Spiritual warfare is a very real reality for Christians. Though Satan’s power has been defeated and his future is doomed (Revelation 20:7-15), he lives in the present. He still schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). He still stalks (1 Peter 5:8). He still deceives (Revelation 12:9). He still ensnares (2 Timothy 2:26). He still hinders (1 Thessalonians 2:18). He still tempts (Ephesians 6:16). The thought of spiritual warfare scares many believers; however, the focus of spiritual warfare isn’t Satan, it’s Jesus and each piece of the armor comes from our Savior. As Jesus gave his apostles the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), He didn’t send them out alone. We aren’t alone either as God equips us (Ephesians 4:7-16), He empowers (1 Corinthians 12:11) and He accompanies (Matthew 28:20) as we engage in the spiritual warfare battles. Ephesians 6:10-12 instructs believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God in order to stand firm against the devil’s schemes. What is the full armor of God?
The first two pieces of the armor are the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness. The belt of belt is a defensive piece as Satan fights with lies. Lies so go that it sounds like the truth. By focusing on God’s truth in his Word, we can defeat Satan’s lies. When we have genuine faith in the truth of God’s word we can recognize Satan’s lies that would otherwise defeat us. As believers, we need to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We need not to cover sins but confess them. We need not to slander but speak with honest words. The breastplate of righteousness is to protect our hearts. Satan will attack our hearts as the seat of our emotions, our self-worth and trust. However, in Christ, we have a new identity as a new creation with the old gone and the new has come in its place (2 Corinthians 5:17). We can stand confidently in Christ’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) rather than adopt worldly identities (Kell, 2021). The world would point out my every flaw and tell me how I am unworthy. However, I know that by Christ’s sacrifice, by his resurrection and by my faith, God reminds me that I am His child (1 John 3:1).
The next two pieces of the armor are the footgear of readiness and the shield of faith. The footgear of readiness is for us to be prepared to spread the Good News. Being ready in the word and protecting our feet as we go out in the world, we can protect ourselves against compromise as Satan wants us to believe that telling others the Good News is worthless and hopeless; however, the footgear of God gives us the motivation to continue to proclaim the true peace that is available in God. This is where I struggle in my personal life. I fear saying the wrong thing or being unable to proficiently tell others about the Good News and counter the skepticism. The shield of faith protects from Satan’s attacks in the form of insults, setbacks and temptations. The shield protects and reminds us that with God’s perspective, we can see beyond our circumstances and the ultimate victory is ours. 1 Peter 4:12-14 says “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though suffering strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests on you.”
The final two pieces of the armor are the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit. The helmet of salvation is protection of our minds. Satan wants us to doubt God, to doubt Jesus and doubt our salvation. We are to protect our minds with the peace of God (Philippians 4:7). The peace of God is not the power of positive thinking. It is not that everything in a believer’s life will be peaceful. The peace of God is that despite the struggles, despite the pain, despite the conflict, we can know that God is in control (Proverbs 19:21, Colossians 1:17) and he will not leave us behind (Hebrews 13:5). The sword of the Spirit is the only piece of the armor that is an offensive weapon. The sword is the Word of God for when we need to be on the offensive. Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword” The pieces of the armor may sound an odd metaphor for us in this modern age. However, the armor metaphor would have been very familiar to the original audience among the early Christians (Winger, 2023). The illustration of the full armor reminds believers of Isaiah’s warrior King: the belt of truth (Isaiah 11:1-5), shoes to pronounce the gospel (Isaiah 52:1-10), breastplate and helmet (Isaiah 59:17), and sword (Isaiah 49:1-6).
This armor is still important to us today as believers. Every part of the armor is easy to remember to put on except the footgear and sometimes I forget to pick up my sword. As I mentioned before, I struggled with sharing the gospel for fear of saying the wrong and pushing someone further away from God. Sometimes it is more than fear, we get busy and forget our armor, letting our guard down. However, when we falter, we can cry out to God and he will not allow us to be taken from Him (John 10:28), he will restore our souls (Psalm 23:1-3) and in Jesus, we are strengthened to go back into battle (Romans 16:20) (Kell, 2021). Calling out to God when we are weak reminds me of the Twila Paris song The Warrior is a Child (1984). It is a favorite song of mine to remind myself that despite my showing outward strength, I still need the comforting calm of my Lord and Savior. It is a song that never fails to bring me to tears as I am comforted in the knowledge that I do not go through this life alone. I know the Lord of all Creation is beside me, encouraging me, guiding me and even smiling down on me. Every day, my heart prays that I am doing a good job in His name as a wife, a mother, a believer in a world that continues to push him aside.
