LifeWay Family Bible Series for July 10: God’s armor helps fend off the darkness_62705

Posted: 6/29/05

LifeWay Family Bible Series for July 10

God’s armor helps fend off the darkness

• Ephesians 6:10-20

By Mitch Randall

First Baptist Church, Bedford

Complete darkness is a sight to behold. Recently, my family and I traveled down to San Marcos and toured a very large cave. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the cave and the stories that went with it. When we reached the deepest point of the cave, our tour guide said we were about to experience complete darkness. With one flick of a switch, we were in complete and absolute blackness. Needless to say, my 4- and 7-year-old children were a bit scared—not to mention their 34-year-old father.

However, once our tour guide switched the light back on after about one million seconds (well, maybe five seconds), there was a sense of relief from everyone. There was something terrifying about being so far down in the earth in complete darkness, but once the light was back on, everyone smiled and had a good laugh. I cannot help but think this might be like what the Apostle Paul might be referring to when he speaks about a great spiritual darkness upon the earth.

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Evil lurks in the shadows and darkness follows wherever it dwells. This evil is so powerful people throughout the ages have tried to define or name it. Scripture defines this evil as a powerful spirituality that tries to bring darkness upon the cosmos. Throughout Scripture, this incredibly powerful evil has been referred to as the devil. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Paul talks about how to combat this darkness trying to prevail against us.

Ephesians 6:10-12

The verse “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power” leads readers to believe something powerful is working against them. During the first century, Christians to whom this letter was intended, had many aspects of darkness working against them. From an established Jewish community, to pagan religions, to the Roman government’s investigation of them; the tide of darkness was turning.

Paul said these powerful forces were rising and their wave of evil would sweep down upon the heads of the first-century Christians. Evil was at work, and it was headed straight for the Christian community. Paul’s warning was not one of dire straits, but an alarm for preparation. Christians were being called to put on the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:13-17

Paul begins his armor language by encouraging his readers to “put on the belt of truth.” Without truth, everything built upon the precepts of Christianity would crumble. Jesus was the Messiah or everything was for naught.

“Putting on the breastplate of righteousness” suggests the importance of following the ways of Christ. During the dark days ahead, living a righteous life would be unequivocally pertinent.

“Shodding their feet with peace” is a direct correlation to Paul’s readers that the way of peace would be the way of Christ. The darkness that was about to consume the Christian community would be such an attack that it would have been easy to form a counterstrike against it. Yet, Paul says to wage war against the darkness surrounding them is through a peaceful way.

A “shield of faith” would defend them from arrows of eternal harm that will be catapulted at them. The “helmet of salvation” and the “sword of truth” would be the hope that would send them on through the darkness to embrace the light.

Ephesians 6:18-20

While putting on the armor of God, Paul encourages his readers to pray at all times. He gives his readers hope for the coming darkness, as he writes from the darkness of a cell.

I understand that this is an unconventional way of looking at this text, but this approach makes perfect sense if we conclude that Paul was precise in his assessment of what was coming. History tells us that Paul was right. An unavoidable darkness came over the Christian community in the face of Roman oppression. Those Christians needed as much hope to endure the things they endured than we can ever imagine. With Paul’s armor of God fitted upon them, their hope was in the hope of Christ.

Discussion questions

• What was the darkest point of your life? How did you feel?

• During that dark moment, did you wish you had something to give you hope?

• How can we wage war against the darkness of this world?