Diving Into Ephesians
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Ephesians 6:12
“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.”
Our battles as believers are not physical battles, but spiritual. We do not wrestle with what we can see, but with what we cannot see. The forces of evil of which Paul mentioned in this verse are where our true battles await.
“He said, ‘Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’” 2 Kings 6:16
The Old Testament records an account of when the King of Syria was at war with God’s people, Israel. The King of Syria wanted to attack Israel, but God told the prophet Elisha multiple times of the King of Syria’s plans. Elisha shared what God had told him with the King of Israel. This enraged the King of Syria and he sought to kill the prophet Elisha. The King of Syria and his army, with horses and chariots, surrounded the city in which Elisha lived, intending to kill him. Elisha’s servant saw it and was fearful. This did not concern Elisha, because he had eyes to see what the servant could not. He knew God would protect them.
“Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’ So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17
“Then Elisha prayed.” Elisha used his spiritual weapon, prayer, to win a physical battle. Elisha knew his battle was not with flesh and blood, it was not with the King of Syria. Elisha knew the mighty forces of God were greater than the army of the King of Syria. God answered Elisha’s prayer and the servant’s eyes were opened to the unseen forces of God. The King of Syria tried to attack, but was thwarted and eventually “did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.” (2 Kings 6:23b) Elisha and his servant were protected. From God’s point of view, taking into account the unseen army of God, the King of Syria was no threat at all.
As believers and followers of Christ, we must be aware of the battles going on in the unseen realm, and we must use our spiritual weapons to fight against these very real, though unseen, spiritual forces of evil.
Ephesians 6:13
“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.”
As believers, it is necessary that we recognize the spiritual battle that we are in and walk the Christian life properly equipped. As Paul previously mentioned, we need to gain our strength from the Lord. Paul again mentioned that we must take up the whole armor of God. The reason for doing this is so we can stand strong. If we are not discerning situations by prayer and going to Scripture, we may fall. May we use our spiritual armor so that we may stand strong and not fall.
“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
May we not be led astray from a “sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” In this passage to the Corinthians, Paul told them to watch out for false teachers, for anyone who preaches a different Jesus, or a different gospel. A false teacher may lead one away from the truth. Anything that differs from the truth found in the Bible is an untrue gospel, and anyone who preaches contrary to the Word of God is a deceiver. Paul considered these people to be servants of Satan. (2 Corinthians 11:15) We must be very careful to test anything we hear against the Word of God. In doing so we can hold to and maintain our pure devotion to Christ. We must stand firm in our faith and in the truth of the Word of God.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” 1 Timothy 6:10
The love of money and a desire for earthly riches or power is another reason people wander from the faith and do not stand firm. Jesus recognized the power that money can have over the believer and said that “you cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24b) As followers of Christ, we must keep our focus on Him and the heavenly Kingdom, and not on money and earthly riches.
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About the Book
This is a devotional that truly dives into God’s Word. Going through the book of Ephesians, there is a devotion for every verse. In keeping with Biblical text, as does the book of Ephesians, this devotional explains what it means to be a follower of Christ and helps us to understand the spiritual benefits we have as children of God. It instructs in the Biblical ways of Christian living so believers may grow in their knowledge of the Word of God and in their relationship with Christ.
About the Author
Carla Murray is a homeschool mother of three, a Sunday School teacher, church planter, and pastor’s wife. Alongside her husband, Carla has helped to start and continues to help lead a new church plant in Paulden, AZ. She has previously been a Children’s Ministry Co-Director. Carla has a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and has been following the Lord for almost 30 years. She finds spending time reading and studying God’s Word a priority in her life.