Power From the Inside Out (Eph 6:10-13)

[Eph 6:10-13; Eph 1:17-23; 2Cor 10:3-5]

Don’t forget that this epistle is a picture of the body of Christ, the church.

Verse 10 of Ephesians, chapter 6 is transitional. It introduces us to the conclusion of the letter. We now come into the life of witnessing. We are about to take up the weapons of our warfare. The reason the weapons are saved until the end of the book, is because the devil hits you the hardest when you spread the gospel. The whole letter to the Ephesians has been preparing and maturing the saints to be effective soldiers to stop the enemy and recover hostages.

It is beautiful how Paul’s letter has brought the revelation all the way from one person, God the Father, through the Son, and the Holy Spirit, then through all the ministry offices, and into the one body. Now the body can share the message to the world and win others to the Lord. This is where we do our combat. We come against the devil head-on because he is blinding the minds of the lost.

[6:10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

In this transition verse, “finally, my brethren,” means, “now for the rest of the story.” “Be strong in the lord” is a call to arms! Everything up till now has been boot camp. You should be ready for the battlefield. Trained to fight in the most powerful military force the world has ever known! Three of the five “power” words Paul used in his prayer for us back in chapter 1, verse 19, are brought together again here.

There are five Greek words translated “power” in the NT:

1. dynamis (doo’-nam-is) 1411 = Power, dynamo, dynamite.
2. kratos (krat’-os) 2904 = Dominion, strength, ruling power.
3. ischys (is-khoos’) 2479 = Endowed power, mighty, strength.
   (You’ll have to go back and listen to VB047 for the full list.)

Remember Paul’s intercession for the saints:

Eph 1:17-23 (NKJV) –[17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, [18] the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power [20] which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. [22] And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, [23] which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

The Greek words for power in this verse should be old friends by now.

[6:10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Be (doo’-nam-is) empowered, dynamically enabled in the Lord and in the (krat’-os) dominion, vigorous strength, with ruling power, of His (is-khoos’) endowed with power, a forceful mighty strength.

Be stabilized by the inner power that always keeps you upright. The power that is in your spirit. That forceful, ruling power that raised Christ from the dead was endowed to you the moment you recognized Jesus as your Lord and Commander in Chief.

[6:11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Put on the whole [complete] armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (strategies) of the devil. This verse is in the imperative mood. It is a command, (not a suggestion) so you have no option.

Paul was, at that time, an ambassador in chains. As he wrote this letter, he was locked up in the slammer, with two Roman guards outside. He could see those soldiers and their armor. The Lord revealed to him, through the Spirit, the weapons believers have in the spiritual realm. Paul was writing this from firsthand experience.

He tells us to “put on the whole armour of God that [we] may be able to stand. The word “able” here is the continuous present tense, meaning we must continue to stand. “Stand” means to hold your ground. Against what? Against the wiles (strategies and tactics) of the devil. Paul is using military terms, telling us to know how our enemy thinks, and to never underestimate the strategies of the enemy. Even though victory is already secured through Christ, we have to stand our ground and occupy until He returns.

This verse parallels Galatians 5:1: “Stand fast [hold your ground] therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.” This is also a military term meaning, “Once you have taken the high ground, hold onto it. Plant your flag. Dominate it – be a watchman over it and don’t budge!” Jesus conquered satan at the cross, and we are enforcing that victory.

[6:12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

The devil is somewhat organized. Originally, he was over the angels and just under the Godhead in authority. Lucifer rebelled and God knocked out his lights. Now all satan can do is counterfeit what he learned while in heaven.

