Chapter 75 - Armor Paraphrased

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Ephesians 6:10-18:

10 Finally, be empowered with the heavenly force of the indwelling life (zoe) of Christ and the immeasurable manifestation of His provided strength.

11 The heavenly force of His indwelling life (zoe) and the immeasurable manifestation of His provided strength is experienced by putting on His full armor. It enables the New Testament church to stand firm and not be moved by the deceptive schemes of the devil.

12 Ultimately, the struggles of the New Testament church are not physical, perpetrated by a human enemy, but spiritual, committed by an evil array of heavenly beings. Aligned under the authority of the devil, they temporarily rule the atmospheric heavens of this present darkened earth.

13 Empowerment with the heavenly force of the indwelling life (zoe) of Christ and the immeasurable manifestation of His provided strength available through His full armor enables the New Testament church to remain steadfast when confronted with the schemes of the devil and his wicked, spiritual forces on the day when they attempt to execute their deceptive schemes.

14-15 First, putting on the full armor of God requires knowing and trusting that the New Testament church has already been clothed in Christ. By His Spirit, He indwells and protects His body. One with God in Christ, His body shares all of the attributes of His nature. They include but are in no manner limited to truth, righteousness, and peace. Having been unconditionally clothed in Christ is necessary for empowerment with the heavenly force of His indwelling life (zoe) and the immeasurable manifestation of His provided strength.

16 Second, knowing that it has already been clothed in Christ, the New Testament church is to take up faith, hope, and the Spirit-illuminated word of God. Do not stop with knowledge alone. Continually recognize that Jesus Christ is with His body in the midst of battle by taking up the “shield of faith.” Actively count on His immediate presence and trust in the empowerment of the heavenly force of His indwelling life (zoe) and the immeasurable manifestation of His provided strength. It will serve to extinguish the slow-burning lies, accusations, and conflict perpetrated by the devil.

17 In addition, know that the schemes of the devil are temporary. Therefore, on the evil day, take up hope in the certainty of deliverance by empowerment with the heavenly force of the indwelling life (zoe) of Christ and the immeasurable manifestation of His provided strength.

By faith and hope in Christ, take up the word of God. However, do not take it up in a general sense alone. The indwelling Spirit of Christ will illuminate the specific word of God that is relevant to the particular scheme of deception chosen by the devil. Thus, the heavenly force of His indwelling life (zoe) and the immeasurable manifestation of His provided strength will be released against the schemes of the devil with specificity.

18 By the leading and enlightenment of the Spirit, pray always for the empowerment of God with the heavenly force of His indwelling life (zoe) and the immeasurable manifestation of His provided strength. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

© 2023 James Hiatt

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