Are You Ready for the Battle? (Ephesians 6:13-17)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 6:13-17

On Friday, we talked about our being in a battle, and it's so very true. You don’t need a gun or a tank or a bomb to fight this battle, but you definitely need to be equipped.

I was encouraged several years ago to pray these verses every morning to prepare to meet that day’s battles, and although I often neglect to do so, when I do, it makes a world of difference.

The first piece of our armor is the belt of truth. God is the only real truth, and when we put on what Paul calls the "belt of truth," it means we’re going to strive to be truth-tellers—tellers of God’s truth.

Then we’re to put on the breastplate of righteousness. We aren’t righteous on our own. In fact, without Christ, we are fallen, frail, sinful creatures. Yet when we accept the gift of salvation and the forgiveness of our sins, God sees us as righteous, as cleansed, as pure.

In a suit of Roman armor (don’t think about those big metal suits from medieval times!), the breastplate covered from the throat to the hipbones. While arms and legs would remain vulnerable, the vital organs—heart, lungs, stomach—were protected. When we think about putting on the breastplate of righteousness, we are protecting our most vulnerable parts—our emotions. We protect our hearts from the enemy’s lies and the world’s influences. And as we do, we remain clean before our Lord.

Then it’s the shoes that prepare us with the gospel of peace. And where does our peace come from? From the gospel. The "peace that surpasses understanding," as Paul describes in Philippians 4:7, is ours because we know the Giver of peace. We can choose peace, no matter the circumstance.

We’re then to take up the shield of faith. While the breastplate covered the most vulnerable parts of a Roman soldier, the shield covered all of him. We’re not talking about a small handheld shield here. We’re talking about a huge, hide-covered barrier that a soldier could crouch behind and find protection.

Our shield is our very faith, and we must continue to grow in that faith. The Message paraphrase of  Hebrews 11:1, says it like this: Faith is “the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s the handle on what we can’t see.” Faith is trusting God in everything, being confident that He has a perfect plan for each of us. And the Bible tells us that “… without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).        

Then the helmet of salvation. The helmet protects the head, the center of what makes us human. We must be ever-careful of what we put in our heads. The Bible tells us how to keep our minds focused on the right things: “… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Finally, we hold tightly to the sword of the Spirit—the very word of God. I can’t begin to tell you how very important this piece of weapon is for keeping the enemy at bay. If we know His word, if we meditate on His words, we begin to recognize His will, especially those things that are not His will.

We need to meditate, actually feast on His word. God’s word to us should be like bread for our bodies. We should delight in His word (Psalm 1:1, 2). And as we meditate on God’s word, we'll begin to take some words to heart. Memorizing God’s word is a great way to wield that sword.

So I have to ask … are you equipped for today’s battles?

The Battle (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 6:10-12

We’re in a battle folks. A big old, ugly, bloody battle. And it’s not in a foreign land. It’s right on your street. At your work. At your school. Maybe even in your own home.

And we have a pretty powerful enemy. And he doesn’t fight fair. Sometimes he sneaks in under the cover of darkness. Sometimes he launches a full-frontal attack. He and his minions are wandering the world, scheming and planning. Trying to take out as many as they can. And sometimes it seems like they’re winning. And perhaps they are.

But those of us who follow Christ know Who wins the war. Jesus Himself said, “In the world you may have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”(John 16:33). Not I will, but I have. He’s already won the war! And we’re on the winning side.

What we have to do is be prepared for the battle, and Monday, we’ll see how to arm ourselves.

A Command for Employers (Ephesians 6:9)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 6:9

This verse should be written on a sticky note and placed on the desktops of everyone who manages others. Every one.

The verses before commanded those who work for others to work for the Lord, showing good will to others. Bosses should do the very same. They too are working for God, and they too have been placed exactly where they are.

Even more, bosses shouldn’t threaten their employees in any way. They should lead by example and treat their staff members with care and respect. They should show no partiality, but should treat each person equally.

God doesn’t see titles or organizational hierarchy. He doesn’t care if you’re a CEO or a file clerk. You could have a six-figure salary or earn minimum age. You’re all the same to Him.

And so if you’ve been given the privilege of managing others, don’t just manage. Lead. Influence your employees to be all they can be. So they too can serve God in their work

A Command for Workers (Ephesians 6:5-8)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 6:5-8

We in the United States, praise God, no longer adhere to any use of slaves (except for the tragic reality of young women that are brought as sexual slaves, but that’s an entirely different situation and in no way applies here).

However, most of us at one time or another will work for someone else. Unless we’re fortunate to be in business for ourselves, we will rely on someone else for our livelihood. And unfortunately, not all of us will love our jobs. I’ve been blessed to hold some great jobs at great companies, but I have to honestly say, although I (mostly) love what I do now, there have been seasons when I really disliked what I did.

Once when I was living through one of those seasons, I found this verse, and it helped to change my attitude—usually. Paul wrote, “With good will, render service, as to the Lord …” As long as I remembered that God placed me in each working situation, I could have “good will” … and a good attitude.

If you’re working in less-than-ideal circumstances, if you have an inconsiderate—or even tyrannical—boss, if your co-workers stab you in the back even as they smile to your face, remember that God may have put you exactly where you are so you can shine Jesus.

It may not make your situation any easier, but it may just make your life easier.

A Command for Parents (Ephesians 6:4)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 6:4

Yes, as we learned yesterday, children are to obey and honor their parents. But parents have their own commandments.

Paul was writing to fathers, but I think it’s safe to substitute “parents” here. Parents aren’t to “provoke [their] children to anger.” They’re not to mistreat or abuse them. They’re not to neglect them. They’re not to do anything that may cause their children to lash out in anger. They aren’t to instill bitterness.

Instead, they are to instruct them in God’s word, teaching them its truths. They are to model godly behavior. They are to encourage them to spend daily time in God’s word and in prayer, helping them to grow in faith.

Imagine a world where all parents inspired and encouraged their children, and where all children respected and honored their parents. Not only because they’re commanded to do so, but because they genuinely love each other.

Wouldn’t that be peace on earth?

A Command for Children (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 6:1-3

I'm going to be "short and sweet" this morning ... mainly because I'm certainly not an expert on today's topic. God didn’t bless my husband and me with children, and He’s given me incredible peace about remaining childless. And I have to be honest … sometimes I’m a bit relieved I’m not raising a teenager these days.

It seems like many young people today aren’t familiar with this commandment to obey and honor parents. I see disrespect, disobedience, and outright rebellion—even in those who have been raised in Christian homes.

I pray regularly for teens and their parents. I pray they’ll grow strong in faith. That they’ll dwell on things that are pure and true (Philippians 4:8). That they’ll seek God’s will in all things.

And I pray that they will obey and honor their parents.