336 - A Letter to the Ephesians (Part 3) – Equipped for Battle
- Gwen Diaz
- Dec 2, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 28, 2025
December 2 - Nº 336 Ephesians 6:10-20
Paul was in the middle of writing a letter to the believers in Ephesus. He had just described all the blessings they shared as children of God. Yet there he sat—in a Roman prison, chained to a Roman guard!
Paul knew that the believers he was writing to would soon face difficult times--just as he had throughout his entire ministry. He realized that Satan was not happy that these believers were now sharing the Gospel message in a city that had once been a center for pagan and occult practices. Somehow Paul needed to prepare the Ephesians for battle.
Glancing up from his writing, no doubt Paul could see one of the guards who had been assigned to be his full-time companion (see #333 - November 29). Everyone who lived in the Roman Empire was aware of these soldiers (hopefully not as intimately as Paul was at the moment). Roman guards were stationed in every city, they patrolled every highway, and they enforced every law that Caesar enacted. The Roman army had the best trained soldiers, the best weapons, and the best armor in the world. They went into every battle expecting to win.
Paul decided to use the images his readers had of these powerful warriors to illustrate the way God’s children should be equipped for spiritual battles.
First, he informed the Ephesian believers that they needed to be strong. It wouldn’t matter if they were provided with all the best equipment if they didn’t have the strength or endurance to use it. Paul explained that God was the source of the strength they needed. The better they knew Him, the more power and confidence they would have.
Paul also pointed out that much of Satan's power came from his ability to deceive people. To counteract Satan's strength, the believers needed to be aware of his tricks. Paul informed the Ephesians that God has provided all the equipment they needed to confront Satan’s evil tactics. As believers, they just had to pick it up and put it on!
Then Paul listed each piece of armor that God makes available to His children:
First there is The Belt of Truth: The Roman soldier’s belt had two functions. Not only did it keep all their undergarments in position, it also held their weapons. Paul explained that God’s truth holds everything in place in our lives. It counteracts Satan’s lies and sets us free to fight.
Then there is The Breastplate of Righteousness: Paul explained that our righteousness comes from what Jesus did on the cross when he took our sins and gave us his holiness. Satan’s weapons cannot dent or damage that righteousness. Our hearts and souls are protected by Jesus’ sacrifice.
The soldiers also wore Boots. These boots were meant to protect the soldiers' feet and allow them to bring Peace (instead of War): Paul made it clear that the Gospel gives believers a firm foundation to stand on. It protects us as we march over rough terrain to share with others how they can have peace with God.
In addition, the soldiers carried a shield to fend off any artillery coming in their direction. Our shield as believers is our faith--faith in what Jesus did on the cross. This Shield of Fatih fends of Satan's artillery. Our shield allows us to march forward and take back territory in our lives that he once claimed. He bombards us with fiery emotions to provoke sinful actions. But trusting in Jesus puts out the flames.
On their heads, the soldiers wore a helmet. The knowledge that Jesus saved us by taking our place on the cross is the ultimate protection for our minds. This Helmet of Salvation repels the things that Satan uses to disorient and discourage us. It removes doubt and fills us with hope.
Finally, there was The Sword of the Spirit: The soldiers always carried their swords into battle. God’s Word is our sword. The Bible cuts through all the lies that Satan uses to entice us, and it reveals the Truth. It allows us to discern his evil thoughts and intentions. We need to take the time to know what is in it.
Paul explained that prayer is the key to effectively using each piece of armor that God has provided!
Victory over Satan’s destructive influence in our lives is ultimately dependent on our prayers and our understanding of God’s Word!
Are you ready for battle?
How is your prayer life?
How much time do you spend studying God’s Word?
Comments