“ 10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] STAND UP against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] RESIST and STAND your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to STAND FIRM [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So STAND FIRM and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), 15 and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.”
Ephesians 6:10-18 (Amplified)
Discussion Questions:
- How can we discern the source of the challenges we face in life—whether they are attacks from the enemy seeking to steal, kill, and destroy, expressions of the weakness of our flesh pulling us back toward old habits, or consequences of our own wrong choices that require responsibility and repentance? As we share, let’s consider what each of these situations might look like in real life and how we can respond
- When you face challenges or temptations, what is usually your first reaction? How do you see the difference between striving to gain victory and exercising the victory that Christ has already accomplished? What practical steps can we take to consistently exercise the identity and authority we have in Christ in our daily lives? （Ephesians 6:10；Ephesians 1:20-21,2:6；Colossians 2:15）
- In your current life circumstances, which piece of the spiritual armor do you most need to put on or actively apply to stand firm against the schemes of the evil one? Reflecting on your recent spiritual battles, which piece of armor do you find yourself most prone to neglect? (Ephesians 6:16)