Ephesians 6:10–13

Feb 24

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. ¹²For 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. ¹³Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything, to stand firm.

Focused Thinking: (Eph 6:10)

Why does Paul choose to end Ephesians this way?

Paul is telling us that it is a battle that is going to require strength.

Attending church doesn’t require strength; following Jesus requires strength.

My strength can’t stand up against the deceitfulness of the devil.
My strength can’t stand up against the temptations of the devil.
My strength can’t stand up against the schemes of the devil.
My strength can’t stand up against the forces of the devil (notice how many times the word “forces” is used).

I need to be strong in the strength of His might.

It is His power that overcomes my sinful nature/desires.

Ph 4:13
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Personal Application:

It is impossible to fight my sinful desires by myself.

It is impossible to say “no” all the time.
It is impossible to flee all the time.

I must define my life by what I say “yes” to instead of what I say “no” to.
I must define my life by what I “pursue” instead of what I “flee.”

Jesus summed up 613 commandments in two commandments: Love God and love people.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, I identify with this immediately. It is impossible to fight this world by myself. It is impossible to be strong enough by myself. It is impossible to repeatedly say “no” by myself. I must have a “yes” in my life that is greater than the “no’s” in my life. Father, forgive me all the times and ways that I try to fight this fight in my strength instead of Your strength. Give me sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that enables me to hear and respond immediately. Give me Your strength to put the armor of God on each and every day and to fight the battle. A soldier can’t afford to go to battle without his armor. Give me the armor needed to be a leader for You. Give me the army needed to win Your battles.

Focused Thinking: (Eph 6:11)

What is the first step to being strong in the Lord and fighting according to His power?

¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

A soldier never goes into battle without his armor and weapons.

I don’t go to work everyday, I go to battle everyday.

I must be more intentional about putting on the full armor of God.

I must be prepared at all times for the enemy to attack.

This is urgent! I must quit believing the lie of safety.

The devil is always on the offensive, unleashing his schemes against us.
The devil is a roaring lion, always seeking one to devour.
The devil is always seeking to steal, kill and destroy.

The purpose of putting on the full armor of God is to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Notice the scripture says, “put on the FULL armor of God.” Leave no room for vulnerability.

Personal Application:

I need to do a study on the devil, spiritual warfare and putting on the full armor of God.
Without the full armor of God, believers will be defeated by the schemes of the devil.
Believers/the church must wake up.

Focused Thinking: (Eph 6:12–13)

What are the devil’s most effect schemes/strategies today?

Pleasure-The lusts of the eyes and the lusts of the flesh.
Position/Prestige/Power-The boastful pride of life.

Proverbs 6:16–19, 24¹⁶There are six things which the LORD hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:¹⁷Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,¹⁸a heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,¹⁹A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.²⁴To keep you from the evil woman,
From the smooth tongue of the adulteress.

What is the intensity of the battle?

¹²For 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. ¹³Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything, to stand firm.

The struggle is against satanic forces:

…against the rulers and powers (Eph 1:21; 3:10).
…against the world forces of this darkness (Eph 2:2; 4:18; 5:8).
…against the spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph 6:12).

I can’t win a spiritual battle by the flesh; I must win a spiritual battle with the flesh by the Holy Spirit.

Do you see the intensity of the battle? Do you feel the hatred of the adversary?

¹³Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything, to stand firm.

Prepare for battle…take up the full armor of God.

Fight the battle…so that you will be able to resist in the evil day.

110%…having done everything, to stand firm.

Personal Application:

WOW! — What a statement…”having done everything, to stand firm.”

I must fight the battle moment by moment.
I must give 110% to stand firm.
I must lead my life as if I am in battle.
I must lead my family as if we are in battle.

I must equip my leaders as if we are in battle.
I must equip my soldiers as if we are in battle.
I must prepare for battle daily.

Interactive Prayer:

Father, I’m overwhelmed by the intensity and difficulty of the battle. It is a battle of “having no hope and being without God in the world” versus having “faith, hope and love.” It is a battle of the devil coming to “steal, kill and destroy” versus “life and life more abundant.” It is a battle of glorifying God or glorifying the devil. It is a battle of fighting for the lives of men and women.

Father, we’ve been fighting the battle for seven years, please replenish the troops and resources. Give our generals and soldiers the rest needed to keep fighting the battle. Give us the resources needed to keep fighting the battle. Give us the victories needed to continue the battle.

Father, it is a difficult battle because it takes so long to claim victory. Salvation is just the first victory, but we must equip our new soldiers to fight the battle every day. I’m worried about all the new soldiers. I’m worried about the 108 people who were baptized this past year. I’m worried that the battle is too intense without proper training. Father, they must be trained or they will be defeated. We must provide a boot-camp for new soldiers.

Father, anoint our plans and our classes. Give us passionate teachers. Give us success in equipping soldiers. Father, we must build our special ops teams. Give us wisdom, favor and anointing to know how to create navy seals, army rangers and marines. Give us the vision, personnel, knowledge, time and resources to train our soldiers effectively and efficiently.

Father, give us an effective process to get our people to worship, connect, equip and serve. I’m tired of the frustration of assimilating people. Give us great leaders and teachers to lead our connect groups and equip classes. Give us an eight-lane expressway that enables people to grow spiritually. Give us the ability to make the steps easy, obvious and strategic. Attendees can’t survive the attacks, only soldiers survive the attacks.

Father, give us more soldiers to fight bigger battles. Give us more resources to fight bigger battles. Move upon the hearts of Your strategic givers and give them a vision for Highpoint.

Father, fulfill Your promise in Malachi 3:10 to the people who have taken the tithing challenge. Mature our church as a giving church. Give us amazing stories of Your faithfulness that will start a generosity movement through our church. Father, I pray that stories of Your faithfulness will be exceeding abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think. I pray that You will glorify Yourself through these stories.

Father, give us salvation stories, life-change stories and serving stories. Give us the vision, creativity and resources to be the best story-telling church in the world. Broadcast Your stories through this church to the world. I pray that Mark and Annika will be great stories of Your glory and that they will be great story-tellers for You.

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About Chris

A native of Memphis, Chris Conlee has responded to God’s call to impact his hometown. In the midst of his collegiate golf career, Chris had a crisis of belief that led him to abandon his dream of golf and to relentlessly pursue the heart of God. After completing his bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis and his Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Chris followed God’s direction to plant a church that would be a perfect place for imperfect people.