FOCUS TEXT: Ephesians 6:10-20

In our “We Are Family” series, we’ve explored love, support, unity, and growth in Christ. This past Sunday, Anchor Elder, Lee Harper, unpacked Ephesians 6:10-20, revealing a tough truth: we have an enemy actively working against God’s family. His goal is to disrupt, spread discord, weaken our faith, and hinder the work of the Holy Spirit among us.

Paul’s call to put on the full armor of God is a rallying cry for us all. This spiritual battle isn’t just an individual fight; it’s a collective effort to protect the unity and mission of the church. Paul urges believers to be strong in the Lord and put on the whole armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. By equipping ourselves with God’s armor, we can withstand spiritual attacks and maintain our ground.

The armor of God includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Each piece equips us for spiritual warfare.

• Belt of Truth: Commit to honesty and integrity, strengthening our bonds against the enemy’s lies.

• Breastplate of Righteousness: Seek to grow in holiness, guarding our hearts from accusations and temptations.

• Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: Embrace our mission to be peacemakers and advance with Christ’s message of peace.

• Shield of Faith: Walk by faith, quenching the fiery darts of doubt, fear, and division.

• Helmet of Salvation: Trust in Jesus, protecting our minds from the enemy’s attempts to shake our assurance in Christ.

• Sword of the Spirit: Use the Word of God to counter the enemy’s lies and proclaim the gospel, dismantling falsehoods and unbelief.

Ephesians 6:18 calls us to “pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” Prayer is our direct line to our Divine Commander, aligning us with His will and empowering us by His Spirit. As we pray for one another, we strengthen the bonds of our spiritual family, ensuring no one stands alone in the fight. By putting on the armor of God and engaging in fervent prayer, we guard and protect God’s work in and through His family. We become a formidable force against the enemy’s schemes, ensuring that the love, unity, and growth we’ve cultivated continues to flourish. This way, we not only defend ourselves but also advance God’s kingdom, reflecting His love and grace to a watching world.

Questions to Consider:

1. How do you recognize the spiritual battles in your daily life?

2. Which piece of the armor of God do you need to put on more intentionally?

3. How can you support your spiritual family in prayer and encouragement during times of spiritual warfare?

Prayer Response:

Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping us with Your armor to stand firm against the enemy’s schemes. Help us to remember that our battle is spiritual and not against flesh and blood. Empower us to wear Your armor daily and to support one another in prayer. Remind us of the victory we have in Christ, and guide us to live boldly for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:11