The Forty Sixth Sermon, the Fourth on the Sixth Chapter - Ephesians 6:11-17
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians 6:11-17
In the earlier discussion, I explained why St. Paul speaks here about the strength and cunning of Satan. This is to awaken us, so we aren't caught off guard, as has happened many times before. Therefore, it is necessary for us to understand the nature of our enemy, which should motivate us to resist him. True, when we first consider our own weakness compared to Satan's schemes and preparations, we might be disheartened. However, the solution is clear, as I mentioned before, and as I will elaborate on further. First, he tells us that the battle we are engaged in is much harder and more perilous than if all the men in the world were against us because Satan's power surpasses them all. That is why he says our struggle is not against flesh and blood. With these words, he teaches us that our conflict is not solely with mortal men. It is true that men often challenge us, and they may serve as Satan's instruments to torment us. But that's not the real issue. The devil uses them to drive us to despair, provoke us to seek revenge, or make us complain against God. Ultimately, it is the wicked do not trouble us; they are incited by another, namely Satan, who is their ruler and directs their actions to achieve his ends. So, if we focus only on men, we are like dogs that bite at the stone thrown at them and neglect the hand that threw it. Similarly, we act foolishly when we think our struggle is only against men and fail to consider our invisible enemy. Therefore, let us remember the important point here, which is that Satan is our main adversary. Even though he employs various means to trouble us and turn us away from the fear of God, we must always keep our eyes on him to remain vigilant.
One might find it strange that the devils are the principalities of the air, lords of the world, and princes of heaven, as if they were somehow challenging God. However, when we understand St. Paul's intent, this becomes clear. There is no talk here of the devil having power that can rival God. Instead, we must firmly believe that the devil is an executor of God's judgments and can only do what is permitted and allowed by God. If we consider the first chapter of Job, where the devil appears among the angels, who are referred to as the children of God, seeking permission to cause harm, it should satisfy our understanding. While the devil seeks to pervert and disrupt everything, God keeps him restrained, and the devil can only do what God permits. Even when the devils scheme and plan, they cannot act without God's consent. Indeed, if God has ordained something and given them specific instructions, they can carry it out. However, it is essential to recognize that the devil having any power or authority over humanity, who are created in the image of God, is unreasonable. If we had remained in our original state as created by God, the devil would have had no advantage over us. But because we are now in darkness and enslaved by our fallen nature, the devil is referred to as the ruler of the world. Therefore, we must understand that St. Paul's elevation of the devil's power serves to emphasize the source of this power, as he will explain further regarding the darkness of the world.
And what is the source of this power? So that we do not think that God's sovereign rule is diminished by the devil's influence. Their power stems from the fact that this world is in darkness. Although the sun and moon shine upon us, we are still plunged into the dungeon of death and spiritual blindness because we are banished from the light of life, which is in God. Due to our lack of knowledge of Him, and our entanglement in wickedness, and the perversion of our reason, Satan reigns over us. Thus, the question of how the devils are referred to as the princes of the air and have such authority in this world, which was created by God, even though it has fallen from its original order due to the fall of man, is resolved. In any case, the devils have such power over us that we would be helpless against them if God were not our shield and protector, fighting on our behalf when we are powerless.
It's important to note that we need to suppress the foolish presumption deeply rooted in our hearts, where we tend to exalt ourselves. Scripture, however, calls us the slaves of the devil. As long as we do not have Jesus Christ as our King due to Adam's fall, the devil is our prince and has complete authority over us, and we are subjected to him. Despite the bravado of some who make claims and assertions, the Holy Spirit has spoken and issued an unalterable verdict that the devil is our prince, and we remain under his dominion until we are set free by our Lord Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the eighth chapter of John, where Christ liberates us from the curse, tyranny, and bondage of Satan.
Given our wretched and fallen state, the devil has authority over us, and we need to be rescued in a remarkable manner. This is why we must humble ourselves, as I explained earlier, and not rely on our perceived strength. We should also be vigilant, seeking God and praying for His protection, so that we are not given up as prey to our enemies. It is crucial for each of us to recognize that, even though we can do nothing on our own, God works through us. He does not want us to be mere spectators but to actively engage in the battle, overcoming all obstacles and challenges. Thus, while we may encounter hindrances and difficulties, we must press on without letting them deter us.
In summary, we should understand this text to mean that we must continue to resist the wicked days until we have completed everything. St. Paul reminds us that it is not enough to fight valiantly for a month or a year; we must endure to the end, throughout our entire lives. Even though God sometimes grants us moments of respite from severe trials, there will always be times of great testing and temptation. Therefore, we must be prepared and equipped to face and conquer them. This is not contrary to God's will; He could choose to treat us more gently but often allows us to endure difficulties. As a result, we must be prepared for continual battles and challenges, always ready to overcome them. It is important to note that such trials serve to refine our faith, which is more precious than gold, as it is tested by fire, so that it may be purified and perfected.
