Armor of God (Part 1)
Read: Ephesians 6:10-20
Recently one of our leaders issued a prayer challenge to all of the staff here at Coastal. To help reinforce the challenge, he quoted the passage from Ephesians 6 about the “Armor of God.”
The Lord prompted me to begin a series of devotional posts that would offer some insight into this key part of our lives as Christians. But before we get to chapter 6 regarding the armor, we need to take some time in chapter 5.
In verses 15 to 21, Paul discusses how we ought to relate to one another as members of the body of Christ, the Church.
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
Then in verses 25 to 33, Paul gives a powerful teaching on marriage and the responsibilities of both the husband and wife.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”
Now as we get to chapter 6, we discover that Paul first addresses the right relationship in the home between the parents and their children in verses 1-4.
“Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
And finally, in verses 5-9 he instructs both employees and employers, or in his culture, servants and masters.
“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”
Now, how does the armor of God relate to all these relationships? Because in all human relationships there will be times of tension, anger, love and challenge.
Jesus actually said this in Matthew 10:36: “and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.”
It is critical to observe that in all the relationships that Paul discusses, from the church, the family, and employment, our hearts, our attitudes, and especially our words need to be “speech seasoned with salt,” that is, words that encourage, correct, edify, and yes, even sharpen!
Does not the word declare that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”?
Lord willing, tomorrow as we observe the armor of God, we will discover how it protects, defends and strengthens our Christian walk.
Blessings and prayers,
Pastor Gene
Recently one of our leaders issued a prayer challenge to all of the staff here at Coastal. To help reinforce the challenge, he quoted the passage from Ephesians 6 about the “Armor of God.”
The Lord prompted me to begin a series of devotional posts that would offer some insight into this key part of our lives as Christians. But before we get to chapter 6 regarding the armor, we need to take some time in chapter 5.
In verses 15 to 21, Paul discusses how we ought to relate to one another as members of the body of Christ, the Church.
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
Then in verses 25 to 33, Paul gives a powerful teaching on marriage and the responsibilities of both the husband and wife.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”
Now as we get to chapter 6, we discover that Paul first addresses the right relationship in the home between the parents and their children in verses 1-4.
“Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
And finally, in verses 5-9 he instructs both employees and employers, or in his culture, servants and masters.
“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”
Now, how does the armor of God relate to all these relationships? Because in all human relationships there will be times of tension, anger, love and challenge.
Jesus actually said this in Matthew 10:36: “and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.”
It is critical to observe that in all the relationships that Paul discusses, from the church, the family, and employment, our hearts, our attitudes, and especially our words need to be “speech seasoned with salt,” that is, words that encourage, correct, edify, and yes, even sharpen!
Does not the word declare that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”?
Lord willing, tomorrow as we observe the armor of God, we will discover how it protects, defends and strengthens our Christian walk.
Blessings and prayers,
Pastor Gene
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