The Battle of Life
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.”
August 26, 2012
Ephesians 6.10-20, The Battle of Life
Doug Scalise, Brewster Baptist Church
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Today’s scripture begins with Paul writing, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.” How do you draw strength from God? Each of us will answer that question in our own way, our answers might have some things in common and some that are more personal. However, what shouldn’t be missed is the fact that Paul exhorts us to be strong in the Lord because life is a battle, it is a struggle, there is an adversary that would seek to do us harm or to thwart God’s will for our life so we need to be prepared. While some people may be uncomfortable with the imagery of putting on “the whole armor of God,” it is one way of envisioning the Christian spiritual life.
The Ephesians text is structured so that we hear first, the purpose for the task ahead of us which is “to stand against the wiles of the devil.” The word “stand” appears several times in these verses. We want to stand firm, we don’t want to run away or be defeated.
Secondly, the armor we need to use is described (truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God).
Finally, we’re told how that “armor” is to be deployed which is by praying in the Spirit at all times.
Some people think the idea of there being a devil or spiritual forces of evil is old-fashioned, outdated, or even foolish. However, if you think about battles or warfare, one of the greatest elements for a successful attack is surprise. When Greg and I were in Maine two weeks ago we were sitting on the beach when I heard what I thought was an unusual plane engine. I looked to my left and flying down the beach no more than 200 feet over the water was a B-25 Mitchell, a US plane from World War Two. Flying behind the Mitchell was a Japanese Zero painted like one of the planes that was used in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. Following the Zero were four United States fighter planes from the Second World War, a Corsair, a P-40, and two beautiful P-51 Mustangs. These six planes put on an amazing airshow for 30 minutes and it was something to see. Watching the Zero flying over the water and beach, one of only two in the world still flying, was a reminder of the attack on Pearl Harbor which was devastating in its impact because it was a surprise. We don’t want to be surprised by a spiritual enemy simply because we don’t believe that enemy exists, that makes us even more vulnerable to the wiles and attacks of our adversary. Paul wants us to be able to stand and not be surprised or defeated by our spiritual enemy.
The way to stand successfully is to put on the whole armor of God which Paul describes piece by piece. Paul uses the warrior equipment of Roman soldiers with which all his contemporaries would have been familiar to illustrate the Christian spiritual life. Years ago Cathie Kroeger’s friend and colleague Marva Dawn gave a Bible study in which she talked about the language in the old hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers,” reminding us that following Christ Jesus by praying for our enemies, turning the other cheek, forgiving endlessly, etc., is in many respects to live embattled. It is not to fight against other people. It is not a triumphal war to form a Christian government. It is not a struggle opposing non-Christians or back-sliders or even one’s own weaknesses. The task is much bigger. The “whole armor of God” is needed for the war against the principalities and powers, and against the forces of sin, our own separation from the Holy One, our own desires for what does not nourish God’s creation. The enemy (verse 12) is “the rulers… the authorities… the cosmic powers of this present darkness… the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” The enemy threatens from within and outside ourselves. To be ready for war with that enemy is to be set for the daily battle against all that opposes God’s desire that “the mystery of the gospel” give joy on Earth.
Each of the six pieces of armor offers us something different and needed. One matter to hold in mind is that, while they constitute the equipment of an individual soldier, in the context of serving they are the armor of the church as a body. We wear these gifts together. We “stand therefore” (verse 14) shoulder to shoulder as Roman soldiers would do,2 as today’s riot police do: like an impenetrable wall of strength.
The belt holds up the clothes so the soldier can move unencumbered. The belt helps to pull together all the loose ends prior to battle. The “belt of truth” fixes what is necessary in such a way that it leaves the church free and flexible, able to walk or run, loosed from what constrains or trips the wearer. In this sense, the belt pulls together any spiritual loose ends such as hypocrisy or lack of devotion through truth. In John 14:6, Jesus said he is “The way, the truth, and the life.” We’re all better off if Jesus, the truth, is helping hold us together.
The breastplate covers the core of the body. As a symbol of righteousness and holiness, this is the Christian’s chief protection against Satan and his schemes. As believers faithfully live in obedience to and in communion with Jesus Christ, His righteousness produces in us the practical, daily righteousness that becomes our spiritual breastplate. Lack of holiness leaves us vulnerable to trouble.
“As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.” This footgear pertains to the confidence of divine support that allows the believer to stand firm, to know that we are at peace with God, and to understand that God is our strength. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” and as his followers we are to proclaim and live the gospel of peace – peace with God and with one another. It makes a difference to have footwear that protects our feet and enables us to walk and run and work more securely and comfortably. It’s easier to walk over rocks if you’ve got something protecting your feet. It’s easier to deal with rocky situations in life when our attitude and approach is one of peace.
Perhaps some of the most famous feet and footsteps taken in human history were those of Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon who died yesterday at the age of 82. A friend of ours Tom Davis shared the following on Facebook last night. “Part of me didn’t want to post this…after all, it would be out of character for Neil Armstrong to garner any attention. Still, as a friend of my parents I will, because he deserves the recognition for his life and his accomplishments.