Therefore, let us ponder well what is said here, namely, that we must finish what we start. This is so that no one should become complacent after holding on for a while and expending great effort in God's service. It is vital to continue until the end. Simple provides us with an example of this by his own actions. Even though he had accomplished remarkable feats, such as battling at sea and on land in various ways, he did not rest on his laurels. Instead, he declared that he forgot what was behind and pressed on, striving for the fellowship of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is to prevent people from thinking they have done enough and can now take it easy. Some might say, "I have laboured tirelessly for 20 or 30 years. The world has witnessed my faithfulness, zeal, and dedication to serving God. I have diligently carried out what my calling required. Therefore, I can now rest." However, we should not become complacent. Regardless of what we have achieved, we must forget the past and look ahead to the unfinished work. We have not yet attained the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and there are still many imperfections in us. Our faith needs further refinement, like gold in a furnace. Thus, we must persevere until we have completed everything.
To clarify, what is meant by "finishing all things" is living in obedience to our God and dying in accordance with His will. We should not desire to linger in this world until we are weary of life. Instead, we should always be prepared to depart when it pleases God. In doing so, whether we live or die, we continue to be devoted to God, offering ourselves to Him as true sacrifices. We should seek nothing more than to surrender our souls and bodies into God's hands. Therefore, we must stand firm, armed with faith, righteousness, truth, God's word, and the gospel, as described by St. Paul.
It is not necessary to dwell on why St. Paul assigns the title of helmet, breastplate, and shield to different aspects of the Christian's armor. In his first epistle to the Thessalonians, he briefly touched on the same concept, mentioning the helmet of faith and charity. The intent here is not to provide a detailed breakdown of each piece of a Christian's armor, but to convey that by accepting the means provided by God and diligently serving Him, we will be equipped with all the necessary pieces. We need not fear, as we will have the means to withstand and overcome our enemies. St. Paul's primary message is clear. He emphasizes that we should live in truth, righteousness, and holiness, free from hypocrisy, and serve God with a sincere heart, not for appearance's sake but with genuine intent. We must understand that uprightness and soundness of life serve as our breastplate.
Thus, we must take to heart St. Paul's instruction that by putting on the armor that God provides, we will assuredly gain victory over all our adversaries. Righteousness is closely linked to this, serving as a guide for living in the fear of God, treating our neighbours with kindness, avoiding harm, fraud, malice, and extortion. Instead, we should seek to do good to one another, aiming for the common welfare. The devil may easily deceive us and attack us without warning, day and night, if we lack this righteousness. Unfortunately, many are content with superficial actions and avoiding outright rebellion against God, thinking it sufficient to avoid being openly despised by His Majesty.
If we merely put on a façade of religion, feigning righteousness and presenting a pleasing outward appearance, we might believe we have fulfilled our duty. In reality, the devil may have led us away from the true substance and soundness of faith, as described by Simpel. Similarly, concerning righteousness, we may proclaim with our mouths that it is right to serve and honour God, live in harmony with one another, and strive to do good deeds. We may condemn theft, extortion, adultery, deceit, and injustice. However, we may be content with offering God very little and expect Him to be satisfied with it. This attitude leaves us vulnerable to the devil's influence, allowing him to gain a stronger hold on us. It would be wiser for us to persevere in our faith and remain steadfast.
Many people may initially show great zeal and commitment, but their fervour fades quickly. Why? Because they are not adequately protected against Satan's schemes. To support this, if we follow the guidance given here, it is clear that God's promise will not disappoint us. While Paul encourages believers to stand firm and endure to the end, there is a certain guarantee that God will always come to their aid when needed, ensuring they are not left disappointed. This is contingent on them remaining under His banner, continually relying on His power, and using the means provided through His Word. Thus, if cowardice and fear of the devil lead us to stumble, deviate from the right path, and stray from the way of righteousness, the fault lies with our own negligence. This is because we have failed to put on the spiritual armour God has provided but have instead hung it up on a peg.
Next, Paul mentions that we should have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. This description may remind us of the ancient practice of soldiers who wore shoes only when going to war. These shoes served to protect their feet from the cold and to provide stability in battle against the enemy. Paul is suggesting that the gospel functions as our spiritual footwear, enabling us to walk safely through the world. Unbelievers, not prepared to receive the gospel, find themselves deeply entangled in the affairs of the world, as if their legs were broken, sinking deeper into worldly concerns day by day.
The only way to navigate this world and reach the kingdom of heaven is to possess the guidance found in the Gospel. In the Gospel, we learn that God, having chosen us as His children, does not intend for us to dwell on this Earth indefinitely. Instead, He desires us to come to Him swiftly.
