Ephesians 6

Introduction

Paul continues on with the idea of "submission" in the relationship between children and parents, and between servants and master. He then expound on the well known passage about the armor of God. The passage made it clear that each Christian is engaged in spiritual warfare, whether he is aware of it or not. Putting on the "whole armor" is essential to ensure we are protected from the devil's schemes to discredit our testimony and make us ineffective soldiers of Christ. Paul also add on the importance of prayer, which takes us into the realm of the spirit where the true battle is fought. Without a healthy prayer lifestyle, a Christian may have all the weapons but unable to use it effectively in spiritual warfare.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (v1,4)

Observation

The phrase "obey...in the Lord" has been used by some to say that we should obey our parents only if the commandment is according to the will of the Lord. This is an incorrect interpretation and poor excuse. Some translations put it this way: "Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do." (NLT) or "Children, obey your parents as you would the Lord, because this is right." (Holman Christian Standard)

The motivation for children to obey their parents is consistent with the commandment for wives to submit to their husbands or for employees to respect their employers - that is, because of Christ and as if unto Christ. It is not reasonable to ask children to decide for themselves what is the will of God before obeying their parents.

The only time we stop obeying is of the instruction is one that causes us to sin (eg, to lie, to steal, to kill, to worship idols, etc.) and this applies not just to parents but to all human authorities. We must obey until the obedience means direct disobedience to God. Even then, we must maintain respect when we decline such sinful requests. 

Fathers have a balancing act to carry out - to discipline and instruct their children, yet without turning them into angry and bitter people. Fathers need to be firm but not overly harsh, fair but not overly strict, set high but reasonable expectations and yet ensure the children understand that they are loved no matter how they fail.

Application

Obedience to parents is the first training ground for obeying authority, including God, your church leaders, your future employers and your (future) husband. It doesn't matter how insignificant you think the request is (eg, lock the door, keep shoes neatly, etc), because the significance is in the obedience to the Word of God, that says to obey your parents. (Read proverbs for benefits of obeying parents.)

As a father, I have made many mistakes being the first time, but I do my best to adjust and adapt. My motivation is always to ensure my children has a secure future in all aspects. My model is how my heavenly Father treats me, though I can never be as perfect. I hope my children can forgive my shortcomings.

Mothers play an important role to support and enforce the father's rules and wishes, to explain to children the importance of respecting the father, and to privately advise the father if she thinks he is wrong. Otherwise, the father will be perceived as the "bad guy" and discipline will be difficult to maintain.  

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9

"Bondservants, obey your earthly masters ... rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man...Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him."  (v5,7,9)

Observation

It's estimated that one third of Ephesus' population were slaves. However, Paul's instructions apply to free men as well (v. 8). Employees are to respect and obey their employers and managers, except when obedience mean sinning against God or violates the country's laws. 

There is no work more or less sacred than any other as long as our work is unto the Lord. Employers must remember that everyone answers to the ultimate master, the Lord God, and to treat their staff fairly and kindly.

Application

Everyone has a "boss", even CEOs and business owners. Shareholders and Customers are their bosses. For kings, rulers and political leaders, the citizens are the bosses. For students, their teachers are their authorities. When everyone respects and submits to each other, there is great productivity, progress and peace for the whole nation.

As individual, we must have the right perspective of our secular work. We are first of all a full time Christian and part time worker somewhere. In reality there should not be a division between our "secular" activities on weekdays and "spiritual" activities on Sundays. Every day and every hour, our activities and work is "unto the Lord" and is considered spiritual. When we are orientated correctly then God's presence is felt and influences us in whatever we do.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-12

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  (v11,12)

Observation

There is a spiritual war between the army of Satan and the army of God, which started before the creation of man. (see Isa. 14:12-14).  Christians are always in the middle of the battle, though most are not always aware. Why? Because the war is for the souls of man, and Christians are God's instruments to save as many souls as possible.

Satan's strategy is simple - create disinterest of the gospel through temptations and discredit the gospel through ineffective Christians. If Satan can disrupt healthy spiritual lives of churches, families and individuals through internal conflicts and worldly distractions, he need not worry much about pre-believers as it's only by our examples will pre-believers be attracted to Christ.

