The Strength to Stand Against Temptation

In the battle against temptation God equips us to stand our ground.  As a child of God the follower of Christ is in a spiritual battle to divert us AWAY from God.  Thankfully, we are not left alone to face such temptation. God gives us His Holy Spirit to be with us, and equips us with everything we need to stand against those forces that seek to pull us into sin.  Today we look at the “gear” that God provides us for our protection as we study Ephesians 6:10-18, a passage that addresses the topic of spiritual warfare.

In a physical conflict the unarmored individual is usually at a disadvantage, so the warrior uses gear to protect their physical bodies.  Paul utilizes an analogy of physical warrior’s armor and applies it to the individual who would similarly protect their spiritual selves.

Ephesians 6:10-13

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 

13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

Paul began a discussion by describing who the enemy in this spiritual battle is.  It is any natural or supernatural force that would stand in opposition of God and God’s laws.  The first step that Paul mentions in this preparation for conflict is to be strengthened. The verb means we must allow ourselves to be strengthened by an external force or person. We acknowledge our own weaknesses and invite God’s power into our lives. Availing ourselves of the strength of the Lord is the only way we can achieve victory in the spiritual battles of life. 

Here is the irony of the situation. Our victory was secured by Jesus at the cross, but the only way to realize that victory is to go through the battles. Paul said this strengthening we are to undergo is by the vast strength of God. This is the same strength that raised Jesus from the dead and raised each believer to life from their state of spiritual death. Every spiritual resource that believers need to win their battles can be drawn from the inexhaustible strength of the Lord. 

In the midst of battle, soldiers are always prepared.  They suit up before the conflict begins.  For once the battle is underway, it’s too late to start putting on gear. This holds true for spiritual warfare.  Paul encourages us to put on the full armor of God and to keep it ever at hand. This wardrobe provided by God and modeled by Him is a complete wardrobe. 

Paul used this metaphor due to his familiarity with a Roman soldier’s armor. We are encouraged to clothe ourselves with this godly armor so that we can stand against the devil – the “opposer”.  While we tend to think that devil SHOULD be personified with a capital D, remember the generic term devil means deceiver, one who would throw you off your track, and satan means opponent or adversary.  Thus we are to use this armor of God against every opposer, opponent, or adversary who would throw us off of God’s track or prevent us from living up to God’s directives.

This is not an ordinary battle. Paul describes this as a struggle, literally a wrestling match, not with human enemies but with supernatural ones. The image Paul painted is one in which two adversaries are locked in hand-to-hand combat like two wrestlers swaying back and forth trying to take the other one down to the mat. 

He mentioned four categories of supernatural forces against whom we are pitted. There are rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces. Each of these opponents or adversaries has already been soundly defeated by Christ on the cross but they currently exercise limited authority as they stand in opposition to the things of God. 

Paul affirmed these supernatural forces are in the heavens. These forces exert their power in what could be called the celestial realm, but they certainly do not have any authority in the highest heaven where God is.  It is difficult to identify exactly who these forces are, but one thing is sure: There is a great army with an organized hierarchy waging war in opposition to anything and anyone associated with the Lord. 

In verse 13 of this passage the apostle stressed again the necessity to take up the full armor of God. There is one subtle difference between verse 11 and verse 13. In verse 11, Paul used a word that means “to be clothed in.” Here in verse 13, the word he used means “to take up or assume.” Verse 11 might carry the conception of “have it at hand and be ready to use it” while in verse 13 the concept is “the battle is here, put on your gear and stand firm.”  Like a fireman, we are to be ever ready to don our gear when we need to spring into action.  Like a soldier on the front lines we need to already be in our gear and ready to fight.

Next let’s look at each piece of gear that protects us against our spiritual opposition.  In Genesis 3:21, after man and woman told God that they “saw that they were naked”, and remembering that naked means unconcealed, God made clothing from skins…and clothed them.  God has provided for the concealment of our unconcealed natures.  

Over our clothing the spiritual warrior wears spiritual armor for protection.

Ephesians 6:14-16

14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 

15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 

16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Here, Paul describes the gear for battle.  FIRST, around the center of your being, put on armor that protects your center.  This armor is TRUTH.  

Truth is reality, what is actually going on rather than what we perceive or wish to be going on.  Truth at our center keeps us grounded in reality rather than deluded into the false perceptions offered by the adversary.

