VV.10-12 - “Preparing for Spiritual Warfare”
In his closing chapter to the Ephesians, Paul offered some final warnings and instructions. After his words addressing unity, moral living, and family, Paul finished by instructing the Ephesians to be “be strong in the Lord”. The Greek word is endynamo, the origin of dynamite. They were to be strong in the power (kratos, referring to God’s dominion) of his might (ischys, referring to God’s forcefullness).
Paul is using very strong, military words to instruct the Ephesian church. He even orders them to “put on the full armor of God”. At this point, many Bible students will rush to get to the specific pieces of the armor. However, it is important to understand why the armor is needed. Paul explains this reason is, “that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Wiles (methodeia, with travel) refers to the schemes and plotting of the devil.
The Bible is not extremely clear concerning exactly how Satan operates on the earth, but he IS on the earth plotting and scheming. In fact, in verse 12, Paul explains Satan’s strategy of waging war. The Christian’s great threat is not a physical battle. Instead, the Christian is faced with engaging in spiritual warfare. The war is with principalities (arche, this is an ancient threat), powers (exousia, influence), and spiritual rulers of darkness in this world. Make no mistake, Satan is very active in the world today.
We need the full armor of God to stand against the wiles of the devil. What are his wiles?
Deception - Satan’s first attack on humanity and God was an act of deception. In Genesis 3:1-5, Satan deceived Adam and Eve by lying to them. He has been at work lying and deceiving ever since. We may read the story and think how foolish they were, but Satan has convincuse that: men can be women, it is okay to kill babies, promiscuity is normal and there is nothing wrong with it. He convinced humanity that the wisdom of the ages is incorrect. People have become arrogant and believe they are wiser than those who came before them.
Obstruction - While Satan is not directly mentioned in Genesis 6:1-5, his scheming is clearly on display. God had promised that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. However, Satan plotted to corrupt the bloodline of the human race so that the seed could never come. To this day, Satan continues to try and get in the way of God’s desire for the Gospel of Grace to be shared. Foreign nations are hostile to Christianity, the Bible has been banned from public schools, and churches have become confused on what the Gospel even is. He has even obstructed God’s order of creation and has waged war on families.
Provocation - Most Christians are familiar with David’s great sin with Bethsheba. However, there was another occasion in which David sinned against God. 1 Chronicles 21:1-4 records that Satan provoked David to sin against Israel by taking a census. Prior to this, a census was only to be done by commandment of the Lord, often in preparation for battle. It would appear that David was taking matters into his own hands. In today’s society, Satan’s handiwork can be clearly seen. Women and men have been provoked to contempt towards each other. Men have been provoked rejecting marriage due to fear of being cheated. Women have been provoked to anger towards men for wanting them to be home makers… the list goes on and on.
Inculpulation - As far back as Job 1:6-11, Satan has challenged God that humanity would not choose to worship him if he did not bless them. Diablos means the accuser. This is the accusation Satan has brought against humanity. In some cases, Satan has proved to be right. There are many people today who refuse to acknowledge God because they are bitter about events in their life. They are only concerned with the temporary instead of the eternal.
Imitation - Isaiah 14:12-14, Satan in arrogant pride had decided he wanted to make himself God. He has desired for men to bow and worship him. He has sought to establish his own kingdom on earth. Combining his work of deception, he has convinced people to reject God and his name has become the slogan for humanist ideology.
Temptation - In Matthew 4:1, Jesus himself was faced with the temptation of Satan. Once again, combined with deception, temptation is one of Satan’s primary weapons. He continually seeks to lead humanity astray through desires of the flesh. Such tactics have led many people to destruction. John warned of this in 1 John 2:16. The devil has been around for a long time. He is very familiar with the weakness of humanity. He continues to exploit those weaknesses.
These are all practices in which Satan engages. Be on the lookout for the wiles of the devil. However, there is one last role that Satan plays.
Instrumentation - In Revelation 12:12, John spoke of the days of tribulation in which Satan would be carrying out his oppression on the earth. However, this will all be in accordance with the will of God. Jesus said that all authority had been given to him. Satan is only allowed to be on earth because God determined it. Satan is nothing more than an instrument of God to carry out his will. God has not yet cast Satan into the lake of fire in order for humanity to
make their choice; will they bow to the one true God or will they reject him?
But be assured, one day Satan will no longer deceive, obstruct, provoke, accuse, imitate, or tempt. Neither will he be of any more use. On that day, (Revelation 20:7-10) he will be completely and totally defeated.
