Ephesians 5:10-18

Ephesians 5:10-18 CJB

 

“Finally, grow powerful in union with The LORD, in union with His Mighty Strength! Use all the armor and weaponry that GOD provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the adversary. For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing the darkness, against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. So take up every piece of war equipment that GOD provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won you will still be standing. Therefore, stand! Have the belt of Truth buckled around your waist, put on Righteousness for a breastplate, and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of Shalom. Always carry the shield of Trust, with which you are able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of Deliverance; along with the sword given by The SPIRIT, that is, The Word of GOD; as you Pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in The SPIRIT, vigilantly and persistently, for all GOD’s people.”

 

Notice that the weapons of our warfare are: Truth, Righteousness, The Good News of Shalom, Trust, Deliverance, The Word of GOD and Prayer!

 

Truth – GOD is Truth and GOD is True! His SPIRIT and His Word reveal them to us! He cannot lie and He never changes!

 

Righteousness – GOD is Righteous and in Christ JESUS He makes us Righteous by His Grace; after that we have to work out our salvation by how we live and serve GOD!

The Good News (Gospel) of Shalom (Peace) – Peace that passes understanding is a Gift of The SPIRIT! The Good News of that Peace is salvation to the lost; so we must be ready and willing to go and share it next door or far away!

 

Trust (Faith) – the word faith has become to mystical in the Church today; but Trust is simple we trust GOD because no matter what He is Faithful to His Word, He cannot lie and He never changes!

 

Deliverance (Salvation) – we tend to think of salvation as being saved from hell; but it is really being delivered from our old sinful life by being born again to our New Spiritual Life in CHRIST JESUS! It is going from being separated from GOD by our sin to being the children and servants of GOD by The Blood of JESUS’ sacrifices!

 

The Word of GOD – JESUS is the Living Word and the printed Word is Divinely inspired for our instruction and edification in righteous living; whereby we maintain GOD’s Righteousness in our life! As JESUS spoke The Word of GOD during His temptation, so must we!

 

Prayer – prayer is our continual communication with GOD our Father; He knows our every thought and word; it is our directed thoughts and words to GOD for the salvation and needs of unbelievers and our requests for His forgiveness and correction, instruction and grace for ourself and His servants!