Furthermore, the Gospel teaches us to separate ourselves from the impurity of unbelievers. This separation is crucial.
Now, turning to the term "preparation" used by St. Paul, it signifies that if we have the wisdom to benefit from the Gospel, we will be liberated from all hindrances preventing us from approaching God. What do we discover within the Gospel? We learn that previously, we were in a kind of spiritual slumber, lost in our pleasures and vanities. The world is in darkness, and as long as we remain in it, we seem to sleepwalk, unable to perceive the way ahead. Without rescue by our Lord Jesus Christ, we would remain lethargic and wander aimlessly in this darkness. Let us, therefore, prepare ourselves so that our loins are girded up in readiness, guided by our Lord Jesus Christ, who is aptly referred to as the light of the world. We must awaken from this spiritual slumber that ensnares unbelievers, keeping them trapped in the lower realm, leading ultimately to their destruction.
Understand that we cannot fully benefit from the Gospel until we are adequately prepared. This entails distancing ourselves from worldly distractions. God must draw us closer to Him so that our sole purpose is to draw nearer to Him day by day until we leave this world. We must be entirely free from the bonds of Satan and any hindrances he might employ to impede our progress. Once we comprehend this, we will have gained valuable insight.
Lastly, Simpel adds another descriptor to the Gospel to inspire our affection for it, referring to it as the "Gospel of Peace." This designation serves to embolden us for the battle. It suggests that although our adversaries are formidable and we will face fierce conflicts, we should not be discouraged. We might be defeated repeatedly in a short span if God did not come to our aid.
However, if you do not reject the help that God offers but, instead, make it effective by resolutely resisting all evil, you will find peace amidst the turmoil. This is the remarkable blessing that the gospel always brings with it. It is a great achievement when we can engage in battle without fear. We see how those who lack peace are constantly troubled, without counsel or composure. Their hearts are troubled, and they are easily dismayed. Yet, we must carry our care with us, as mentioned earlier. If we are careless, we will quickly be overwhelmed. However, this care should not hinder us but rather allow us to enter the battle with a steady and resolute mind because God is on our side and will unleash His mighty power to defend us. This knowledge should bring us peace, so that no fear can turn us away or deprive us of sound judgment. Instead, it should drive us to God in prayer, seeking His aid and provision for all our needs, which He knows better than we do.
Now, we understand what Simpel means when he encourages us to take up the Gospel. It is not to bind us to this world but to prepare us to journey freely towards the kingdom of heaven. It also means having a peaceful heart to serve God, trusting assuredly that despite the troubles we endure, we will not perish. God has promised not only to help us in a single assault but to remain with us until the end, delivering us from all the grief and troubles we face today.
Furthermore, we must above all else take up the shield of faith and the spiritual sword, which is God's word. Concerning this shield, Simpel explains that it allows us to deflect the fiery darts the enemy hurls at us. Some might consider Simpel's distinction between God's Word and faith unnecessary, as they are essentially inseparable. Faith is grounded in God's Word, and God's Word is of no use unless received by faith. However, Simpel makes this distinction for clarity. He speaks of faith as the shield to emphasize that it is through faith that we ward off the enemy's attacks. He wants to make it clear that we are powerless on our own to resist the blows Satan can deliver, as they could be fatal. He points out that Satan's attacks are not only physical but also involve subtle means. He previously mentioned Satan's wiles, and here he refers to the devil's darts, emphasizing the need for us to be watchful against his cunning. Satan is the father of lies and employs various strategies to deceive and ensnare us. Therefore, we must heed these warnings to be vigilant and apply the promises found in God's Word to our lives. Simpel uses the term "fiery darts" to indicate that Satan's attacks can be lethal, but God's power preserves and defends us. This is the power of faith.
Now, consider that as much as is attributed to faith, that much is taken away from men. For faith borrows all things from God's pure grace and generosity. Therefore, let us understand that in this text, St. Paul intended to humble us and show us that God must provide us with all that belongs to and is necessary for our victory. So, whoever makes their shields out of any other fortifications devised to repel Satan will find them as weak as spider's webs. Satan will only mock their presumption. Even if they fortify themselves with all the mountains in the world, it will avail them nothing in times of need. Therefore, let us learn to make faith our shield. When we intend to enter the battle and persevere in it, let us remember that God is our Father, who chose us as His children out of His boundless goodness. He has assured us that He will always be on our side, for He is greater than the entire world. He has placed us under His care by appointing our Lord Jesus Christ as our shepherd. Let us gather all these promises together and fashion a shield from them to hold before us whenever we are assailed. Let us defy the devil because we are under the protection of our Guard, who possesses invincible power. Our Lord Jesus Christ has assumed the responsibility for our salvation and promised to faithfully guard our souls to the end. When we reach this point, we can fend off the devil's darts.