“Almost exactly 40 years ago an American hero was coming to dinner at my parents’ house. Neil Armstrong. My parents instructed us ahead of time that he was a humble, modest and quiet man and we would find him to be a very kind and nice man. But that we were not to ask about the moon, unless he volunteered anything. He did not. But I did make sure I looked at his feet under the table, the most famous feet in the world! I can report, from both that dinner and subsequent visits that Neil Armstrong was indeed a very kind, humble and gentle man. He is an American hero. He and his peers inspired many in my generation. He is a role model to me. We will all miss his presence amongst us.
God bless and RIP Mr. Armstrong.” Neil Armstrong had the right footwear to walk on the moon; we want our feet to be equally well equipped to proclaim the gospel of peace.
The shield of faith is defense against flaming arrows of the evil one. Roman shields were covered with leather, wetted against incoming fire, and large enough to cover the one who carried it and one-third of the person beside him.3 The shields were linked, so that again, we can see an image of the church, armed with faith, facing assaults from those who do not know the gospel is about peace. The shield speaks to basic trust in God. The great thing about a shield is that it can cover weaknesses in our armor. In the same way, our faith in Jesus can cover areas where we are weak.
Next Paul mentions the “helmet of salvation” Our enemy seeks to destroy our assurance of salvation with weapons of doubt and discouragement. Our salvation comes through the work of Christ on our behalf so our confidence is in Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s promises, not in our own goodness. Some of you may be familiar with the X-Men movie franchise that has been out for over a decade. In it, one of the major characters Magneto wears a special helmet so that no one can penetrate his mind and thoughts. That is kind of like what the helmet of salvation does for us, it helps protect our thoughts. There’s an old gospel song that has the words, “I woke up this morning with my mind, stayed on Jesus.” That is a good way to start the day. A Roman helmet also gave protection for the eyes. We want to keep our mind and eyes focused on the Lord. Let us think right; let us view things through the eyes of Christ.
The breastplate, shield, and helmet protected a Roman soldier’s most important and vital organs. Righteousness, faith, and salvation protect Christians from our spiritual enemy.
The only piece of this armor that is made to be used for offense (although a shield and helmet can be, but if they are that means we are more vulnerable and less protected) is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Proclaiming the mystery of the gospel, the word of God is for healing and peace. As the sword is the only weapon mentioned, so God’s Word is the only weapon we need and it is more powerful than any of our adversary. It is used both defensively to fend off attacks, and offensively to help destroy the enemy’s strategies.
Once we have all our armor on, we are to use it by praying in the Spirit at all times. On June 15th a television audience of more than ten million people around the world watched a daring young aerialist do something that hadn’t been done in more than a century – walk a tightrope across Niagara Falls. Swirling winds, heavy mists and the deafening roar from the raging falls below didn’t deter Nik Wallenda, 33, as he successfully carried his 40-pound balance-beam across a two-inch steel wire from the American side of the falls to the Canadian side.
One may wonder about the wisdom of even attempting such a stunt. But it’s the type of thing his family, the “Flying Wallendas,” has done for more than a century. In fact, Nik is the 7th generation of Wallenda aerialists. And this Wallenda had a goal. When he got to the Canadian side, he was greeted by a customs official who asked him, “What is the purpose of your visit, sir?” His response: “To inspire people around the world.”
And that he did. It didn’t get a lot of media attention, but Wallenda said he “prayed non-stop” during his walk. This professing Christian said, “The Bible says to pray without ceasing and I’m always praying.” Indeed, Wallenda wore a wireless microphone so that TV viewers could hear his every word as he spanned the roaring chasm below, beginning with, “My God, it’s incredible, it’s breathtaking.” But no one listening carefully could have missed his continuing words of praise to God: “Oh Lord, you’re my Savior, you’re my King. You’re my Jesus, my Counselor. You’re my Wisdom. I praise you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. Thank you, Lord. I praise you my Father.”
Can you imagine being so bold – so public – about your profession of Christ? Wallenda later said that his faith is a vital part of his everyday life, not just when doing the risky things that simply are part of what he does. “It’s the most important part of my life. I believe in a thing called unmerited favor. It’s undeserved, but God’s involvement in my life has gotten me to where I am in my career.” Wallenda makes it clear that he’s not immune to fear. “There’s some nerves there, especially when I was walking directly over the brink of the falls. Mentally, your mind says, ‘What are you doing?'”
But Wallenda says his faith is just as important for his everyday life as it is for the successful completion of his feats of daring. “We all go through challenges. But once we get through them and we look back we say, ‘Look how much our lives have changed from going through that challenge.’ If you can focus on the other side, it’s that much easier.”
“Focus on the other side.” There is a key for each of us as we face the battle of life. In our case, “the other side” is both the other side of the adversity or battle we may be facing or the struggle we’re in as well as the life beyond this one.
As we seek the Lord’s strength, let us strive each day to put on the whole armor of God, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes that enable us to proclaim the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God so that we may stand firm.
As we pray at all times in the Spirit, and keep our eyes focused on Jesus, it will help us successfully fight the battle of life which at times can seem as scary as walking across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. And as Paul says, remember to persevere in prayer for each other and for those of us preach the word.
Blessing: “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9