Ephesians 6:10-14 (NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
In this passage, the apostle Paul asks us to put on the full armour of God, and we need to do it now because it’s urgent. It is a command, and we need to act on it quickly. We need to make the choice of putting it on so that we can be firm in the Lord, for we are not wrestling with flesh and blood, but against the despotisms (principalities), against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
However, before we stand on the Word, we must first learn to sit with Jesus in the heavenly places far above all principalities, dominion and might. In other words, we must be mindful of who we are, what we have in Christ, and the spiritual blessings He has given us so that we can use these weapons to successfully stand up against all the devil’s strategies and deceits.
From Ephesians chapters 1-3, we know that we are chosen in Christ; in Him, we have become His children; in Him, we have the forgiveness of sins; in Him, we are redeemed through His blood; in Him, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise who is the guarantee of our inheritance, and in Him, we are seated together with Christ in the heavenly places. We are the body of Christ, and Christ is the head of the church, and God has put all things under His feet. This is our position in Christ as new creations.
The revelatory truth regarding the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places comes from the Word of God, namely the belt of truth. We are not ashamed and pressed down in discouragement. Once we know who we are in Christ, we can stand straight, upright, and confident. We will be potent if we stand on God’s promises for any particular situation when faced with a spiritual battle.
Sermon Series： The Weapon Of Our Spiritual Warfare (Part2)
在基督里我们是谁
以弗所书6:10-14 我还有末了的话，你们要靠着主，倚赖他的大能大力，作刚强的人。要穿戴神所赐的全副军装，就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。因我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的，掌权的，管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。所以要拿起神所赐的全副军装，好在磨难的日子，抵挡仇敌，并且成就了一切，还能站立得住。所以要站稳了，用真理当作带子束腰，用公义当作护心镜遮胸。
在这段经文中，使徒保罗要求我们穿上上帝的全副军装，我们现在就必须这样做，因为形势紧迫。这是命令，我们需要迅速采取行动。我们需要选择穿上它，这样我们才能在主里刚强，因为那与我们搏斗的不是血肉之躯，而是那些专制（统治）、权力、各样邪灵–也就是当前黑暗世界的统治者们、以及属天（超自然领域）的各样邪恶势力。
然而，在我们站立在神的话语上之前，我们必须先学会与耶稣一同坐在天上，那至高远超一切执政的、统治的和有权势的。换句话说，我们必须记住我们是谁，我们在基督里拥有什么，以及祂赐予我们的各样的属灵福气，这样我们才能使用这些武器成功地抵挡魔鬼的一切诡计和欺骗。
从以弗所书1-3章，我们知道我们在基督里蒙拣选；在祂里面，我们成为祂的儿女；在祂里面，我们的罪得赦免；在祂里面，我们因祂的血得蒙救赎；在祂里面，我们受了所应许的圣灵为印记，祂是我们得基业的凭据；在祂里面，我们与基督一同坐在天上。我们是基督的身体，基督是教会的头，神已将万有服在祂的脚下。这是我们作为新造之物在基督里的地位。
关于天上属灵祝福的启示性真理来自上帝的话语，被称之为真理的腰带。我们不会以之为耻，也不会灰心沮丧。一旦我们知道我们在基督里是谁，我们就能挺胸抬头，充满自信。当面对属灵争战，无论处在什么光景，如果我们站稳在上帝的应许之上，我们将所向披靡。
讲章系列： 我们属灵争战的武器 (第二部分）
Image Source: pixabay.com