Ephesians 6:13-17; The evil day and the armor of God (belt and breastplate).

Class Outline:

Tuesday April 19, 2022

 

EPH 6:10-13

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

 

Summary: Be strong with God’s mighty power, put on your soul the full armor (put on Christ and the new self also) that you may be consistently able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

 

Our struggle is not against people, all of whom are redeemable and are loved by us. People are often flaming missiles of the evil one, and in hope we should all be aiming to convert them into soldiers for God. We carry the gospel of peace, and the gospel flips people from tools of Satan to servants of God every day in this world. We do not struggle against people.

 

We do however, struggle against the rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavens. It is fruitless to attempt to differentiate these four groups. It is more likely that Paul lumps them together for rhetorical effect. The devil’s organization is spiritual, nor corporeal, large, worldwide, powerful, commanding certain authority, in the atmosphere, and wicked and dark. They are not redeemable or savable and they are wicked to the core. These are the source of our struggle.

 

And yet, it is the human believers who are truly spiritual and sit with Christ in the heavens. God made man in His image and crowned man, not angels, with glory and majesty (PSA 8:3-8).

 

From our new selves, our new position as the new humanity in Christ Jesus who has ascended above all rule and authority, from divine righteousness and truth and power gifted to us, we must live out what we are in Christ in this world that continues under the age of Adam; shining forth as the light we are.

 

EPH 6:13

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

 

1. Resist in the evil day demands faith and execution of truth despite what sight says.

 

1. 1. “take up” - take to yourself. “Stand” is complimented by “resist.”

 

1. 1. 1. In vs. 13, put on is replaced with “take up” which can mean to “take to yourself.” Stand is changed to the synonym resist, which word simply means to stand against. “Stand” as a command will be used in vs. 14.

 

1. 2. The evil day looks to be about a day in which the evil that is always around us comes out from the shadows and is upon us.

 

EPH 5:15-16

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

 

PRO 16:4-5

The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,

Even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;

Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

 

1. 3. The sovereignty of God controls all world events.

 

PRO 16:4-5 - Notice the sovereignty of God in this proverb - the Lord has made everything. The greatest purpose of God was mankind. That we have fallen into sin which resulted in a cursed world, has not hindered that overall purpose. God is still in control and still working in everything.

 

The truth of the sovereignty of God and the fact of the existence of sin and evil in His universe will always be a mystery. Evil and sin cannot be a surprise to God. Judgment of people was never a surprise either. Still, we have faith in the goodness of God who has provided salvation through His incredible love and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who alone perfected the plans for humanity.

 

Sometimes, God’s sovereignty appears to be unfair. If every day seems like an evil day to a certain one, then he is constantly able to stand firm. If evil days don’t seem as frequent for another, he is constantly able to stand firm. The amount of suffering in any one person’s life is a matter for the sovereignty of God. As impossible as it is to unravel in our minds, God controls all things in the course of human events throughout all history.

 

1. 4. Evil days are certain and unpredictable. Every morning we must be alert and prepared with inner strength, the lifestyle of God’s armor, ready to stand firm.

 

EPH 6:13

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

 

It is impossible to know what Paul means by “having done everything.” It seems to be an exhortation to be ready and alert every day.

 

1. The armor of God.

 

1. 1. The armor of God is God’s armor (ISA 11:5; 52:7; 59:17). He has a breastplate of righteousness, a helmet of salvation, a belt of righteousness and faithfulness, and shoes of the gospel.

 

EPH 6:14-17

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 

1. 2. The pieces of the armor all refer to our application of God’s gifts in life. Truth is applied, righteousness and peace and faith and salvation are lived.