In the Christian life, we tend to either underplay the influence of Satan or overplay his influence. We can rightly have the confidence that Jesus has won the victory and defeated the devil for us—but then live as though the devil is non-existent. Or we can focus on the devil so much that we become anxious about how we must defeat the devil in our own strength and strategies each day. Both these extremes are not healthy.

Scripture teaches us that Jesus has indeed defeated the Devil, but also that we live in a time where evil is not finally bound and rendered powerless. In today’s reading—part of Paul’s letter to the Church at Ephesus—Paul urges his hearers to be alert and prepared for the attacks of the evil one.

To be a Christian in the Roman Empire at the time Paul wrote was to risk one’s life. Christians were viewed suspiciously by the Romans as a new cult which undermined allegiance to Caesar, could not openly worship or preach or teach, and were at the behest of the Roman military—which was highly organised, efficient and brutally barbaric in enforcing Roman rule.

The world has always sought to muzzle the church. The message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins is offensive to self-pride and one’s efforts of being righteous. Relinquishing earthly power, riches and pleasure to follow a man who died on a Cross makes no sense from a human point of view and seemingly deprives people of enjoyment. “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:14). If Jesus himself was silenced at all costs—even murder—then his followers should expect nothing less themselves. That’s why Paul says: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Psalm 44:22 quoted in Romans 8:36).

In today’s text Paul makes a vitally important point: the enemy facing Christians is not merely a political, military adversary. The battle a spiritual one. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12).

Jesus says: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). The devil does not want anyone to be saved or come to know true life and fulfilment in Christ. Those who happily pursue the pleasures of this life and who do not seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness, and lead others astray from them, are of no concern to the devil. They are exactly where he wants them, ignorant of truth and far from the path to life and salvation.

The devil’s interest is in those who are on the path to life. We can expect that the closer one is to Jesus, the more focused the devil will be on them. When we come to worship and meet God in his word, we can expect Satan to be right there with us, wanting to snatch away the seed of God’s word sown in our heart. Was it not in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve were in communion with God, that the devil came to them to open a chasm between humankind and God by sowing doubt in the trustworthiness of God: “Did God really say…?” Was it not to Jesus himself that the Devil came and tempted Jesus likewise to turn aside from his Father’s will by twisting scripture out of context? Does not the Psalmist say that it is in the presence of his enemies that God prepares a table? Likewise, the devil is closest to God’s people and attacks us when we gather together in worship. He doesn’t want us to hear from God and receive good gifts from him. Instead of focusing on God the devil tempts us to be focused on ourselves.

As we gather to hear God’s word the devil tempts us to doubt the reliability of what God says for us for today’s culture and times. He tempts pastors to proclaim peace where there is no peace (Jeremiah 6:14) and tempts teachers to pursue popularity rather than truth. “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Tim 4:3).

The devil tempts us to twist God’s word out of context, so that we end up justifying ourselves rather than submitting to God’s word and hearing that we are justified by him through faith in Christ.

The devil tempts us to think the worst of our brothers and sisters and to treat them as the enemy. He tempts us to grumble against them, slander them and ruin their reputation, so that we look better

in public view at their expense, bringing division in the one body.

The devil tempts us to be hearers of God’s word but not doers of it, whenever we refuse to extend forgiveness to others, even though we pray: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us,” so that brothers and sisters who commune together are bitterly opposed, holding grudges, clinging to bitterness, and live by law with one another rather than grace.

The devil tempts us to be hearers of God’s word but not doers of it when we do not respect authority but undermine it with all kinds of deceptive and unwholesome talk from our mouth, when we do not help our sister or brother in their needs, when we are angry with them in our heart or commit adultery with them in our heart. He tempts us to think that God has not provided enough for us, so that we are ungrateful for what we have and jealous and resentful of our neighbours and scheme to get what is theirs.

The devil tempts us to think that it is in by our own effort that God’s church will be built and grow. Rather than prayer being the first course of action—showing reliance on God—the church instead often focuses on the functions we perform, and becomes distracted by all our busyness, like Martha who neglected the one thing needful—to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to him (Luke 10:38-42).

Church buildings, especially overseas, are targeted and destroyed by fires and bombs, but the devil does even more damage—more often than not—from within. The devil delights in this—for the next best thing to stopping people from being saved is stirring up the communion of saints to turn against each other in conflict and cover their lamp with a bowl. Walls can be rebuilt, but spiritual abuse, emotional hurt and ruined reputations cause so much more damage. Then, instead of showing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—God’s people show the works of the flesh: love of self, worry, impatience, cruelty, unfaithfulness, harshness and lack of self-control.

Then the Devil attacks us with the biggest fiery dart of all—he condemns us, eroding the peace Christ won for our hearts with fear—fear that we have fallen away from God’s favour, fear that we are not loved by God and need to do something in addition to Christ to be righteous in God’s sight again. He tempts us to think that it would be impossible for God to love us. He plunges us to doubt and despair, urging us to turn to the things for which we seek comfort, but only enslave us to a worsening spiral of guilt and shame.

Paul uses the imagery of Roman military armour which was familiar to his audience of the day, to portray the defence that Christians have against unseen spiritual attack: “Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Note carefully that the Christian person cannot stand before the devil and be victorious in themselves, they must deliberately put on the full armour suit of God.

