Ephesians 6:10-22

Ephesians 6:10-22

Often we come to this passage, and we rush to the description of the armor of God for the disciple. We are eager to focus on the helmet, shield, breastplate, etc. But we need to be careful to first consider ‘why’ Paul thought it was so critical that we be so armed. Before we talk about what the armor is, we need to understand why the armor is needed.

Paul begins in verse 10 by calling a disciple to be empowered in the strength of God. We are, in and of ourselves, no match for the powers of darkness. Their superior wit, cunning, experience, and knowledge of our weakness will leave us with no advantages of our own. If left to ourselves, we are doomed to be beaten. But in the strength of God we are secure. The three “power words” that Paul uses in verse 10 roll over each other like an unstoppable wave. The first word, “be strong,” is a dynamic power, and it is the root for the English word dynamite. The second word, “strength,” is the word that means dominion or mighty deed. The third word, “might,” means the force to overcome resistance. These words stack on each other as an irresistible strength that will overcome the powers of darkness. But we must never forget the power is in us from the Lord and is not our own. Humility must be the attitude with which we hold ourselves related to any matter of strength.

God’s strength is the only reasonable protection from the schemes of the devil. There are two interesting words used here. The term “scheme” is from the word that gives us the English word “method.” It carries the idea of a way of researching or inquiring after something. When we face an attack or temptation by the dark powers, we must remember that those attacks are not random. Before the attack, the enemy researches us, searches our history of failure and vulnerability and circumstances, and looks for patterns of when we are most apt to fail. We are all objects of intense investigation by the powers of darkness that are bent on our ruin. Another word choice that we ought to note is Paul’s use of the word “devil” rather than Satan. Satan means opponent. ‘Satan’ might be the expected word in view of the picture of battle Paul is using. But instead he uses the term devil, which means the “accuser” or the “slanderer.” The scheme or method used by the dark powers is to accuse everyone of betrayal. The enemy would have us trust in no one and doubt everyone. The attack will always be for us to trust ourselves as our own god. The accusation or slander of the enemy is always an attempt for us to elevate ourselves to be god.

“Lord, by Your grace and power together let us defeat the enemy. AMEN”