Today, we're diving into a powerful passage from Ephesians chapter 6, focusing on verses 10 and 13-18. This scripture teaches us about standing firm in our faith and putting on the armor of God. As we explore these verses, we'll discover five key ways to stand strong in our spiritual journey.
Our main verse, Ephesians 6:10, tells us to "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." This is such an important reminder, especially in a world that often challenges our faith. No matter our age or stage of life, we all face battles that test our beliefs and our walk with God. That's why learning to stand firm is crucial for every believer.
The Challenge of Standing Firm in a Shifting World
Life doesn't always offer us firm ground. We're not guaranteed sure footing or an easy path. But even in a world that's constantly shifting and changing, God's Word teaches us how to create a solid foundation. We can all stand on the unshakeable ground that the Bible provides.
I appreciate how our opening verse instructs us to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. If I'm honest, my tendency is often to try to be strong in myself - through my own work ethic, emotions, or ability to stay on top of tasks. While having a strong work ethic and stewarding our time and talents well are important, God gives us a clear directive to rely on His power, not our own.
This is actually a great comfort. The Lord never gets tired. He's never blindsided or shocked. His power and strength are perfect and always available to us. We don't have to be strong on our own, and I'm so grateful for that.
Five Ways to Stand Firm in Faith
So how do we learn to be strong in the Lord's power? We have to put on the full armor of God. Let's explore five specific ways we can stand firm in our faith:
1. Stand Firm in Truth
The first piece of armor Paul mentions is the belt of truth. At first glance, a belt might not seem like the toughest piece of equipment. But when we think about it, a belt surrounds us completely and sits close to our body. It's what allows us to hold all the other necessary weapons in battle.
If we don't have truth, we won't be able to hold onto the other spiritual weapons God gives us. Truth needs to surround us on every side, not just in certain areas of our life. We need to be truthful in church, with our families, at work - everywhere.
When we surround ourselves with God's truth, our discernment grows. We can more easily recognize the enemy's tactics and avoid deception. Practical ways to stand firm in truth include being honest in our everyday interactions, guarding our speech, and aligning our thoughts with God's Word.
2. Stand Firm in God's Righteousness
Next, Paul talks about putting on the breastplate or body armor of righteousness. This protects our heart and vital organs - the parts that keep us alive. Without this armor, we're susceptible to fatal wounds.
Righteousness simply means being in right standing with God. It's important to note that we can't achieve this on our own. If we try to put on our own righteousness, we'll fail. That's why the scripture specifies that it's God's righteousness we need to put on.
We receive this righteousness through our relationship with Jesus. It comes from knowing Him, accepting His sacrifice for our sins, and allowing Him to lead our lives. Living in right standing with God means following His moral instructions in the Bible.
The opposite of righteousness is shame, which can be like poison to our hearts. Shame makes everything about us and our failures, causing us to retreat or stay still in the battle. But when we put on God's righteousness, we can counter those shameful thoughts with the truth of who we are in Christ.
3. Stand Firm in the Gospel of Peace
The third piece of armor is described as shoes of peace that come from the good news. This isn't just a general sense of calmness, but a deep peace rooted in knowing and believing the gospel.
In a world full of anxiety and reasons to be distraught, we as believers can walk in a unique kind of peace. This doesn't mean we ignore current events or stop praying for world issues. Rather, it means we don't spiral into anxiety because we know God's ultimate plan and how He will redeem all things.
Just as shoes protect our feet from various terrains, the gospel of peace protects us as we navigate life's challenges. When we know who we are in God and what His Word promises, we don't have to worry about certain things because we're protected.
4. Stand Firm in Faith and Salvation
Paul then mentions the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. These pieces of armor help protect our minds from doubt and confusion. It's difficult to stand firm when our minds aren't clear, so we need to guard our thoughts with faith and the assurance of our salvation.
Fiery darts aimed at our minds often represent doubt - about God, ourselves, or our place in the community. These doubts can create a mental fog that prevents us from seeing things clearly. But when we hold up the shield of faith, we choose to believe what God's Word says, even when circumstances look bleak.
5. Stand Firm in the Word and Prayer
Finally, Paul talks about the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God) and instructs us to pray continually. These are some of our most powerful offensive weapons. We can use them to combat the darts the enemy throws our way.
Studying God's Word and maintaining a consistent prayer life help us learn more about God's character and remind us of His good plans for us, even in difficult times.
We should aim to pray in all circumstances - not just when things are bad, but also when they're good. We can pray prayers of request and gratitude, for refinement and growth.
Practical Application: Putting on the Armor of God
Now that we've explored these five ways to stand firm, let's look at some practical examples of how we can put on the armor of God in everyday situations:
When faced with shame or guilt over sin:
Instead of hiding or believing we're too bad for God to love us, we can put on the body armor of God's righteousness. We can remind ourselves that because of Jesus, we can always talk to God about anything. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
When worried about the future:
Rather than letting fear paralyze us, we can put on the shoes of peace that come from the gospel. We can remember Jesus' words in John 16:33: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
When feeling lonely or doubting God's care:
Instead of believing the lie that we're alone or that God doesn't hear our prayers, we can put on the helmet of salvation and hold up the shield of faith. We can remind ourselves of Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
When overwhelmed by negative circumstances:
Rather than feeling helpless, we can take up the sword of the Spirit and pray. We can remember James 5:16, which tells us that "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Growing Stronger in Faith
Putting on the armor of God doesn't mean we won't face any battles or that life will suddenly become easy. What it does mean is that we can face our battles with greater strength and with God by our side, rather than trying to figure everything out on our own.
Imagine yourself with bigger spiritual muscles and stronger faith. What would be different in your home, in our church, in our community if we were all really strong in wearing the armor of God every single day? It's a beautiful picture and something that God invites all of us into today.
As we close, I want to encourage you to assess your own spiritual armor. Are you surrounding yourself with truth? Are you relying on God's righteousness rather than your own? Are you walking in the peace that comes from the gospel? Are you holding firm to your faith and salvation? Are you regularly engaging with God's Word and prayer?
Remember, we have to know the Word to use the Word, and use the Word to live the Word. Let's commit to putting on the full armor of God daily, standing firm in our faith, and facing life's challenges with the strength and power that only God can provide.
