‘Don’t you know there’s a war on?’ That’s a question that will be asked when someone is behaving in a way that is totally inappropriate for the demands of a war situation. Things that could be done in normal times may have to be laid aside. There are now other priorities. War changes every aspect of life. Many today have never experienced a war, yet for Christians, there is actually a war on every day. We consider now Ephesians 6:10-13 Spiritual warfare.
1. Making your preparations
Paul’s basic assumption is that Christians are involved in a spiritual battle. A battle is raging, and Christians face many enemies. Many examples occur in Paul’s ministry – Jewish opposition to the gospel, his ‘thorn’ (2 Corinthians 12:7), imprisonment, wrestling with temptation (Romans 7). We are not left to manage as best we can with our own resources. God supplies ‘all your need’ (Philippians 4:19). For our battle the primary need is strength, hence ‘be strengthened in the Lord’ (v10, lit). We can be sure of receiving enough strength because of the Lord’s ‘mighty power’ (see Psalm 144:1-2). The command is continuous – daily appropriation of strength since the opposition is unrelenting. Paul’s description of ‘the whole armour of God’ (v11) probably draws on his experience of the guards in prison. God makes full provision, but we have the responsibility to ‘Put on’ the armour. Failing to use the resources he gives guarantees defeat in battle.
2. Knowing your enemy
If we know what to expect of our enemy, we will be better able to defend ourselves and counterattack. The enemy is chiefly ‘the devil’ (v11) the leader of the spiritual powers opposed to God. Paul’s description shows this is a powerful enemy (v12) who must be taken seriously. The powers are at work blinding the hearts and minds of people. They operate in ‘heavenly places’ – the spiritual realm, not God’s dwelling. Sinners are in bondage to the powers of evil. The battle is spiritual – ‘not against flesh and blood’ – but that does not mean people are not involved, as individuals, nations and organisations opposing the Lord and his people (note John 15:18 ‘hated me first’). We have a cunning enemy who employs ‘schemes’, often not attacking openly and directly. He mixes truth with error (Genesis 3), misquotes Scripture (Matthew 4). We need to be alert and seek God’s wisdom to perceive attacks.
3. Standing your ground
Paul’s description of the enemy might cause us to lose heart, since on our own we could not win. We must not forget God’s ‘mighty power’ (v10|), that raised Christ from the dead (1:19-20). The devil and his hosts are defeated enemies. We are again exhorted in v13 to ‘put on the full armour’, otherwise we will suffer defeat. We need to be ready ‘when the day of evil comes’. It comes in different ways for each of us. If we are clothed with the armour, we will ‘be able to stand your ground’ (v13). We will be able to offer effective resistance and the devil will flee (James 4:7). We will still be standing at our post when the onslaught abates. All the glory of victory belongs to the Lord. We need not live in defeat.