; The Screwtape Letters and Screwtape Proposes a Toast (1961)

The words of the devil are only recorded 3 times in the scriptures:

1. The first time, he questioned God before man/woman in Genesis. 
2. The second time he questioned man before God in Job chapter 1. 
3. The third time he questioned both in the ultimate God/Man, the Word become flesh, Jesus Christ Matthew 4: 1-11.

How is it possible to stand? Here are Paul’s instructions:

• Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might
• Put on and Take up the full armor of God Use the tools God has provided for you, that enable you to stand.

The armor of God includes at least six items:

1. Gird your loins with Truth. Wrap the truth around you like a belt that holds the rest of your outfit together. Like a Roman soldier’s utility belt held it all together.
2. Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness Guarding our “hearts”… The heart is the core and center of the human person. The seat of affections, desires, emotions, and remember, the heart is important because the heart will always make a convert of the head. The breastplate for a Christian is the righteousness of Christ, not a righteousness of our good works.
3. Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace Roman soldier’s boots had studs/cleats on the bottom. It was a great help when trying to cover any rugged terrain or any muddy terrain. Our Mission in life is to cover the rugged and/or muddy world with the message of peace with God through Jesus Christ. Stand don’t slip/slide.
4. Take up the Shield of Faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. 
5. Take the Helmet of Salvation Protects the mind, the battlefield. We guard the head for bicycle riding, motorcycle riding, construction sites etc. What about the battleground of our mind? What are we filling our minds with? 
6. The sword of the Spirit The only offensive item in this list is the Word of God.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
– Psalm 119:9-11