In conclusion, the full armor of God are the tools every believer uses to fight in the spiritual battles that we can face every day. The majority of the pieces are for defense to protect our minds and our hearts. To shield us from the enemy’s attacks. Our offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Even when the world rejects the authority of the Word of God, God reminds us in Jeremiah 8:9, “The wise will put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?” And when people reject us as believers, and this is something I need to remind myself quite often, we need to remember that they are not rejecting us but God. 1 Thessalonians 4:8 says “Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” So believers, arm yourself with the Word of God and put on the full armor and prepare for battle.
The Shunammite Woman is a story of a wealthy woman who was capable, generous and hospitable to the travelers who would pass by her home. She would show great kindness to one of God’s prophets. Her greatest sorrow would give rise to her greatest joy. She and her husband were childless. Unlike other childless women, i.e. Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Tamar and Hannah, she seemed to be content being childless and providing for the travelers on the road. She would experience great sorrow and yet experience the depth of God’s faithfulness. Her story is told between 2 Kings 4:8-37. What is her story? How is hospitality important to her story and to us? What is the power of hope?
A few miles north of Jezreel, a wealthy Jewish woman keeps sharp eyes on the travelers who travel the road from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah, frequented the road outside her house. One day, she invites him to stay for a meal. She and her husband set up a small room on the roof of their home for Elisha to use whenever he was in the area. Moved by her kindness, he wanted to do something for her. Gehazi, his servant, pointed out that the couple was aging and childless. Elisha tells the woman that within a year, she will hold a son in her arms. She is shocked and refuses to hope. Yet one year later, that promise is fulfilled and she holds her son. A few years later, the boy became sick and died. The woman carried the boy to Elisha’s room, laying him on the bed and closed the door. She, then, travels to Mount Carmel, hoping to find Elisha. When she finds him, she falls to his feet and says, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?” (2 Kings 4:28). Elisha travels to the woman’s home and finds the boy, still and cold. He laid across the boy’s body and prayed three times. Soon, the boy’s body grew warm, his chest raised and he sneezed. Elisha returns the boy to his grateful mother.
Hospitality played an important role in the cultures of the Middle East. Desert travel was strenuous. When travelers came to a town or village, they would wait for an invitation to rest at someone’s home. If no invitation came, they would sleep outside. Hosts were expected to feed and provide sleeping arrangements but also provide protection from robbery and harm. In the Old Testament, there are countless examples of hospitality. Abraham and the three strangers (Genesis 18:1-15), Rebekah offering water to a traveler and his camels (Genesis 24:15-21). Solomon had daily provisions for visitors (1 Kings 4:22) to list a few. In the New Testament, there are verses that remind believers to be hospitable. Romans 12:13 says to share with those in need and “practice hospitality.” My favorite verse is Hebrews 13:2, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” The idea of entertaining angels is an occurrence that happened often in the Old Testament. Hospitality and entertaining is simply making others feel comfortable and at home. It doesn’t always mean to open your home; however, it could mean engaging in a conversation with the person who seems to be left out. It’s being aware of your neighbors and inviting a few, as a group or individuals, over for coffee and conversation.
Her story is also a story of the power of hope. Did Elisha’s promise of a son reveal an unspoken hope of her heart? Did she hear about Elijah raising the son of the widow (1 Kings 17:8-24)? Did she hope for a miracle? Hope is a feeling of optimism, a desire for something good or better will happen. Isaiah 40:31 says “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” As humans, even with our strengths, we get tired. But God’s power and strength will never diminish. He will never be too tired or too busy to listen and help. His strength can be the source of our strength. In our weakest moments, we can call on, hope in the Lord and we can be renewed. One of my favorite songs that illustrates this hope and strength in God is Twila Paris’ The Warrior is A Child (1984). It is a song with a powerful imagery of a believer who is tired and runs to the Father for comfort, strength and encouragement. 1 Peter 1:3-9 talks about the living hope believers have in Jesus Christ. When someone utters “I hope so,” there’s a bit of uncertainty in that phrase. But a living hope is fertile. It is fruitful and productive. A living hope has power and produces changes in one’s life.
