Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. – Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV
Introduction
Most of us have discovered that life is harder than we expected.
What surprises us even more is that many of our greatest battles cannot be seen.
Paul reminds us that the Christian life isn’t lived on a playground—it is lived on a battlefield.
The encouraging news is that God never sends His children into battle without first supplying everything they need.
Big Idea: God doesn’t simply give us strength—He clothes us with it.
I. The Source of Our Strength
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, – Ephesians 6:10-14 ESV
Before Paul mentions armor…He mentions the Lord.
The armor is useless apart from the One who supplies it.
Notice the progression.
Not…
- Be strong in yourself.
- Be strong in your experience.
- Be strong in your personality.
Instead…
- Be strong in the Lord.
Everything begins with dependence.
Jesus said,
“Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Isaiah declared,
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. – Isaiah 40:29 ESV
This has been the theme of our entire series.
God has never asked us to become self-sufficient–He invites us to become Christ-dependent.
Application
Many Christians are spiritually exhausted because they’re trying to fight spiritual battles with natural strength.
God never intended that.
#VirtualAmen: “Self-effort may impress people, but only God’s strength overcomes spiritual battles.”
II. The Supply God Provides
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, – Ephesians 6:14-17 ESV
What does each piece protect?
- Truth protects my mind from deception.
- Righteousness protects my heart from condemnation.
- Peace steadies my feet when life becomes unstable.
- Faith extinguishes fear.
- Salvation guards my identity.
- The Word exposes lies.
Do you see the pattern?
Every attack of Satan is answered by a provision from God.
#VirtualAmen: God never allows Satan to introduce a weapon for which He has not already supplied protection.
Just as God gave the ibex feet designed for mountain terrain…
God gives believers spiritual equipment designed for spiritual battles.
He doesn’t always change the landscape–He equips the traveler.
#VirtualAmen: “God prepares you for the path before He places you on it.”
III. The Strength That Keeps Us Standing
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, … praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. – Ephesians 6:14, 18-20 ESV
Many people think the armor ends with the sword. Paul doesn’t–He ends with prayer.
- Prayer is not another piece of armor.
- Prayer keeps us connected to the One who supplies the armor.
Without prayer…
- Truth becomes information.
- Faith becomes theory.
- The Bible becomes literature.
Prayer turns doctrine into daily dependence.
Paul says…
- Pray continually.
- Pray in the Spirit.
- Pray with perseverance.
- Pray for one another.
- Even Paul asked for prayer.
If the apostle needed God’s strength…
How much more do we?
#VirtualAmen
“Prayer doesn’t prepare us for the greater work. Prayer is the greater work.”
Conclusion
Imagine a Roman soldier preparing for battle.
He doesn’t wake up and casually walk onto the battlefield.
Every morning…
- He intentionally puts on every piece.
- No soldier assumes yesterday’s preparation is enough for today’s battle.
Neither should we.
Tomorrow morning…
- Before you check your phone…
- Before you turn on the news…
- Before you face your family…
- Before you go to work…
Spend time with the One who has already prepared everything you’ll need.
- Be strong in the Lord.
- Put on His provision.
- Pray in His Spirit.
- Stand in His strength.
Then, when the day is over, may it be said of us exactly what Paul desired:
“…having done all, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)
Every morning, heaven has already laid out everything you need for today’s battle. The question isn’t whether God has provided. The question is whether we’ll put it on.