Ephesians 6

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“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,” (Ephesians 6:14).

How to Apply It:

· Pursue the truth on a specific topic, but don’t forget to grab hold of the fullness of Scripture. Don’t just study the parts that come easy for devotional reading. Press into the whole counsel of God’s word.

· Pray with God’s word. Use the word of Truth as a template to guide your prayers.

· Memorize the truth for quicker access when you need it. Cover your world with Scripture on post-it notes, screen savers, décor, and anything that will help you remember God’s word in the spiritual battle.

“…with the breastplate of righteousness in place…” (Ephesians 6:14).

How to Apply It:

· Soak in and obey instructions from the Lord. If an area of life feels like it gets easily tangled up in sin, ask a church leader to share some scriptural truths that might help you walk in the Lord’s plan more fully.

· Ask a trusted person to pray for you if you struggle with obedience. All Christians struggle, but none were meant to struggle alone. We make easy targets for the enemy when we do not obey God.

“…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

How to Apply It:

· Ask the daily Lord to remind you of His gospel work on your behalf.

· Set your security and identity in His work and not yours.

· Surround yourself with Scripture about the truth of your place with Christ into your heart. And remove the input that steals your sense of security in Christ.

 “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,” (Ephesians 6:16).   

How to Apply It:

· If your faith feels less confident than you wish it did, ask the Lord to increase your faith (Mark 9:24).

· Find verses that feed your faith and fill your world with them.

· Set your faith in God’s righteousness, not on a circumstance.

“Take the helmet of salvation,” (Ephesians 6:17).

How to Apply It:

· Surrender thoughts that don’t line up with Scripture. As Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

· Remember the Lord’s character and faithfulness in Scripture as well as in your life experience.

· Wash your mind with the renewing of God’s Word. As Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”.

 “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). .

What it Means and How Jesus Applied It

The explanation of this piece of armor is right there in the verse – it is the word of God. And it is the only piece of armor that is both defensive and offensive.  

“When we are tempted, the most effective weapon that God has given to us as believers is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

“Jesus modeled this so beautifully during His temptation in the wilderness. When the devil tried temptation after temptation against Him, Jesus used the sword of the Spirit (see Luke 4:1-13).”

When the devil tempted him three times, Jesus responded with the truth of God’s word – every time.