Wrestling, Not Shooting (Ephesians 6:10-12)

From a prison

Paul likely wrote Ephesians chained to a Roman guard, so he knew armor up close. His final chapter begins: be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, and put on the full armor of God.

Close quarters

"Our struggle is not against flesh and blood." The Greek word means wrestling. The enemy isn't far off. He's right in front of us, often whispering in our ear.

Not the person

DeWayne uses a friendly example from the call: his battle isn't with a person. It's with the sin and the enemy working behind what happened. Next time a text or conversation stings, pause, pray, and ask what's really going on before you respond.

Ephesus knew

This city was devoted to Artemis and full of sorcery. In Acts 19, new believers there burned a fortune in magic books. They didn't need convincing that there's a spiritual realm.

Stand

In wrestling you win by staying on your feet. Paul repeats "stand," and it comes in God's strength, not ours. Next: the pieces of the armor, one by one.

Try this

• Before replying to a frustrating message today, pray first.
• Read Ephesians 6:10-18 ahead of the series.