In this powerful exploration of Ephesians 6, we discover that true spiritual armor isn’t about our performance or religious acts – it’s about putting on Christ Himself.
What is the True Nature of Spiritual Warfare?
Spiritual warfare isn’t primarily about external battles against obvious evils. The real battle often happens within the church itself, where Satan comes as an angel of light. We must understand that we “wrestle not against flesh and blood” but against spiritual forces.
How Do We Put On the Armor of God?
The armor of God is actually putting on Christ Himself in different aspects:
Belt of Truth: Jesus is our reality
Breastplate of Righteousness: Jesus is our record
Shoes of Peace: Jesus is our refuge
Shield of Faith: Jesus is our rock
Helmet of Salvation: Jesus is our rest
Sword of the Spirit: Jesus is our resurrection and life
What’s Wrong With Religious Performance?
Many Christians try to fight spiritual battles through religious performance and external standards. This leads to:
Focusing on outward appearance rather than heart transformation
Fighting flesh and blood instead of spiritual forces
Depending on our own strength rather than Christ’s
How Does True Spiritual Victory Come?
Victory comes through:
Relinquishing control to Christ
Resting in His righteousness rather than our own
Walking in relationship with Jesus rather than religious rules
Understanding that He is our strength, not our performance
Life Application
This week, examine your spiritual battles and ask yourself:
Am I trying to fight in my own strength or Christ’s?
Where am I depending on religious performance instead of relationship?
How can I better “put on Christ” in my daily challenges?
Challenge: Each morning this week, consciously “put on” Christ as your armor before facing the day. Rather than focusing on your performance, focus on your relationship with Him and rest in His strength rather than your own.
Questions for Reflection:
In what areas of my life am I still trying to fight battles in my own strength?
How can I better rest in Christ’s righteousness rather than my own?
What would it look like to truly let Jesus be my reality, record, refuge, rock, rest, and resurrection in my daily life?