First is the belt of truth. The military belt was often combined with a type of apron made of leather strips, adorned with metal plates. It had a practical function, being the means to attach weapons and armour. But more importantly, the belt identified that its wearer belonged to the military class. Unlike armour or weapons, the soldier wore his belt daily. The belt was so important to the Roman soldier that it was considered a severe punishment to remove a soldier’s belt or deny him the right to wear it. Paul speaks of a figurative putting on the truth of God’s word, which identifies the wearer as a victorious child of God. As the devil is ‘the father of lies” (John 8:44) whose only power resides in lies, fear and condemnation, the belt of truth protects us from lies about God’s trustworthiness, lies about our identity, lies about the scope of God’s forgiveness and the adequacy of his approval of us in Christ.

Second is the breastplate of righteousness. Military breastplates were made of overlapping horizontal metal bands. It covered the soldier’s heart, providing protection against mortal wounds. Paul means that since our hearts are not righteous by our own means so they must be covered over with the righteousness of Jesus who protects us from condemnation and death.

Next are the gospel shoes of peace. The Roman soldier wore shoes made from a combination of sturdy leather straps and iron nails, which were strategically placed in the soles for enhanced grip, allowing them to march across harsh terrain with relative ease and comfort. Christians are to wear the ‘gospel shoes of peace’ so that as they march onward in hostile terrain, they walk in God’s way of overcoming conflict by being peacemakers with the gospel, diffusing spiritual attack rather than escalating it.

Soldiers carried a large, curved, rectangular shield. They could crouch behind this when being attacked, lining up behind an extended wall, or use it in formation, like a tortoise shell, allowing them to advance under heavy attack. In times of spiritual attack, faith becomes as a shield to the Christian—faith in Christ which is righteousness, salvation and protection from condemnation and accusation of the devil and others, allowing us to move forward as we follow our Lord.

Paul says we are to don the ‘helmet of salvation’. For many ancient peoples, the head was considered the “seat of the soul” and the most vital part of the human body. Roman helmets included a skullcap, cheekpieces, a neck covering, and a nasal guard to reduce the impact of projectiles and bladed weapons, while maintaining a wide frontal view. The helmet of salvation is the assurance of salvation and life in Christ, to protect us, body, mind and soul, from the lies of the enemy, so that we can see clearly God’s will for us.

Finally there is the sword of Spirit, the only weapon mentioned in this list, the monogram of which is etched in our glass doors at St Paul’s. We are not to respond to attacks with retaliation, inflicting wounds with our tongue, but to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) with the double edged sword of God’s living and active word, allowing him to penetrate to diving joints and marrow, soul and spirit, which is God’s power not only to change behaviours of our adversaries, but their hearts.

To put on this armour is synonymous with Paul’s opening encouragement for us to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”, so that we can stand against the devil’s schemes. Four times Paul uses the word ‘stand’. We are not to attack, relying on our own strength, but to stand in our Lord Jesus Christ, standing in his strength, protected by him, defended by him, vindicated by him. Paul’s words are reminiscent of God’s charge to his people hemmed in by the Red Sea as the superpower of the Egyptian military pursued them. Again, this was also a profoundly spiritual battle. Moses said to the people: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14).

When you feel tempted and attacked by the forces of evil, stand, and pray to God for him to be your refuge and strength, to vindicate you and protect you. Look to God, wait on God, call on God in the power of the Spirit. Pray for your brothers and sisters who are facing doubts, anxieties, confusion or despair, that they might stand strong with you in the mighty power of Christ. Go back to the Word of God to combat the lies of the devil with the truth of Christ.

For we have no resources within ourselves to fight the battle against the cunning tricks of the devil, but in Christ you have victorious might, and you can do all things through him who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). He is our champion, our deliverer. All we have to do is stand our ground. For Christ has already triumphed over Satan in the wilderness, and ultimately on the Cross. That victory has been brought to us in baptism. It comes to us in the absolution, when we hear words from the pastor acting as Christ’s representative and by his authority, so that six small words—“I forgive you all your sins”—breaks the devil’s condemnation of us. It comes to us in the body and blood of Jesus—the table God prepares in the presence of our enemies—to wash away all guilt, shame and every evil stain, and welcomes us as God’s honoured guests at his banquet hall in heaven.

Nothing can overcome that precious blood. Whoever clings to the Cross of Christ shares in his victory over the Kingdom of darkness through faith in his mighty victory. Nothing can separate you from the love of God for you in Christ Jesus. Live each day in the power of your baptism, and remain clothed in Christ. He is your armour! He promises that not even the gates of hell will overcome his church (Matthew 16:18). May the peace of God, which exceeds all human understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Savior to eternal life. Amen.

Pastor Tim Ebbs

St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Glenelg

Time after Pentecost, 2026

 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

“In the Christian life, we tend to either underplay the influence of Satan or overplay his influence.”

 

1. According to verse 12, who is the Christian’s struggle against?

 

1. Why is it important to recognize that spiritual warfare is not primarily against people?

 

1. What are believers instructed to do after putting on the armour of God (verse 13)?

 

1. What might the “shield of faith” protect believers from today?

 

1. Why is the Word of God compared to a sword rather than another piece of armour?

 

1. What does Paul’s emphasis on prayer reveal about spiritual warfare?

 

1. Which piece of the armour of God do you feel is strongest in your life right now? Why?

 

1. Which piece do you need to strengthen? What practical steps can you take?

 

1. What spiritual battles are you currently facing?

 

1. What lies or doubts has your faith helped you overcome?

 

1. How can Scripture become a more active part of your daily life?

 

1. What changes can you make to develop a more consistent prayer life?

 

1. In what situations do you need courage to share the gospel?

 

1. Who can you pray for this week that needs strength in their spiritual walk?

 

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