Dr. John MacArthur’s new book, One Faithful Life, is a harmony of the Apostle Paul’s message and life, weaving together his letters, the book of Acts, and important background information from the Gospels into a seamless narrative. Enjoy this brief excerpt from the study of Ephesians.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. – Ephesians 6:1-13
The true believer Paul described in Ephesians 1-3, who lives the Spirit-controlled life of Ephesians 4:1-6:9, can be sure to be in a spiritual war. Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians with both a warning about that war and instructions on how to win it. The Lord provides His saints with sufficient armor to combat and thwart the adversary. In Ephesians 6:10-13, the Paul briefly sets forth the basic truth regarding the believer’s necessary spiritual preparation as well as truths regarding the enemy, his battle, and his victory. In Ephesians 6:14-17, Paul specifies the 6 most necessary pieces of spiritual armor with which God equips His children to resist and overcome Satan’s assaults.
The Armor of God
Truth (Ephesians 6:14)
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)
having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Peace (Ephesians 6:15)
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Faith (Ephesians 6:16)
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)
And take the helmet of salvation,
The Word of God (Ephesians 6:17)
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…
Paul uses common armor worn by Roman soldiers as the analogy for a believer’s spiritual defense and affirms its necessity if one is to hold his position while under attack.
Ultimately, Satan’s power over Christians is already broken and the great war is won through Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, which forever conquered the power of sin and death. However, in life on earth, battles of temptation go on regularly. The Lord’s power, the strength of His Spirit, and the force of biblical truth are required for victory.
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This was a short excerpt from One Faithful Life by bestselling author and pastor John MacArthur. One Faithful Life is the first-of-its-kind harmony of Paul’s message and life, weaving together Paul’s letters, the book of Acts, and important background information from the Gospels into a seamless, chronological narrative.