Paul tells that truth, like a belt, is one of the most essential elements of the soldier’s attire. It was not ornamental or decorative but served an important purpose. A tightened belt signified readiness for battle, whereas a loosened belt meant the soldier was off duty. When a soldier tightened his belt, several things would happen. The tunic would be cinched up so it wouldn’t impede his running ability in battle. Tightening the belt would also serve to secure the sword. A soldier’s belt held everything in its place, and he was useless as a fighter without it. 

Paul likened the belt to truth. It is truth that holds the spiritual armor in place, preventing unnecessary and costly entanglements. This truth is undoubtedly the eternal truth taught in Scripture; it is the truth of the gospel. Without this belt, we have no chance in spiritual battle. The truth of who Jesus is and what He has done on our behalf is what pulls the rest of our spiritual armor together. Without the truth of salvation we are unprepared, unclothed, and unable to oppose an adversary who would tell us “there is no God and you are doomed.”

SECOND, around our core, we put on armor that protects our vital organs, our heart, our breath. This armor, Paul tells us, is RIGHT ACTION (righteousness). Take right action to protect your heart and vital organs. 

We can only take right action if we have taken the time to observe, learn and make it a part of our being what God has determined to be right action. 

The soldier’s breastplate covered him from his neck down to his thighs.The function of the breastplate was to protect against the deadly thrusts of the short sword. The breastplate protected vital organs, especially the heart, thus it was known as the heart protector. Paul described this armor as righteousness, alluding to God’s righteousness, given freely to all those who believe in Jesus and trust Him as Savior. This “righteousness” refers to an uprightness or integrity. 

It is not something we can manufacture ourselves; it must be received as a gift. When a believer receives this righteousness, he begins to manifest certain characteristics that identify him as belonging to Christ. This breastplate of righteousness protects our heart from attacks, both internal and external. It cannot be found in this world, but is ours in Christ. He has clothed us in His righteousness.

THIRD,  comes protection for what moves us–our feet and legs. This armor is READINESS. 

If we are not "on our toes", when it comes time to move we will be slow to react and at a disadvantage.  We must be aware, prepared, and READY to move.  

Protected feet and legs make it possible to be ready to move.  Paul described the Christian’s footwear. He said and your feet sandaled with readiness. 

The Roman soldier’s footwear was the caliga, the war boot—a half-boot that was an open-toed boot, made of leather, with a nail-studded sole. It was attached to the ankles and shins with leather straps. It was a boot not for running but for marching, especially into battle. It was designed to grip the ground, much like an athletic cleat. 

Since most of the fighting was hand-to-hand combat, the caliga was designed with traction in mind. These boots offered sure footing and provided the Romans with a distinctive advantage over their opponents. In essence, the war boots prepared them for efficient and successful battle. This readiness sees the believer with their feet firmly planted on the solid rock of the truth in Jesus Christ. When a Christian has this kind of leverage, nothing the enemy can throw at him will push him back; rather, he will be ready to go on the offensive.

Paul says the peace that the believer receives through the good news of the gospel gives him the necessary leverage to withstand the devil’s advances. Remembering that the word peace also indicates security, this peace comes in two forms. 

• First, there is the peace with God. This is the peace that comes from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. 

• Second, there is the peace of God. We can have security because we know that we have been reconciled with God AND because we know that God always has our UTMOST spiritual welfare in mind. 

Having this peace allows a believer to remain calm in the midst of difficult circumstances. Those who have their feet sandaled with peace will make valiant warriors for the kingdom, because nothing Satan can throw at them will move them off of their spot. They will hold the line. 

FOURTH,  is our shield.  A shield allows us to prevent the attacks of others from "getting to me".  Our shield is our FAITH.  

Our faith in God and in our ability to act rightly — that we can take right action.  Our shield allows us to deflect the assaults of those who say "you can't...". 

Paul said our shield should be used in every situation. Christians are to take up the shield of faith to cover any vulnerabilities to attack from the enemy.  

Roman soldiers were known for carrying two different shields. The first was a small round shield worn on the forearm during battle. The other on, the one that Paul described here, was a large shield that was about four feet high and two-and-a-half feet wide. It was used to protect the soldier from the onslaught of javelins and arrows that would target him during battle. He simply placed his whole body behind the shield and was secure. In the event of flaming arrows, they would burn themselves out harmlessly after being buried in the wooden shield. Soldiers could also fight side by side and use the shields to form a wall of protection. 

