"Why does Paul end his letter to the Ephesians this way? He does so because he understands that on this side of forever, life is war. When he tells his readers to put on gospel armor and get ready for war, Paul is not introducing a new topic; no, he’s summarizing everything he’s said so far. Every directive he has given—that is, every application of what it means to live in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ—must be lived out in the context of a great spiritual battle. What is this war about? It is the great war for the rulership of our hearts. With sin still living inside of us, we are still torn between our love for the claustrophobic little kingdom of self and the grand and glorious purposes of the kingdom of God. We still are tempted to want our own way and to write our own rules. We still tend to value comfort and pleasure more than we love redemption. We are tempted to have more excitement in the things of this world than we do with the reality that we have become the children of God. We still complain when sanctifying trials come our way and we still tend to credit God with faithfulness only when things in our lives seem to be working. This great spiritual war is not the rare, exotic experience of demons dancing on the table that we often think it is. No, it is the constant battle for our hearts that will rage between God and a seductive and deceptive enemy until that enemy is under the foot of Jesus." -Paul Tripp

The Point: Our identity in Christ is to cause us to stand firm in an evil world.

1) We have an adversary

"11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" -Ephesians 6:11

"9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers[b] has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. 15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. 16 But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea." -Revelations 12:9-17

"10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." -John 10:10

"8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." -1 Peter 5:8

2) We are at war

"12 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." -Ephesians 6:12

"3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." -2 Corinthians 4:3-4

1) Remember God's power

"10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. -Ephesians 6:10

"19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come." -Ephesians 1:19-21

"14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities[a] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." -Colossians 2:14-15

"14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." -Hebrews 2:14-15

2) Put on the Armor

"11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 13 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." -Ephesians 6:11, 13

The Armor:

1. Belt of Truth
2. "14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness," -Ephesians 6:14
3. "25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." -Ephesians 4:25
4. Breastplate of Righteousness
5. "14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness." -Ephesians 6:14
6. Shoes of Peace
7. "15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." -Ephesians 6:15
8. Shield of Faith
9. "16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;" -Ephesians 6:16
10. "Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." -Proverbs 30:5
11. Helmet of Salvation
12. "17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," -Ephesians 6:17
13. "23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds," -Ephesians 4:23
14. Sword of the Spirit
15. "17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," -Ephesians 6:17
16. "3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”" -Matthew 4:3-4

3) Pray

"18 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, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." -Ephesians 6:18-20

4) Love Jesus above everything else

"23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible." -Ephesians 6:23-24

"3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ." -2 Corinthians 11:3

"When you get to this final part of Paul’s letter, it’s tempting to think that he has entirely changed the subject. No longer, it seems, is he talking about everyday Christianity. But that’s exactly what he’s talking about. He is saying to the Ephesian believers, “You know all that I’ve said about marriage, parenting, communication, anger, the church, and so on—it’s all one big spiritual war.” Paul is reminding you that at street level, practical, daily Christianity is war. There really is moral right and wrong. There really is an enemy. There really is seductive and deceptive temptation. You really are spiritually vulnerable. But he says more. He reminds you that by grace you have been properly armed for the battle. The question is, will you use the implements of battle that the cross of Jesus Christ has provided for you?" -Paul Tripp