In conclusion, the story of the Shunammite Woman is an example of hospitality, faith and hope. She was a generous and giving woman. She was a woman who had a desire to care for others. She provided for Elisha above and beyond what was socially expected. When her son became ill and died, she turned to Elisha with faith in the hopes that God would bring him back to life. Hope is a powerful thing. It is a light in a world of darkness. It is what keeps the fight going. Believers have an eternal hope in Jesus Christ. A hope that has power and confidence. A hope that can give us strength to fight the good fight and keep going against all odds.
This month’s study was on the books of Galatians and
Ephesians. In Paul’s letter to the Galatian church, he writes to refute the
claims of some teachers, who taught that Gentile believers had to follow Jewish
law in order to be saved. As well as to call Christians to faith and freedom in
Christ. In his letter to the Ephesian church, Paul writes to strengthen the
believers in Ephesus in their Christian faith by explaining the nature and
purpose of the church, the body of Christ. I will focus on his instructions to
wives and husbands as well as his imagery of the full armor of God in order to
fight of spiritual battles.
In Galatians 3:1-14, Paul writes about the importance of
faith over the Law. The Galatians were being influenced by teachers called Judiazers
who claimed that the Law still had to be followed. Paul stresses that believers
received the Spirit through faith not by observance of the Law. In verses 2 and
5, he repeats the same question, did the believers receive the Spirit by observance
of the law or by believing the message that they heard? By asking these
questions, Paul wanted to remind them, and us, that faith is founded in Christ,
not the law. We grow spiritually because of God’s work in us by his Spirit, not
by following special rules. The reasons that the Galatians felt they still
needed to follow the law is the same way people today still believe there needs
to be special rules to follow. Receiving God’s Spirit and blessings by faith
alone is too simple, too easy. While studying the Bible, prayer and service in
the church helps us grow, they do not take the place of the Holy Spirit which
we all receive at the moment of acceptance. Paul even brings up Abraham who
many agreed kept the law and therefore received salvation. However, Abraham was
a man of faith and preceded the law by generations. So how can Abraham be a man
of the law when the law hadn’t been written yet? (verses 6-9). Christ died to
rid the curse of the law as breaking even one commandment condemned someone
(Deuteronomy 27:26). Paul continues his argument that if righteousness and
salvation were achieved by observance of the law, then Christ died for nothing
(Galatians 2:21). Would God send his only Son to die for us if his death was
meaningless? Therefore, the law is importance to know as it helps be moral compass;
however, it is not the source of our salvation. Faith and faith alone in Christ
is.
In Galatians 5:19-26, Paul lists acts of a sinful nature and
tells readers that those who live in these acts will not inherit the kingdom of
God. He says these acts are obvious (i.e. sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, jealousy,
etc.) (verse 19-21). He then terms his attention to the Fruit of the Spirit, by
products, acts as one lives for God. These acts are just as obvious: love, joy,
peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (verse 22).
These acts are characteristics found in the nature of Christ. We obtain these
traits by imitating him, loving him and knowing him. As a result, we fulfill
the intended purpose of the law: to love God and our neighbors. A person who
exhibits these fruits fulfills the law far better than a person who observes
the rituals but has little love in his heart for God or others. Paul warns us
in verses 24 and 25 that we have crucified our sinful natures with Christ;
however, we still have the capacity to sin which is why we need to stay in step
with the Spirit and commit daily (emphasis
mine) to rid ourselves of our sinful natures. Daily crucify our sinful natures and draw on the Spirit’s power to
overcome them. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the
Spirit” (verse 25). His final words are: “Let us not become conceited, provoking
and envying each other” (verse 26). After speaking about the fruit of the
Spirit and committing ourselves to walking with the Spirit, why would Paul end
with a statement like that? As humans, we are social creatures and we often
seek approval of others. And when we seek the approval of others, rather than
God’s approval, we become conceited and envious. Keep your eyes on God and you
won’t need the approval of others. I also want to mention that there are some
Christians who become so confident in their relationship with God that they
become conceited and forget that they too were once a broken person who reached
out for God for salvation. Remember where and who you were when you accepted
Christ’s gift of salvation as you deal with others who need him too.
In Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul turns his attention to wives and
husbands and gives instructions on how they should act with each other. First,
he addresses the wives. He tells them to submit to their husbands (verse 22).
The dreaded word “submit.” It has been misinterpreted and misused throughout history
and even in today’s modern times. Submitting to one’s husband does not mean
being a doormat or a slave. For a wife to submit to her husband means to be
willing to follow her husband’s leadership. A husband is the spiritual leader
of the family just as Christ is the spiritual leader of the church (verse 24).
A wise and Christ honoring husband does not take advantage of his leadership role
and a wise and Christ honoring wife will not try to undermine her husband’s
leadership. While Paul instructs wives in two verses, he has much more to say
to husbands. He instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the
church (verse 25). He is to love his wife as he loves himself (verse 28) and
unite with her to become one flesh (verse 31). Uniting as one flesh isn’t just through
sex, it also includes being of one mind and discuss any disagreements. For example,
with my husband and I, we discuss everything together: money, budget, our
children’s education and discipline, etc. My husband listens to and considers
my position and opinions, while I accept that as the head of our family, he has
the final say in any decision and we usually come to an equal agreement on many
topics; however, sometimes, as the leader, he may decide something different.
Going back to verses 25 and 28, how should a husband love his wife? First, he
should be willing to sacrifice everything for her as Christ did for the church
(verse 25). Second, he should make her well-being a priority as Christ did for
the disciples (verses 26-27). Third, a husband should care for her as he cares
for his own body (verse 28-29). With a husband who does these three things as
Christ as his example, no wife needs to fear submitting to her husband’s
leadership.
In Ephesians 6:10-18, near the end of his letter, Paul
discusses the armor of God for protection against the devil’s schemes (verse
11). These schemes could come in the form of unseen forces or as the attacks
from nonbelievers. First, the belt of truth (verse 14) helps us remember God’s
truth and defeat Satan’s lies. Second, the breastplate of righteousness (verse
14) to protect our hearts which safeguards our emotions, self-worth and trust.
The breastplate reminds us that God loves us and sent his Son to die for us.
Third, the footgear of the gospel of peace (verse 15) is the motivation and
readiness to spread the Good News of Christ and the peace found with him.
Fourth, the shield of faith (verse 16) to protect ourselves from Satan’s
attacks. These attacks come in the form of insults, setbacks and temptations.
The shield of faith reminds us of God’s promise of love and salvation. Fifth,
the helmet of salvation (verse 17) protects our minds from doubts about God,
Jesus and our salvation. Lastly, the sword of the Spirit (verse 17), as the
only weapon of offense in the armor of God, it is the Word of God. Our best weapon
against spiritual attacks and helps the other pieces of armor do their part to
protect us. Along with putting on the full armor of God, we are to pray on all
occasion and with all prayers and requests. We are to be alert and pray for all
the saint (other believers the ones we know as well as those around the world)
(verse 18). The image of the full armor of God reminds me of a song by Twila
Paris called The Warrior is a Child. In
the song, the narrator discusses being a child who runs to God when the battles
become too much to fight. We came to the Father for rest, comfort and encouragement
as we go through life fighting battles for God.
In conclusion, the letters to the Galatian and Ephesian
churches are filled with importance lessons. I just touched on a few. Our
salvation does not depend on the observance of the law but rather with faith in
Christ. A true believer and follower of Christ can be identified by the fruit
of the Spirit he displays in his life. Wives are to submit to their husbands,
while husbands are to love his wife as Christ loved the church. Believers are
called to put on the full armor of God in order to defend ourselves against the
attacks against spiritual forces as well as fight battles against those who
fight against God.
