Useful Bible Studies > Ephesians Commentary > chapter 6
Paul ends his description of the soldier with, perhaps, the soldier’s most important objects. His helmet is the strong hat that will protect his head during the battle. Also, the soldier needs a sharp sword - because without it, he cannot even fight in the battle.
Paul has described the head as the most important part of a person’s body (5:23). It is the head that guides and directs the whole body.
In the same way, nothing is more important for a Christian than his relationship with God. That relationship guides and directs a Christian’s whole life. Paul’s word for that relationship is salvation (Romans 1:16). Salvation means the rescue and safety that come from God (Psalm 62:1).
We think of how powerful a sword is as a tool to attack an enemy. We ask how we can oppose the devil like that. We certainly cannot do it with statements that come from our own mind. However, God’s word, the Bible, is more powerful than even the sharpest sword (Hebrews 4:12). We do not understand it merely as letters and words on a page, but by God’s Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6). In our troubles, the Holy Spirit brings the words of the Bible to our mind; and we declare those statements in order to oppose the devil. In other words, we declare our agreement with God’s word; and against that, the devil cannot stand (James 4:7). Matthew 4:1-11 shows how Christ himself did that. He opposed the devil on each occasion with statements from the Bible.
Paul will next show us how we oppose the devil in prayer. That is also by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Next part: Pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18)
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© 2019, Keith Simons.