We have reached the final study lesson from Ephesians. Paul has taught us a great deal about life as a Christian. God has a protocol in which He expects His children to live by. You could call it His vaccine that keeps us safe while we live in these evil days (Ephesians 5:16). It is His protection from the elements that wreak havoc on us.
Before we study Ephesians 6:10-24, I want us to look at Ezekiel 14:1-11. God gives His prophet, Ezekiel, a message; one that describes what happens when we don’t follow God’s protocol. We develop polluted hearts. We place God on the back burner as we live out life in our own way.
When we place worldly things in front of God, we set up idols within our hearts. Thus, we embrace things that will make us fall into sin.3 God says we even go as far as to seek discernment for the things we want by asking prophets what they know. We know God is there to help us, yet, we live for ourselves first. We are needing a shot-in-the-arm to awaken us.
God gives an answer for this lukewarm way of living. Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your detestable sins.6 God will be faithful to answer us when we turn back to Him and follow His ways. When we continue in our folly, God will turn away. He may have to make us as an example of what not to do and/or He may have to eliminate us.8 These are pretty strong words.
ASK YOURSELF: God has reasons for everything He does. Why does He correct His wayward children, according to verse 8? To add to it, what does verse 11 say?
They will be my people and I will be their God.11
God walks united in love with us. Unfortunately, we don’t give Him back the love and respect that is due Him. Thankfully, He equips us to live out the victorious Christian life that Jesus went to the cross for. We have it in us to live unpolluted lives. We have to choose to unlock that which lays dormant in our hearts. Go ahead and read today’s lesson, Ephesians 6:10-24, to see what we need to do for this to take place.
God gives us impenetrable armor that can withstand anything that the world throws at us. The devil can’t even break through it! We are protected by God Himself when we put on His attire. God’s Presence is our vaccine to keeping us strong and fit for His Kingdom.
Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.10
ASK YOURSELF: What are we to do, according to verse 11? Why?
May I encourage you to memorize verse 12. It would greatly help us in our faith journeys if we could remember this vital truth.
ASK YOURSELF: What does verse 12 say? What is God saying to you about this truth?
This is why the days we are living in are considered evil. Satan and his posse are running havoc in the world. The one good thing is that Satan does not have free reign to do what he wants. God has control over him. Look at Luke 22:31-32 and Job 1:12.
God equips us to fight the onslaught of the devil.
ASK YOURSELF: What are we to do; according to verse 13?
Notice what verse 13 says, “After the battle you will still be standing firm.” We will face trials, hardships, things that will make our days a bit toilsome, but have no fear, for God fights our battles for us (Exodus 14:13-14, 2 Chronicles 20:17 and Deuteronomy 20:4)!
Paul tells us what God’s armor looks like. We are to (1) Stand our ground with the belt of truth. We live by the Word of God. (2) We put on the body armor of righteousness. We are to live honest, honorable, decent lives. (3) Tie up the shoes of peace that comes from the Good News that Jesus resurrected from the dead! We are to be ready to share this Good News with everyone. (4) We are to hold up the shield of faith so we can stop the fiery arrows of the devil. (5) We need to don helmets of salvation. We are without hope when we don’t follow hard after Christ. (6) Finally, we have a firm grip on the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
ASK YOURSELF: When we are fully dressed in God’s attire, what needs to happen to engage ourselves so we are ready for action; see verse 18?
We are to pray in the Spirit AT ALL TIMES and ON EVERY OCCASSION! We are to stay alert or else we will fall and become like the people in Ezekiel 14. We are called to be persistent. It is easy to forget and be lazy. We must fight to keep the Spirit awake within our souls. We need a dose of God’s vaccine to keep us walking in the Spirit.
In verses 19-24, Paul lets us see what kind of person he is.
ASK YOURSELF: What do you learn about Paul?
Paul ends this particular letter to the people in Ephesus with encouraging words. “May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love Christ.” And this is a great way to end today’s study. It is by grace that we are saved. ❤
Carol J German 
I am glad that He is the one that helps us. We cannot do it without Him. IT is like you mention, in His Power and Might. Our church just spent a year or so in the book of Ephesians. Keep on blogging for God.
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