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 

Whether we like it or not, we are all in a spiritual battle. There are two kingdoms at work in this world, one from God and one from the enemy. God’s kingdom can be understood by acknowledging God’s love (1 John 4:8), Christ’s sacrifice for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2), and the work of the Spirit in the lives of those who call on His name (Romans 10:13). The work of the enemy is to kill, steal, and destroy all that we have in Christ by introducing lies, fear, and doubt into our lives. The enemy seeks to influence our thinking and to convince us that the promises of God cannot be trusted. When we begin to believe the lies of the enemy, we set ourselves up for disappointment, despair, disillusionment, and in some cases, depression. But when we stand firm in the knowledge of God’s love for us, Christ’s provision of salvation by faith, and the power and freedom that come from the Spirit of God, we begin to see the byproducts that accompany an authentic Christian life (love, joy, peace, and the rest, Galatians 5:22-23).

Today’s passage is the beginning of Paul’s admonition for us to put on the full armor of God. As believers, we have everything that we need in order to do battle. But the overarching reason for our putting on this armor is expressed in Paul’s opening remarks to “be strong” and to “stand firm.”

To “be strong” is to be enabled or invigorated. It is the mark of a life that is lived in confidence, security, and abundance. Consider these passages on living this kind of life:

Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

                                                                                                         2 Corinthians 3:4-6 

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

                                                                                                                     Hebrews 4:16 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know…what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might… 

                                                                                                               Ephesians 1:19 

This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.                                                                       

                                                                                                         Ephesians 3:11-12 

(I pray) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man…

                                                                                                                 Ephesians 3:16 

As Christians, we are to live in confidence, boldness, power, and strength. It is worth noticing that in each of these passages, the power does not come from ourselves rather it comes as we realize, rest in, and rely on the power that comes from God alone. It is His power, His might, and His strength that allows for such powerful, effective, and bold living. After all, faith is defined as being assured and confident of something unseen or yet to be realized (Hebrews 11:1-2).

As we examine each piece of the armor of God, we will have the opportunity to walk in the power that comes from each of these spiritual realities. As we change our way of thinking by saturating our minds with the Word of God, we can begin to overcome the trappings of the enemy and to distinguish between truth and lie. As much as the enemy schemes, his efforts are only as effective as each believer allows him to be. If we belong to Jesus, the battle may be waged but the victory had already been won. Let’s walk in the spiritual power, strength, and might that come as we walk in the truth of God’s Word!

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

                                                                                                         Ephesians 3:20-21