The devil will try to make us doubt God's grace on one side and believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is distant from us on the other. He may tempt us to murmur or complain against Him, engage in trivial and unproductive arguments, or even blaspheme. All of these are darts. Furthermore, when wicked desires or cravings stir in our hearts, we are vulnerable. Initially, these temptations may not seem harmful, difficult, or troublesome. Nevertheless, they are deadly darts. However, faith can repel them. For instance, if we are tempted with greed because we fear the earth will fail us, we should remember that God has undertaken the responsibility to nourish and sustain us. We can rely on Him and request our daily bread from His hand. If the devil tries to make us covetous, we should remember that Jesus Christ has incorporated us into Himself, making us His own members, one with Him. Shall we then defile ourselves with filth and impurity? If we are tempted with gluttony, we should reflect on whether we are subverting God's ordained order. He has created food for our use, but we should not turn these things into hindrances that lead us away from the heavenly life. If we are tempted by ambition to glorify ourselves, we should consider the example set by our Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, if we desire greatness in this world, we become enemies of God, for He resists the proud, and their pride and presumption must be humbled. In this way, we can repel Satan's darts in every situation.
And again, if any man opposes the saying, "How can you tell whether you will ever be better off for all your travels?" - whereas the thing that the gospel promises? Faith must work in this case, for we do not see the reward that is promised. Instead, we see a store of troubles, encounters, and sorrows. In short, we seem to be the most wretched creatures in the world. What shall we do then? We would need to quail every minute of an hour if God reached us not His hand. How do we take hold of His hand? That is to say, how do we benefit ourselves by His power? Faith must be found to work on His behalf. That is to say, we must look up to the things that are not seen, as the apostle says in the Epistle to the Hebrews. In this way, we shall beat back Satan's darts.
Now, finally, he added the word, which, as I said, a fourth should not be separated from faith. But I have already told you that he simply meant to add that saying for a further clarification of the matter. As if he had said, "My friends, when I told you that you might withstand your enemies and repel all their darts by means of faith, it is because God's word cannot fail you. Therefore, since you have the promises of salvation and God speaks to you, you know that He has you in His keeping, and you cannot be confounded if you trust Him. Therefore, I set faith before you as a shield. However, if you have faith, you have more shields than one, for God's word is the true spiritual sword. With it, we can not only repel our enemy but also discomfort him and conquer him under our feet."
What remains now is to learn to benefit ourselves better from God's word, just as we have learned from seeing that our Lord Jesus Christ grants us this inestimable grace and benefit by teaching us in His school. Let us consider, therefore, for what end He does this - to arm us against Satan. We cannot live in obedience to Him and keep the path He has shown us except by fighting, and He also gives us armour. Therefore, let us be assured that we have a good sword when we can skillfully apply God's word to our use. Moreover, that faith which precedes fear will be a good shield for us. We shall also have the helmet of the hope of salvation, and in short, we shall be thoroughly fortified on all sides. Our outcome will be the soundness of conscience and holiness of life, of which He has spoken.
Finally, we shall lack nothing if we can skillfully use the means that God has set forth for our warfare. So then, though the state of the faithful may seem as burdensome as it can be, because God exercises them against all the devils in hell, and not just for one day but for their entire lives, we must consider it sweet and amiable, knowing that God has provided for all our needs. At least, we should awaken to consider the dangers we face and resist them.
Let us consider, on one side, Satan's violence and force, and on the other side, his cunning and craftiness. With all this, let us call upon our God, as St. Paul will show us later. Also, let us consider the benefits that God's word brings us. Hereby, we see how wretched priests have stripped themselves of all the armor that should serve them for their salvation. What has become of the word of God among them? It has dwindled away. They have not been ashamed to propagate the blasphemy, both in their books and in their sermons, that there is no certainty in God's word. But we would be wrong to call it the spiritual sword if it did not protect us against all the assaults of Satan. We could not repel the temptations that provoke us to evil unless God's word served us there too. If we did not find it so by experience, St. Paul would never have given it that name.
Now, let us strive to benefit more and more from it, and let us be diligent students, paying close attention to it while God's mouth is open to teach us. We will find that St. Paul has not promised us in vain that we shall always prevail until we reach the Heavenly Kingdom, where we will fully enjoy the fruits of our victory.
Now, let us humble ourselves before the majesty of our good God, acknowledging our faults and praying that He makes us more aware of them. In the meantime, let us always turn to Him and not lose heart, even though we may feel unworthy to present ourselves before His Majesty or be discouraged by our vices and imperfections. Seeing that He is on our side, let us trust that He will provide the remedies we need. We should desire them from His hand and strive to profit from His Word so that it guides us to the end. This way, we will not falter in any encounter, and the devil will be confounded, while our Lord Jesus Christ is exalted. It is under His power that we fight, and our victory comes from Him.
May it please Him to grant this grace, not only to us but to all people, etc.