Military Photos

Ephesians 6:10-18

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As we finish up the book of Ephesians, we’re looking at it as if it is a photo album of the Christian life. And here we have the military pictures. Maybe you see that sometimes where you see the aunt or the uncle, you see some of the pictures, maybe from from years and years ago, the black and white photos of them in their uniform as they’re going out and serving their country. Well, here, the Apostle Paul tells us what the Christian uniform looks like and what Christian warfare looks like. This is our life. Verse 10 of chapter 6 says.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

We get to see what the Christian life is. So much of the time it’s warfare, it’s a battle. And the battle is coming from outside of us and from within us. And it’s a spiritual battle, isn’t it? It’s against the devil’s schemes, it’s not against flesh and blood, but it’s these temptations inside and out, tempting us to drift away from God.

So put on your armor, get dressed,

Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)

And then Paul goes on to say, What is what are these pictures look like? What are we wearing? And he compares it to what a Roman foot soldier would be wearing.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:14-18)

When you look at these pictures of the Christian life, know that the Christian life is a struggle and it’s dangerous and it’s a battle. The battle is real, but the battle is good. If you’re still fighting, it means you haven’t gone and you haven’t given up that Christ is with you. And look at what he’s given you to defend yourself. His Holy Word, the full armor of God, the belt of truth, knowing that God’s word is actually true. The breastplate of righteousness, knowing that Jesus was righteous and perfect in your place. And he protects you with his perfection. Feet fitted with readiness that wants to go and share the Gospel that gave you peace and will give peace to others. The shield of the Christian faith all that we’ve learned from the word of God, which protects us again and takes out, extinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one. You have a helmet covering your head that is salvation. Jesus rescuing you from sin and death. And then God gives you an offensive weapon. The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.

Get back into this word. Pick up your sword. Learn to use your sword so that you can fight these temptations and stand strong in the Lord. And then pray.