As the Apostle Paul writes…”our enemies are not flesh and blood”… Paul expresses the struggle we all experience against the spiritual forces who oppose God and God’s will. One did not dare to ignore this letter, without expecting serious consequences. From the early chapters of the Old Testament it is apparent that Satan is the enemy of God, and that he actively seeks to oppose God, His purposes, and His people. Ephesians 6:10-20 English Standard Version (ESV) The Whole Armor of God. The terrain was rocky in the ancient world, requiring sturdy, protective footwear. The godly angel came in response to Daniel’s prayers and the ungodly celestial beings opposed this angel. Imagine for a moment that you are a slave, and that Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus is being read to the whole church as it gathers for worship. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Now who would have ever considered gossip to be satanic? Ephesians 6:10-20 English Standard Version (ESV) The Whole Armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-20. How do you resolve conflicts? The struggle is a part of God’s eternal plan. 3.Describe the impact is it having on your family? It is true, in one sense, that the days are evil: “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). It is a spiritual war. 19 Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he brought them to Samaria (2 Kings 6:15-19). Click a verse to see commentary Select a resource above Children and Parents. The Christian’s walk is then described in Ephesians 4:1–6:9. Men must be wise, sober, submissive to the created order, exposers of deceit, and have gratitude to God for the calling they are given. 4.How is Satan attacking your family indirectly? 4.How do you filter commercials that are inappropriate? But David stayed at Jerusalem (2 Samuel 11:1). 6 not only when you are under their eye, as if you had only to please human beings, but as slaves of Christ who wholeheartedly do the will of God. Let those who would dwell on the blessings of our faith also take note of the battle which we have entered into by faith in Jesus Christ, and which we must wage in His strength. In 1 Chronicles, we see another glimpse of Satan’s opposition to God and to His people. This angel informed Daniel that he had set out to come to him much sooner, but that he encountered opposition from the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” who withstood him, delaying him for 21 days. The pericope of Ephesians 6:10-20 is a battle cry from the Apostle Paul written originally to addresses spiritual issues at the Church at Ephesus. Unless we had been given the revelation of this verse, no one would ever have attributed David’s actions here to anything other than bad judgment. 14.Group Discussion: What cultural influences represent the greatest danger to the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of your family? (10) Our duty is not to attack Satan, or to defeat him, but rather to withstand his attacks. (7) The Christian’s weapons have been divinely provided, in Christ. Why would Paul be so emphatic about putting on the full armor of God and then not tell us what all of that armor is. It functions as a transition into the final part of the letter’s exhortation to the churches. God has already won the war by the death of His Son on the cross of Calvary (see John 12:31; 16:11). He contended that Job would only serve God as long as God blessed him. Commentaries on Ephesians. He then indicates that such sin is rebellion against God which grieves His Holy Spirit (4:3-4). You are at war with God. And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince (Daniel 10:10-13, 20-21). You have been forgiven your sins and saved unto good works through the grace of God in Christ (2:4-10). household of God with himself; and he calls them so, to show his 50 Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand. For this is right— Manifestly just and reasonable. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, 11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. Many of the sins which seem completely human in origin, actually have a satanic source. The war is a matter of trusting and obeying our Lord. Paul sees to it that it is Christ who is preeminent. When God delivered the Israelites out of their Egyptian captivity and brought them into the land of Canaan, He purposely did not drive out all of the Canaanites. One more thing should be said about the relationship between Paul’s teaching on submission and obedience in 5:21–6:9 and his teaching on the spiritual war in 6:10-20. 3.In what areas does Satan gain an advantage (or foothold) in a man’s behavior? Ephesians 6:10-20 Commentary by Sarah Henrich As the letter to assemblies of believers in Ephesus and throughout the great cities of Asia Minor draws to a close, the author offers a final extended metaphor for how a person of faith in Jesus as God’s own anointed one, Lord over all, might shape the life of believers. Check out these helpful resources Biblical Commentary Sermons Children’s Sermons Hymn Lists. Paul’s instructions concerning the spiritual war are similar, in that Paul is informing every Christian that they have been drafted, not to fight a physical war, but to fight a spiritual war. Satan carries on his warfare on various fronts. Session 7 We are not encouraged to take up the “full armor of God,” we are commanded to do so. (3) Paul’s focus in our text is not on every aspect of Satan’s opposition to God and man, but on his war with the saints. He is called upon to take up the full armor of God, and is thereby assured that he will not be defeated. 13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.… 20 Then he said, “Do you understand why I came to you? CONTENT DISCLAIMER: The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. 10 Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. and partly with respect to their many and potent enemies Peter learned this lesson the hard way (see Luke 22:31-34). READ: Ephesians 6:10-20 (Text: v18) Ephesians chapters 4-6 are all about “Spiritual Warfare”. Six Steps to Shield Yourself from Satan. Not only did Satan tempt our Lord with several different lines of approach, he purposed to continue to tempt Him, when the opportunity presented itself. Ephesians 6:10-20 Commentary by Sarah Henrich. 146 Note that when Paul speaks of the spiritual gifts which our Lord bestows on His church, they are said to be the fruit of His victory over “a host of captives” which He has “led captive.” These “captives” must certainly be those opposing Him, and if not directly, then he must at least indirectly be speaking of the angelic forces which have allied themselves with Satan in opposing God. Christians should know that we are in the midst of a great spiritual struggle, although many seem not to believe it. In this first lesson, we will concentrate on verses 10-13, which direct our attention to the war itself, and to our grasp of its gravity. The Armor of God. 8.Share with the group an incident where you have been tricked or deceived. 12 For our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against rulers, against powers, against the world forces of this present darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly … Two times we read that David stayed in Jerusalem “at the time when kings go to war”: Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and her servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. Ephesians 6:10, KJV: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." Which ones describe you? 21:1). Our desire is to see all men become true followers of Jesus Christ 7 days a week/52 weeks a year. 3 And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear; 4 But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Satan’s perception is warped. All rights reserved. It should come as no surprise to the Christian to read here that we are engaged in a great spiritual battle. 2.What programs do you allow your children to watch? At the present, Satan’s opposition against the church is not a frontal attack, but a subversive attack through intrigue, deception, and trickery. How he must find pleasure in letting men think they are free, when they are really his slaves! The spiritual war is about not giving way, but standing fast. Belt of Truth. Satan cannot think of God as our Reward, but only as the Rewarder of those who do His bidding. regard to them as regenerate persons, and of the same family and Even Goliath’s words to David made it clear that this young man could not prevail on his own. Do your sons dress modestly and tastefully? In spite of his efforts to the contrary, Satan, the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), was soon to be defeated on the cross of Calvary. In the case of Job’s adversities, they came first from Satan, but ultimately from God, whose sovereign control over the events of His servant’s life never wavered. And this mystery is now been revealed through the church, even as Paul has revealed it to the church. He wrestles, not against mere human foes, but against the dæmonic powers and principalities who are the rulers of this dark and wicked world; against the evil spiritual agencies in the heavenly sphere. Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–20. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. As the angels observe the women in submission to their own husbands (1 Corinthians 11:10), they are reminded of the importance of their submission to God. Iain Duguid Jul 14, 2019 5K Shares Article. More often, Satan employs his demons to do his bidding (see 2 Corinthians 12:7). He was once blameless at the time of his creation, but then was found with sin (Ezekiel 28:15). There is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except your. Forgiven your sins and saved unto good works through the grace of God in Christ ( 2:4-10 ) to churches. With sin ( Ezekiel 28:15 ) and partly with respect to their many potent... 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