Finale
In the verses leading to Eph. 6:18-19, i.e. Eph. 6:10-17 the Apostle Paul reaches the “Finale” of this great Epistle by reminding us of the true struggle that we are facing: “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,” (Eph. 6:12). By putting on the “full armor of God” we establish our “defensive” position of “standing,” but he then continues to tell us of the offensive weapon we are to use, “…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17). But that is not the complete story.
The story is completed only when we do all of that “praying always with all prayer and supplication …”
The reason for standing, putting on the full armor and taking up the weapon of the Word, is to defend against the “spiritual hosts of darkness,” and to “ …demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God …” (2 Cor. 10:5). All of that is necessary, but it is not sufficient and complete without the final weapon of prayer and supplication given in this passage. Normally the prayer component is not considered as a “weapon” but I have recently learned that it is.
Invariably I am driven by a temptation to carry out seemingly noble tasks without examining my real motives. In several recent cases I ask myself: Was I driven by a clear calling or some hidden need for “selfish ambition?” Was I driven by a clear calling, or an inner feeling of not “letting go” of what I was holding onto? Yes, in each case, I had put on the full armor and read the Word as it applied to that situation, but did not bow down to my knees in prayer to seek what the Spirit was finally telling me. So often, I have missed or failed to heed the “angel on the road” so that, I am later on almost crushed. But without facing what had happened and truly “confessing” my sin, and that missed prayer opportunity, I could not have resolved the matter.
A “light” came this morning from an internet devotional to remind me that after conviction and repentance, feeling guilty is not the answer. Yes, I needed to confess to Him, but he had already borne my guilt. All glory goes to Him.
Discussion Questions
- Do you recall a situation where you went against all advice, only to realize that you were wrong?
- Has your guilt feeling festered without resolution?
- Have you tried to become a good spiritual advisor to your friends based on your own pitfalls?
- How did prayer finally “seal the deal?”
Atif: This is a time of celebration to look back on the storms and how He has taught us through them…remembering that although guilt has been paid for on the cross, it is an essential part of the journey…it is a welcome teacher that drives us to saving conviction, and action, like Jonah or Job, or King David, or a long list of those who have walked before us! We have to embrace guilt not avoid it, and heed the lesson He is teaching us, as facing it squarely as the Spirit leads brings about reconcilliation, restoration, restitution…and the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Much love, Caroline
Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain — and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot — and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”