At the Every Nation Regional Leadership Training, Pastor Steve Murrell reminded us of something we can easily forget: what we do in ministry is practical, but at the same time, it is deeply spiritual. We plan, budget, train leaders, and plant churches, yet behind it all is an unseen realm.
The Heavenly Places
Paul keeps pointing us to “the heavenly places” in Ephesians:
- 1:3: We are blessed with every spiritual blessing there.
- 1:20: It is where Jesus is seated.
- 2:6: We are raised and seated with Him.
- 3:10: The church displays God’s manifold wisdom there.
- 6:12: It is where our real struggle takes place.
The unseen realm isn’t a fringe topic. It’s the backdrop of the whole letter.
Warfare Means Standing
In Ephesians 6, Paul doesn’t tell us to charge. He tells us to stand: stand against (v.11), withstand (v.13), stand firm (v.13), and stand therefore (v.14).
Spiritual warfare is standing your ground. We’re not chasing, attacking, or pursuing the enemy. We are protecting what God has already given us.
Three Keys
1. The strength of God. “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (v.10). Our endurance doesn’t come from willpower. It comes from His power.
2. The strategy of God. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood” (v.12). Notice the we. This is a team fight, not a one-on-one battle. We stand together. Your small group, your church, and your leadership team are part of God’s strategy.
3. The armor of God. Truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word. It takes time to put all of these on. There are no shortcuts to being spiritually dressed for battle.
Most of All: Pray
Paul ends the armor passage with this in verse 18: “praying at all times in the Spirit.” Prayer is what holds all the armor together. A leader who doesn’t pray is a soldier standing in full armor, asleep.
As leaders, we are to stand our ground. Be strong in His strength. Stand with your team. Put on the armor. And above all, pray.
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