Application

Most Christians struggle against life's challenges, difficulties and conflicts without understanding there's a parallel battle happening in the spiritual dimension that is disrupting their ability to respond correctly to God's will. 

If we have a better awareness, we will be able to see through the smoke screens that Satan and his forces throw in our way. We would realise that our parents, our spouses, our relatives or our church members are not the enemy. Saran is. 

We must not react to circumstances in our natural way or to take things into our own hands, but to rely on God's power for strength (v10), and to utilise the spiritual weapons that we will read about shortly.

We must realise that the most important thing - above our own pain and interests - is to stand firm in the unity of the Spirit. For once our unity is disrupted and Christians fight each other, then we are only helping Satan with his strategy and we begin to lose ground in many areas of our lives. 

Scripture: Ephesians 6:13-17

"Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (v14-17)

Observation:

A few key words to note. Firstly, the instruction is to "stand". Our fight against spiritual power is largely a defense strategy, not offensive. Why? Because Christ has already won the war. Satan knows he has lost the kingdom to the Son, so now he just wants to make sure as many souls don't get into the kingdom. There is only one offensive weapon - the sword of the spirit - this weapon is the only thing that can be used to remove the presence demons and evil. 

The second word is the "whole" armor of God. Enemies are smart enough to know your areas of vulnerability. Our weaknesses exist in our minds, emotions, and will. The causes can range from wrong upbringing, traumatic experiences, incorrect teachings, social influences, strongholds in certain temptations, and so on. The demons can figure this out and keep attacking the same weak points until we give in. We need the "whole armor" for complete protection.

Application:

Have we appropriated the "whole" armor of God? I will highlight these three:

- Righteousness. Of Christ, not of our own. The moment we are too overconfident and too proud to confess our sins daily, we have removed the righteousness of Christ and put on sinful self-righteousness. Confess to each other and confess to God!

- Faith. Satan attacks our hope in Christ. If circumstances and people make you lose hope, your faith in God will be weaken. How do we counter this? Trust and obey His Word. If you can't see it is working, that's because it is working in the spiritual realm, and that is faith.

- Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God. The sword is double edged, it can defend against Satan's attacks (temptations and lies) and evil presence (oppression /possession),  but it is also to be used to remove impure or erroneous thoughts and emotions from our hearts. Keep reading the word and understands the will of God for your life.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18-24

“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." (v18-20)

Observation

To be an effective soldier of Christ, putting on the whole armor of God is necessary but not sufficient. Just as important, we must also be on our knees in prayer. It is significant that prayer is not listed as one of the armor components. Rather, prayer is the vehicle that brings us into the spiritual battle field. Remember, the battle is a spiritual one and we cannot fight it or defend ourselves without praying in the spirit. Prayer includes supplication for our brothers and sisters’ protection and boldness to speak the gospel when opportunity is given.

Applications

Without praying, we may be well equipped with the armor, but not engaged in the battle at all. Often times we only pray for what we want. But in all the prayer models in the bible, the prayers are to pray for other people and for God’s kingdom (except for confessions and asking for forgiveness.) God already knows what we need in our personal life, but if prayer is an engagement in spiritual battles, then prayer ought to be foremost about protecting our loves ones from evil influences, giving them strength to do God’s will, to grow in maturity and knowledge of God’s love, and for opportunity and boldness to share the gospel.

Prayers for Ephesians 6

Lord, thank you for your counsel in the book of Ephesians. Help us appropriate it in our lives, especially as children of our parents, and as servants to our employers, that we may show forth Christ in our attitudes, and that our diligence and faithfulness in whatever we do are motivated by our dedication to you and not to man. 

Thank you for giving us the wonderful armor and weapons against the schemes of the devil. We know that although our Lord Christ has won the ultimate victory, the devil is still bent on disrupting our spiritual lives and to discredit our testimonies to the lost. Help us to be strong in your might and to pray at all times. Amen.