EPHESIANS 6:10-13

Here, Paul brings light to a supremely unexplored subject in modern Christianity. These few verses have lost meaning in a culture that has been consumed by the theory of naturalistic evolution. Still, it should be clear that the first-century writers believed that the world had other forces at work within it. These nefarious and malicious forces were at work in the natural world as much as they were in the hearts of humanity. One of our primary responsibilities is to fight intently against these forces. Modern Christians have a tendency to do the opposite. They lean into their sinful discernment and sinful nature instead of exorcising it and denouncing allegiance from it. For Paul, this is an essential aspect of Christian unity. This is due to the nature of our sin and its effect on our relationship with God. Many have not understood that our sin was not only a willful replacement of God’s standard with our own, but it was a switching of sides.

For us to stand with God in unity, requires us to stand against the devil, his forces, and what he represents. In this way, unity with God and believers is spiritual warfare. Therefore, we are admonished to take on a warrior’s garb. There should be a built-in awareness of the cost of unity, and the preparedness to take on the cost. All Christians should live with an understanding that the cost to align with God (once again) is an all-out attack from the world on multiple fronts. This is why knowing the blessings of God’s armor and donning it is of such importance.