September 30, 2024 – Ephesians 6 

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. For this reason, take up the full armor of G-d so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace, and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of G-d. With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints. Pray for me also, that I may be given the message when I begin to speak – that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:12–20 

The use of the term “spiritual” for evil forces is somewhat surprising. This is the only time in the New Testament that this word has a negative connotation — the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. More surprising still is that the struggle takes place “in the heavenly realms.” This does not mean a struggle in heaven, nor should we think of an area lower than heaven. Instead Paul is referring to a reality that encompasses life in relation to G-d. When we live in Christ, we have the “gifts of the spirit”, as well as the “fruits of the spirit” listed in Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Those who live in Christ have been given every spiritual gift enthroned with Christ in the heavenly reality. As such, those who live in Christ are to live  doing all we can against the forces of evil on this earth. Our enthronement with Christ then determines how we live on earth. Our struggle reflects the heavenly reality of the “age to come”, which means we struggle against evil powers every day.  

Paul was surely not thinking about structures of evil such as government, law, or social conventions. Rather, he thought of each and every person’s “personal battles of evil” that seek to disrupt life as G-d intended it. This is why we need to put on the full armor of G-d, especially the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. Use the Word of G-d as your personal armor every day. 

Pastor Dave