Resist in the Evil Day | Spiritual Warfare Part V

#spiritualwarfare #armorofgod #resistance

Ephesians 6:13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

The spiritual and cosmic nature of our enemy and warfare makes God’s spiritual armor absolutely necessary.

Because our enemy is a spiritual foe we need spiritual armor. The battle is a constant one; and our hope is in the Lord’s strength and the armor he provides. The powers of darkness have been defeated by Christ but they are still active; we can’t afford to be complacent.

Therefore, or on account of this, take up the full armor of God.

I like the CSB here because their translation “resist” is better than “withstand” or “stand” that other translations have. I believe the idea is active opposition through verbal confrontation.

Scholars debate the meaning of “the evil day.” We will discuss the options.

We have a part to play in all this as well. Spiritual discipline is necessary. As is knowing our Lord and what he has provided for us.

And having done all, to stand. The goal of the preparation is to stand - to keep from falling into sin and to advance on enemy territory to bring the good news of deliverance to those who are oppressed.

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Select sources:

Arnold, Clinton E. Ephesians (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010

Aune, David E. “Archon.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Barth, Markus. Ephesians (AB). 2 vols. Garden City: Doubleday, 1974

Betz, Hans D. “Authorities.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Cohick, Lynn H. The Letter to the Ephesians (NICNT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2020

CSB Tony Evans Study Bible. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers 2019

Breshears, Gerry. “Spiritual Warfare.” Biblical Training Academy. BiblicalTraining.org/learn/academy/th251-spiritual-warfare

Feldmeier, R,. “World Rulers.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Hoehner, Harold. Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002

Ramirez, John. Armed and Dangerous: The Ultimate Battle Plan for Targeting and Defeating the Enemy. Chosen Books. 2017

Ramirez, John. Fire Prayers: Building Arsenals that Destroy Satanic Kingdoms. Charisma House. 2023.

TESTUDO. https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/roman-army/military-formations-of-ancient-romans/testudo/amp/

Yoder Neufeld, Thomas R. Put on the Armour of God: The Divine Warrior from Isaiah to Ephesians. JSNTSup vol 140. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997