Where’s the Love?
Ephesians 6:10-17

 

Today we are exploring verses 10-17 of chapter 6 in Ephesians.  Because Jenifer does a fantastic, thorough job of helping us understand each piece of the armor of God, I did not feel there was a need for me to ‘re-teach’ this information.  Therefore, the following study guide is not taken from the book Dive Deeper, it is from my own study notes. 

You will want to be sure to complete the study guides in section six to get a comprehensive understanding of the armor of God and what each represents and how to use it.

Visualize

Read Ephesians 6 several times to get an overview of the entire chapter, then focus on verses 10-17

Investigate

• What is Paul telling us we need to do and why?
• How are we supposed to accomplish it?
• What are the tools we are to use to accomplish this task?

 

Define

Use Strong’s Concordance and/or a standard dictionary to define the following words:

• might
• stand/stand firm/firm
• schemes (Or wiles)

 

Embrace

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11

Paul closes out Ephesians with instructions on how to deal with the schemes of the enemy.

The first point he makes is for us to “be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might” (verse 10).   Then he tells us to put on an armor – a set of spiritual weapons – given by God.

But why?  Why is it important for us to even have these spiritual weapons?

The answer is found in verse 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. “

When we find ourselves being bombarded with tough circumstances, heartbreaking news, or disagreements with friends or family, we must realize who the real enemy is – our real enemy is not our spouse, our children, our boss, our friends, or other church members, our real enemy is satan.

If the enemy can misdirect our focus onto the people or circumstances around us as the source of our struggle, rather than clearly identifying him as the source of our problems, he can keep us distracted from our goals and purpose by keeping us fighting against them rather than against him.

This is not a fight with “flesh and blood” it is a spiritual fight.

So, how do we fight “against the schemes of the devil” (vs.11)?

Paul tell us two things we should do in a spiritual fight:

• Stand firm (vs 11)
• Pray (vs 18)

I can hear some of you thinking, “Really?!  That’s it?!  We aren’t supposed to come out with guns blazing and arms waving?”

Nope. 

Exodus 14:14 says: “The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” (NASB) and Deuteronomy 3:22 says: “You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.” (ESV)

All that is required of us is to stand firm –  (histemi) securely in place; established; to be kept intact.

How do we stand firm?  What allows us to not be moved? 

In verse 10, Paul tells us to be strong in God’s might. 

The greek word for might is (Ischus) – ability.  We can stand strong because we are confident in God’s ability to handle the circumstances occurring in our lives.

Next, Paul lists for us the weapons of spiritual warfare – the armor of God.  This equips us to stand securely and established in:

• Truth
• Righteousness
• Peace
• Faith
• Salvation
• Word of God

To fight the schemes of the devil, we just have to stand firm in God’s truth, our rightness through Christ, having peace in God’s ability to fight for us, faith that God will do what He says in His Word, confidence in our salvation – we are children of God, and use the Word of God – Scripture – to combat the lies of the enemy and remind him of God’s truth.

Now that we know how to fight the devil’s schemes, what exactly is a scheme?

Strong’s Concordance defines scheme as (methodeia) deceit; but methodeia is a compound word derived from (meta) with, after, behind and (hodeuo) travel, journey.

Satan’s method of attack on the life of a Christian is to deceive us with lies into traveling or journeying with or after his lies and away from the path of truth God is asking us to walk. 

The enemy wants to pull us away from our calling and purpose in life.  He knows he can only do that by pulling us away from God and His truth. 

This is why Paul tells us to stand firm!

Do. Not. Move. from the place God is asking you walk.

We are to plant our feet firm in the truth of God’s Word and confidence which brings peace in God’s ability to fight for us.

Paul adds one more weapon to our arsenal in fighting against the lies of the enemy – prayer.

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert…” Ephesians 6:18 (NASB)

The greek word for prayer in this verse is (proseuche) – a prayer addressed to God;  a place set apart for the offering of prayer

This truth sits down on my heart as I recall how Jesus would often retreat to Himself, alone, and pray.

“After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.” Matthew 14:23 (NASB)

Also see:

• Mark 1:35; 6:46
• Luke 5:16; 6:12; 22:41-44
• John 6:15

Jesus knew, and was our example, of how to defeat the enemy – set apart a time and place to meet with God in prayer. 

If we are going to defeat the deceit, we must plant our feet! 

Stand firm, confident in God’s ability to fight for us, and set ourselves apart from the chaos of the day and meet with God in earnest prayer.

Share your Wow moment from Ephesians 6:10-18

Are you feeling defeated because of lies from the enemy? What schemes are you battling today?  Let’s spend time in prayer, not just for ourselves, but for each other.  Share your prayer request(s) in the comments below.

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