Standing Firm

“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 (NASB)

As the book of Ephesians draws to a close, the apostle Paul ends with a warning. He tells us that we have an enemy, and indeed it’s the serpent of old, Satan. Moreover, we’re up against not just Satan, but a whole host of demons that work for him—“against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). He doesn’t tell us this to scare us; he tells us so we’ll know what to do in light of this reality. And this is what we’re told to do: “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (6:11).

It’s often said that Paul was likely chained to a Roman guard when he wrote this letter to the Ephesians, hence the “armor” metaphor. This is how he describes it:

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with
the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with the 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” (Ephesians 6:14-17 NIV).

Thus, if we had a checklist to determine whether we’re prepared to withstand the enemy’s schemes, truth would top the list. The word of God should dwell richly within us (Colossians 3:16). If we have a regular discipline of Bible study, we have a ready storehouse of protection. But if we don’t know what God has said, we are easily deceived. We will fall prey to believing something that sounds like what God has said or something that sounds “spiritual.” We might believe lies about ourselves or our circumstances. If we believe anything that’s not of God, we’ve been taken in by the enemy’s schemes. Often I pray specifically for God to strip me of error and plant me solely and firmly in the truth of the Bible. It’s also key to walk in truth and integrity in our own dealings.

Righteousness is next on that checklist. I find it a healthy spiritual habit to continually assess whether I am walking with clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:4). Have I been obedient to the Lord? Have I repented of my sins? When the enemy comes against me, whether through doubt, fear, outright persecution, or something else, my protection is sure if, by God’s power, I’ve been walking uprightly.

Having my “shoes of peace” is also on that list. Knowing that I’m at peace with God and one with God gives me a godly confidence in whatever He has called me to do, no matter the opposition. And that shield of faith is a must. Some days it seems the enemy fires one thing after another at me, trying to discourage and deflate me, but if I take up my shield, I’m protected. That shield represents God’s faithfulness and His promises. It represents a decision to believe God and act in faith, despite what I see.

That same mindset is needed to “take the helmet of salvation.” When the enemy tries to defeat us, he will often accuse us and call into question our relationship with God. He wants us to feel alone and even depressed. But that’s the time to think about the blessings Ephesians tells us about. He’s already saved us and seated us in heavenly places. And we can trust Him to be with us in any circumstance.

Finally, that sword is a mighty weapon on the checklist. In trying situations, we need to know the exact verses that speak to what we’re dealing with. Those verses allow us to slay with precision the lies of the enemy, as Jesus did when the enemy tempted Him in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).

So what do we do once we’re fitted with our armor? We stand firm.

“Okay,” you might be saying, “ stand firm and then what?”

I’m glad you asked. Stand firm and watch the Lord. When we’re walking in obedience, He’s the one who fights for us. And He’s awesome in battle. We’ll explore that next week.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your armor. I pray to put it on daily. Help me to recognize the schemes of the enemy, to resist him, and to stand firm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.