(This is an opening section of a new book manuscript under production entitled, Stand Firm: And Other Two Word Meditations on The Whole Armor of God. Reader comments on content and style are invited.)
The book of Ephesians is a masterful presentation on the Christian life, told in two parts. The first part, in chapters 1-3, describes the basis for what the Bible calls salvation, and new life through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul makes it very clear that this salvation is brought about by God’s grace and the faith of the individual in Jesus Christ, rather than by good works, or hard work, or “being good enough.” A recurring theme of the first half of this letter is that this basis for salvation applies both to Jews, and to non-Jews. God invites all—to be part of the same ‘body—and both receive salvation by the same means, which is grace and faith, rather than works and law.
In the second half, chapters 4-6, Paul lays out a description of how these believers should live. Now that the basis for salvation has been clearly described and achieved, as he describes in chapters 1-3, he says here is how to conduct oneself in a range of activities and relationships. Right at the end of the letter, he begins 6:10 with: “A final word.” And then he describes how believers in Jesus Christ, living within a group, or ‘body’ of fellow believers, are to conduct themselves in the face of deliberate, orchestrated and potentially destructive spiritual conflict.
Paul does not take time to try to convince his readership that the Enemy of the believers (who is known by various names) is real. In fact, earlier in the letter, in (2:2), Paul describes how the believers in Ephesus “used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” Paul describes how this real Enemy, Satan, has a plan to attack and interfere with the Body of Christ. He further mentions that if we hold unresolved anger, we “give a foothold to the Devil” (4:27). This short book of meditations is an attempt to help the reader to become more aware of the conflict, and take steps to resist and stand firm.
C.S. Lewis described in his masterpiece The Screwtape Letters how the Devil’s main job is to convince the followers of Jesus that the Devil himself is not even real. If he can do that, then believers won’t fight and stand against him. Why would they fight someone who does not exist? For Paul, the Enemy is real, and attacking, and the believers are instructed on how to respond.
This passage, Ephesians 6:10-17 (and I include verse 18), has been the subject of much writing and discussion in the Body of Christ. It cannot be handled quickly with any meaningful depth. I recall as a young pastor announcing my topic for the day, “The Whole Armor of God.” I was ready to describe in detail the battle and armor! Attempting this in a 30-minute sermon time was an unforced error, an unanticipated mistake. After a brief and necessary introduction, I began to name each piece and describe. Listeners shifted noticeably in their seats. If I had been attempting to make one main point, that might have elicited a different and more engaging response. However, I was heaping multiple points on top of each other, squeezing the text for all it was worth. They were already mentally checking out not far into this life-changing study! I can only imagine they were thinking, “What time is the Falcons-Rams kickoff after church?” I was stuck, seeking a solution on short order, sort of like a driver sitting in a broken down car in an intersection. He would no doubt like to exit the situation, post-haste, but feels helpless to do so. I limped to a merciful conclusion.
If it’s any consolation, it is possible to go to the other extreme. John Stott quoted the Puritan minister William Gurnall of England. Stott’s copy of the 8th edition of Gurnall’s work on these 11 verses covers 1,472 pages! After a reasonable main title The Christian in Complete Armour, Gurnall penned the following as his sub-title. (Might be fun to read aloud. A deep breath suggested before doing so.) The saints’ war against the Devil, wherein a discovery is made of that grand enemy of God and his people, in his policies, power, seat of his empire, wickedness, and chief design he hath against the saints; a magazine opened, from whence the Christian is furnished with spiritual arms for the battle, helped on with this armour, and taught the use of his weapon; together with the happy issue of the whole war.
This which is before you is a more moderate and humble approach! May you experience God’s grace as you read and meditate.
After the 20 two-word meditations that I present, I conclude with two examples of personal spiritual conflict engagement that my wife and I have been involved in. They are stories of how this real, spiritual conflict was personally experienced in some dramatic ways. However, I am convinced that the conflict is ongoing against the Body of Christ at times in less dramatic ways, though just as real. How aware are we? A couple of other testimonies are also included to illustrate the dimensions of this spiritual conflict.
I’ve been walking on this path of discovery of the meaning of this text for many years. However, I am quite aware that I don’t have all the wisdom and knowledge needed on this topic! I covet your insights and instruction that you can share with me from thoughts that arise from your reading of these pages.
Freddy Boswell 