For the believer, Paul likened the shield to faith, both in God and His Word. This is the only piece of equipment Paul listed for which he also offered a particular use. This shield, the apostle said, can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. The spiritual lesson is quite obvious. As believers are engaged in battle, the enemy shoots wave after wave of burning arrows at them to try to inflame there environment. These can be temptations, lusts, deceptions, or any number of things to distract the believer from the goal. But the believer has been equipped with a shield of faith to easily thwart these attacks. The shield not only diverts the arrows but extinguishes them.  Other believers may incorporate their shields with yours to build a shield wall that protects a congregation of believers. 

There are two more pieces to the Christian’s armor.  Paul continues:

Ephesians 6:17-18

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 

18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

Paul urged Christians to take the helmet of salvation. The verb used here means “to receive” or “to accept.” Every other item in the soldier’s wardrobe would just be at hand for the soldier to pick up and strap on himself. The helmet and the sword would be handed to him by an armor-bearer, thus he would accept it from the hands of another. 

FIFTH,  We protect our heads--our brain, our consciousness, with an armored helmet--SALVATION.  

Salvation is the knowledge that we are saved from harm.  With truth, right action, preparation and readiness, faith, and protection, our possibilities for harm are greatly reduced.

Roman helmets were usually bronze with leather attachments, although some were entirely made of leather. The helmet was placed on the head and had a band to protect the forehead and plates to cover the cheeks. It also extended down the back of the neck to provide protection there as well. 

Paul metaphorically compared the helmet to salvation. It has been placed on the believer’s head at conversion by the crucified Christ. The helmet of salvation offers assurance of salvation and brings the requisite confidence needed to engage in the fight. Believers can be assured that no matter what transpires, our salvation is secure and we can experience victory in Jesus, now and forever. 

SIXTH, we take up our sword--our offensive AND defensive weapon.  Our sword is THE WORD OF GOD. 

The short, two-edged sword used for cutting and thrusting was the Roman’s basic weapon. The believer is commanded to take up or accept our sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 

The Bible is God-breathed, and so the Word of God is of the Spirit. It is the most excellent weapon that the believer has for both offensive and defensive warfare. Think back to the beginning of this study when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matt. 4). He used the words of Scripture as His defense and as an offense against His adversary. Oh, how we need to learn to effectively use Scripture in our lives as the basis for fighting all of our battles! 

SEVENTH, to complete our armoring for the day PRAYER is our final step.  

Prayer is ASKING.  Remembering the admonition "ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened..." We need to remember to ASK for the outcome that we desire, then we seek to find that outcome.  The outcome itself, however, is not our responsibility to achieve, it is merely our responsibility for which to prepare.  

With this armoring procedure found in Ephesians 6:13 we are prepared for the trials and tribulations of our spiritual battles in this physical body. 

Paul concluded this section by admonishing believers to pray at all times. As believers, we should be in a constant state of prayer as we daily prepare for the ongoing spiritual battle we face. Prayer is a necessary activity if we are to stand. 

We are to pray in the Spirit, in the power of the Spirit, because we are in such an intimate relationship with Him. Praying in the Spirit means that the Holy Spirit will help us in our prayers by showing us how to pray and what we ought to pray for. Praying in the Spirit gives the believers strength when we feel we can’t continue. 

Paul then directed believers to stay alert. We have to be on constant vigil, because the attacks of Satan do not let up. He is a persistent and determined foe, and the believer must never let his or her guard down. The best way that I know of to stand alert is to strive, at all times, to look for God’s direction of needed action.  Forget the attacks of the adversary but always remember the teaching, training, and lessons provided by God.  Focus on where you WANT to be; Ignore where you do not want to be, give it NO mental energy. 

Finally, Paul encouraged believers to pray with perseverance and intercession for all the saints. There are many worthwhile things to ask of God, but certainly praying for other believers should be high on the list. We have brothers and sisters in Christ who are growing weary and tired of the battle. Some may be ready to give up altogether, so we must pray for them with laser focus. We need both God’s Word and prayer to overcome the adversarial distractions and the onslaughts from Satan.      

We are NOT ALONE in standing against temptation. 

• God has equipped us with both an offensive and defensive arsenal.  
• God has provided us with other believers with which to stand against temptation.  
• God has offered us training and instruction through his Word.
• God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us.

We DO have the strength to stand against temptation.