Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10 WEB
In chapter six of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul instructs fathers to avoid frustrating their children, rather, raising them with instruction in the word of God. He begins the chapter encouraging children to honor their mother and father, reminding them that it is a commandment of God that comes with a promise. Paul writes of this promise in Ephesians 6:3 assaying, “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. WEB”
Paul continues to instruct the faithful to serve others as though serving Christ himself. He reminds those with power to treat those under their authority fairly as the same God is the Master of all people. His teaching encourages the faithful to be strong in the Lord without being harsh or threatening to others.
We Do Not Wrestle Flesh and Blood
What follows is a metaphor that describes how to be strong in the Lord. The instruction is given in the context of the spiritual warfare experienced by those saved from sin and transformed by the blood of Christ. As Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12, “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. WEB”
To overcome spiritual wickedness, we do not engage in worldly acts of manipulation, intimidation, or dominance of others. Instead, to be strong in the Lord, Paul encourages the faithful to put on the whole armor of God. In this, Paul likens truth to a utility belt, righteousness to a breastplate, and faith to a shield. Salvation is called a helmet, the Good News of peace is our footwear, and the word of God is our sword of the Spirit.
The Lord Fights Our Battles
When we are strong in the Lord, we let God fight our battles. Paul writes in Romans 12:19, “Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, ‘Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.’ WEB” Also, Deuteronomy 20:4 encourages God’s people saying, “For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. KJV”
If we are strong in the Lord, we put our trust in him. As King David wrote in Psalm 28:7-8, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. KJV”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the lessons we learn in your holy word. Thank you for the strength I get from your Holy Spirit. Help me to be strong in You. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Be Fruitful and Multiply
