Ephesians 6:10-24

Read Ephesians 6:10-24

RAMP: READ / ANALYZE / MEDITATE / PRAY

R: Read the Passage

Can you even believe this is the end of the book?! It is such a beautiful conclusion to all God has shown us through His word and perfect love. As you read, try to read it as a ‘last chapter’ and conclusion, not so much as a new chapter with new info. It’s intended as a wrap-up to alllll we’ve already read and learned.

A: Analyze

1. What does this say about God and/or Jesus Christ?

Let your mind me blown with the truth that God IS the full armor. He doesn’t wear it — He IS it! All the pieces of armor serve the purpose of being God’s actual characteristics — characteristics we have seen and studied in the last five chapters — truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and Spirit.

Think the last verse may be one of my all-time favorites because we see in a very personal remark from Paul how God is worthy of our undying love. Yes and amen.

2. What does this say about you?

Well, it says something about us if we need to gear up for battle, ha! Recognize your weakness and need for God’s covering in this evil, evil world. Evil is no joke and we must be strong, stand firm, be ready and always prayerful. We can’t do this in our own strength — that was never the design or goal. 

3. Is there a command to follow?

An underlying command that the Spirit keeps telling me as I study this passage is to RELY. Submit my weakness and rely on His strength.

4. Is there a sin to repent of? 

Are you fighting your own battles? Trying to muster your own strength? Forgetting the true self of God and assuming you are strong enough to fight against the evils of this world on your own?

5. Is there a promise to claim?

YES! What happens when we live in God’s fullness? We can STAND in the midst of evil. We can STAND when it’s hardest and REMAIN STANDING even if we stand alone.

Nicole’s Notes:

As Paul’s letter concludes, we are reminded of a few very important realities. As Jesus followers, as new creations and as adopted children of God, we must be aware of the world, equipped to live a life worthy of His call and constantly devoted to prayer. This last chapter is a continuation and conclusion of all we know about Jesus Christ — He has divine power that we have access to, He is triumphant over the darkness around us, the ultimate victory is His and He is righteous and holy (and calls/equips us to be, as well).

We must recognize who we are in Jesus Christ and live consistently in that identity with the assurance of all spiritual resources (blessings) we have in Him. Putting on the armor of Christ isn’t a final idea or a new tactic — it is the culmination of living as chosen sons and daughters of Almighty God. Of knowing who we were, what He has done for us and living a life of submission to His lordship. 

Actually, so much of this passage reflects and honors the prophecies of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament describing what the Messiah will ‘wear.’ Take a look at Isaiah 11:5, 42:13, 49:2 and 52:7.

As believers, we stand holy and strong, firm in our identity because HE covers us. We are to put HIM on — to be identified with Him, fight with His strength and display His character. We cannot stand firm apart from Him. That’s idolatry of our own self and strength. We put Him on and stand firm in Him. 

In this passage, we see the need for both a defensive awareness and offensive approaches in Paul’s final rally to believers:

Defensive Awareness: 

1. Know your enemy and be aware of his schemes. Don’t confuse the enemy with his tactics or strategies, and don’t belittle his strength. He’s the ultimate enemy and he doesn’t play nice. Focus your defense in the right places — not at people or situations, but at him — the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Eph. 2:2).

2. Be ready. But not with angry words, attacks or tricks of your own. Verse 15 tells us have a readiness which comes from peace. As someone who’s biggest ‘fear’ is to be unprepared, this hits me hard. Our readiness comes from a place of security, not insecurity. We are secure in HIM, and He is peace. Our readiness, our preparedness for the battle, must come from a place of security in His peace.

Offensive Approaches:

1. Know what you need — HIM. The best defense is a strong offense, and you must know what you’re working with (sorry, but you are not offering much in your own strength). You basically need it all. You need all of Him. Get it by pursuing Him, living a life that honors His work in your life and praying big prayers for immeasurably more than you could ask or imagine. 

2. Devote yourself to prayer:

• Pray for wisdom, knowledge and enlightenment of Eph. 1:17-19

• Pray to the God of peace in Eph. 2:4

• Kneel in pray with a heart of surrender and awe from Eph. 3:14

• Pray with belief for Eph. 3:16-19

• Pray with confidence to the God of Eph. 3:20

• Pray for His characteristics in Eph. 4:2-3

• Pray for a new heart with new desires and a new mind that relies on new Power (His). Eph. 4:22-24

• Pray for God’s wisdom and people of wisdom to guide your new life. Eph. 5:15-17

• Pray with thanksgiving to build strength against sneaky sins. Eph. 5:19-20

• Pray with the goal of deeper reverence for our God, which leads to submission to others. Eph. 5:21

In Paul’s final words to the Ephesians, he asks for prayer. What a guy. He has one goal and he is humble enough to ask for the prayers of his friends so he can live a life fully in line with God’s work. Do you share that with Paul? Do you have such a deep desire for your life to matter in the kingdom that you will pray verse 19 for yourself? Whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador. Pray I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we love with an undying love (verse 24) doesn’t 'need' us to do our part. He created us to do our part for His glory and the good of our days and has invited us on His mission. He’s capable on His own and He does all the saving. Yet, in His great love for us, He who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our sins. Not for us to sit around, but for us to live a life worthy of the calling, to grasp the enormity of his love, to be like God in true righteousness and holiness, to imitate Him, to live a life of love, to live as a child of the light, to make the most of every opportunity and to submit to each other out of reverence for Him. 

Thank you, God, for your word. Thank you for your work. Thank you for love. Thank you for giving me new life and for giving me a purpose for which to live. 

M: Meditate

Instead of analyzing each piece of armor listed in this passage, take time to consider where you may not be fully covered by Him. Where are your weak places? What areas are exposed to the tricks of the enemy? Which places do you feel are strong enough on their own — due to your experience, education, personality, etc. 

In an offensive approach to the enemy, begin (or continue) sharing the mystery of the gospel fearlessly. You know it! You’ve now studied it and you are equipped with His word, His Spirit and His power. Your confidence over the last two months has grown tremendously as you’ve seen who God has called you to be and how He has equipped you with all you need to live fully in your calling. You’ve been equipped to do all He has created you for and all He has prepared for you to do. Get to the doing! 

P: Pray

Years ago, one of my deepest and dearest friends shared her prayers from this passage with me. She is a gifted writer and has a powerful relationship with the Lord. She had been studying Ephesians and the Spirit gave her these “Prayers for Daily Dressing in God’s Armor.” It’s an honor for me to share them with you, as they have been transformative for me over the years:

• That my feet would go where God takes me and keep me out of the places I do not belong. That I would have the wisdom and discernment to recognize each of these situations.

• That I would have the strength and endurance to persevere even when I feel weak and weary, or unequipped.

• That I would seek forgiveness and reconciliation for every thought, word or deed that does not reflect what Christ has done in my life.

• That my hands would be about joyful service for God, and the people I touch may feel His love for them.

• That I would have a heart for loving others, particularly those who are unloved by others.

• That my mouth is an instrument of peace rather than a noise that creates more intolerance and hate.

• That my mind is focused on complete union with the Father. That no corner is left available to fill with things that do not pour out of a committed relationship with Him. That my attitude is positive and hopeful, and is a light in a dark world.

Devote yourself to prayer. Thank God for who He is. Thank God for being the armor we need and can put on.