As Christians, we have the divine resource to stand firm in the midst of the destructive relativism of the age: the truth of God as revealed in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (note John 17:17b John 8:31-32).Ĥ. The “belt” that holds the Christian’s “tunic” in place and prepares us for spiritual warfare is “truth.” The point being made: the way you prepare yourself for the assaults of the devil and guard yourself against those assaults is by having a firm connection to the truth of God, knowing the truth and building your life upon it. The instruction is to stand “with truth wrapped around your waist like a belt.” When the loose-fitting tunic was gathered up around the waist and held fast with a belt, the soldier was ready for battle. So then, stand with truth wrapped around your waist like a belt, and clothed with the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14) What instruction does the apostle give us in Ephesians 6:14a (printed below?) What do you think this means? The command also reminds us that we must avail ourselves of Christ’s divine power and victory, a victory ultimately won at Calvary.ģ. If we are to survive in this spiritual conflict, we must rely upon the strength of the Lord we must be “strong in the Lord.” The command, “Be strong in the Lord,” reminds us that we have no strength in ourselves to combat and to conquer the enemy of our souls. What exhortation, or command, does Paul give the Christian in Ephesians 6:10 (printed below?)įinally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty strength. Our struggle is nothing less than a spiritual warfare being waged against us by the devil and all of his hosts (as verse 12 enumerated them).Ģ. Not only are we opposed by a powerful spiritual foe, but one who is extremely cunning, ruthless, and completely anti-moral (note John 8:44). Verse 11 informs us that as Christians we are facing “the schemes of the devil.” These “schemes” refer to the tricks or stratagems of the devil that are intended to ensnare and deceive (compare the clear warning of God recorded in Genesis 2:16-17 with the deceptive insinuations of the devil recorded in Genesis 3:1,4-5). Put on the complete armor of God so that you may be able to withstand the schemes of the devil (12) because our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of evil in the heavenly realms. Of what does the apostle Paul inform us in Ephesians 6:11-12 (printed below?) For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).ġ. Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage.

Ephesians bible study guide pdf