In 2005, two men in their eighties emerged from the jungle on the island of Mindanao. During the Second World War, they had served in a Japanese tank division fighting American forces but had hidden for sixty years, unaware that the war was over - still in battle mode.
Many Christians have the opposite problem. Those men thought they were at war when peace had come, we can think we’re living in peace when, spiritually speaking, we’re at war.
As Paul brings this letter to the Ephesians to a close, he writes: ‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might’ (Ephesians 6:10). The ‘Finally’ matters. This isn’t a disconnected appendix (although it’s often treated that way), but the climax of everything Paul has been saying. Through Jesus’ death, God has brought us from spiritual death to life, forgiven our sins, adopted us into his family and given us his Spirit. Now, by the power of tthat Spirit, we’re to live out our new identity in everyday life- in our words, relationships, marriages, families, work-places and much more besides.
But remember - we do so in the midst of a spiritual battle. We will therefore need Wartime Awareness, Wartime Armour, and Wartime Communications.
1. Wartime Awareness
Paul is clear - we have an enemy, Satan, and we need to stand against his schemes (6:11–12). This is not a call to physical conflict or religious violence. Christians are to be peacemakers and to speak about Jesus ‘with gentleness and respect’. No, the battle is spiritual.
Satan opposes the gospel. He wants people to remain far from God, not to trust Jesus, and not to know the forgiveness and welcome found through the cross. His tactics often involve deception: making us doubt God’s goodness or question his word, just as he did in the garden of Eden.
We should avoid the two mistakes which often plague Christians when it comes to the forces of darkness. On the one hand, we mustn’t become obsessed with Satan or live in fear of him; Jesus has defeated him. But neither should we dismiss him and forget that we’re in a battle.
Jesus came to defeat evil and rescue people from Satan’s grasp. At the cross, Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities and triumphed over them (Colossians 2:15). His victory is decisive, though the battle continues until he returns. It’s a little like D-Day: the decisive blow had been struck, but the fighting didn’t end in June 1943. The church is now living evidence (like a trophy cabinet!) of Jesus’ victory - the people he has rescued and brought into his family.
2. Wartime Armour
So how do we stand firm? Paul tells us to put on the whole armour of God (6:13). Notice that the aim isn’t to launch an attack on Satan, but simply to withstand his schemes and stand firm in Christ.
All of the armour points us to Jesus.
The background to the imagery Paul chooses here seems to be the prophecy of Isaiah, where God promises a Saviour who will defeat evil and rescue his people. Isaiah says this Saviour will wear righteousness as a belt (Is 11:5) and as a breastplate, with the helmet of salvation on his head (Is. 59:17). He will also bring good news of peace - ‘How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news’ (Is. 52:7). Isaiah also describes the Lord’s servant as having a mouth like ‘a sharpened sword’ (49:2). All these pictures point us to Jesus. He is the righteous and faithful Saviour who brings us peace with God, secures our salvation and defeats the devil through his death and resurrection
Putting on God’s armour therefore means putting on Christ - trusting in him, standing firm in the truth of the gospel and relying on God’s word to combat Satan’s deceptions.
3. Wartime Communications
Finally, Paul calls us to pray ‘at all times in the Spirit’ (6:18). In any conflict, communication is essential - without it, troops and supplies cannot be directed where they are needed. We have access to our heavenly commander at any time, and we can bring him everything - from the biggest concern to the smallest need.
But Paul especially urges prayer for gospel progress - that God’s people would keep speaking about Jesus, and that the message would be proclaimed boldly. This is not only a task for church leaders; Paul asks for prayer for all the saints. We should be praying for people to come to know Jesus and for God to use us in sharing the gospel.yo
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