Ephesians 6:10-20  (J.B. Philips Translation)

In conclusion be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of God’s boundless resource. Put on God’s complete armour so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organizations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil.                      

          Therefore you must wear the whole armour of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ’s men and women.

          And pray for me, too, that I may be able to speak freely here to make known the secret of that Gospel for which I am, so to speak, an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak out about it as my plain and obvious duty.

Questions for Reflection and Conversation

1. In Paul’s day, the spirit world was thought to be very present in our midst in daily life. We tend to think of “the devil” as fiction or, at best “down there”, and “spirits” as up in space, or at least elsewhere. What does “the devil” mean to you? And do you believe there are other spirits than the Holy Spirit in our midst?

2. Paul uses a military metaphor to describe how we ought to be in the world. But notice that no actual military weapons comprise the “armour”. Instead, there is truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, salvation, the Word of God, and faith. Does this metaphor help you, or no?

3. Again, as so often and especially in the teachings of Jesus, prayer gets strong emphasis from Paul at the end of this passage. How is your prayer life? Is it strong and consistent, or spotty? Do you have something you would describe as “a prayer life”? What practical ways can Pastor Lee and the Session members help you strengthen your prayer life?