This is my idea of the pecking order of satan’s Mafia:

1. First of all, he has “principalities,” from the Greek word arche (ar-khay’) beginning, principle rule, rank. As I see it, these are demons or familiar spirits (1^st class privates, infantry) who possess unbelievers and oppress believers. These are legions of imps, low-level devils, dedicated to carry out orders.
   The word arche (ar-khay’) is most often used as “the beginning of all things” (i.e. Jn 1:1,2) However, in the context of power or authority it is rendered “principalities.”
2. Then Paul lists “powers,” exousia, or authorities, delegated influence. These are his (non-commissioned officers) sergeants. These chain-of-command demons continuously relegate and bark out orders.
3. Next are the “rulers of the darkness of this world.” The Greek literally reads “world rulers of this darkness.” The “world” here is kosmos which means “world’s system.” The rulers of the darkness are possibly the demons that influence governments and kings.
4. Finally, there is “spiritual wickedness in high places.” The Greek says “wicked spirits in the heavenlies.” These are the demons that people say control nations, and perhaps are just under satan himself – managers of globalism making way for the antichrist.

I believe the reason there are so few details (in Scripture) about the hierarchy of these evil forces is that, their hierarchy is of little importance. Jesus gave us authority over all demons. He categorized them with scorpions and snakes (see, Lk 10:19). Without even knowing their names, a prayer of authority will pull down, bind up, or cast out any of them.

We could get all caught up with the “Prince of Persia,” and the timing of Daniel’s prayers getting answered (Dan 10:13). Or we could say that principalities over cities or nations are more difficult to deal with. Just remember, the Name of Jesus is above all names (Eph 1:21).

I believe that if there is a demon over a city or nation, it is not do to the strength of the demon, but because the sins of the individuals in the people group welcomed the demon.

It is because of the Persians that they have a principality – not that the principality, powerfully drew certain people to a certain location. Things haven’t changed since the garden. Demons still only have lies and suggestive temptations to offer. If they cause man to sin, then they can boast a little louder, and perhaps get a foothold or build a stronghold in the man to cause him to sin some more. That’s all.

We are to take dominion, with vigorous strength, and ruling power in the spirit. “Flesh and blood” refers to human nature. Our battle is spiritual, we do not fight men. We fight the demon powers that dominate carnal men.

[2Cor 10:3-5] –For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Our weapons are spiritual and will destroy the spiritual forces of evil. Only a natural man fights with physical weapons. The church cannot continue to be carnal, promoting arguments with each other, ignoring the Holy Spirit! If you failed boot camp (chapters 1-5), you will likely become MIA/POW in chapter six. Ready or not, it’s show time!

[6:13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Wherefore [because of Satan’s strategies] take unto you [pick up] the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day [the day of attack, pretty much every day], and having done all, to stand.

The weapons God has given to us are in front of us. We don’t have to go and find them. We just have to pick them up! How do we pick up our armor? Our weapons are words, and we pick up on what Holy Spirit says – by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation knowledge (Eph 1:17). “That you may be able to withstand [hold your ground] in the evil day.” Again, the evil day refers to any day that you are under attack.

“And having done all” is from a Greek word katergazomai1 (kat-er-gad´-zom-i), used 24 times in NT, which means to work fully, accomplish; by implication to finish, fashion, cause, to work (out), i.e. something on the inside working itself out. This refers to the inward power of the Holy Spirit bringing precise Scriptures to the surface through faith. The Holy Spirit gives us words to speak in the time we need them. Inward power becomes outward endurance to stand and win every battle.

“Having done all” refers to doing everything Paul has revealed in chapters 1-5. The realization of who we are in Christ, what we have in Christ, how the body is one, and how we walk out what the Holy Spirit has instilled inside us. The knowledge, operation, and authority of the body of Christ while on the earth. In my Bible, Ephesians is only 5 pages. Read the whole letter a few times to get the idea of what this means.

Perhaps most of all, “having done all” refers to all the struggles and battles we have won in the past, in the spirit realm.

When we pray in the Spirit, He helps us because of our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should. He who searches the hearts, the Holy Spirit, intercedes for the saints according to the Word of God. That’s how God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose (see, Rom 8:26-28). God turns bad things to good for people who love Him and pray in the Holy Ghost!

Jesus said, “Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the officials and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Lk 12:11-12). That’s “having done all” from the Greek word which means “something on the inside working itself out.”

Please know that as you receive this message, the Holy Spirit is empowering you – sowing incorruptible seeds of God’s Word into your spirit. It is important that you pick up the armor and put it on. It is also important to allow the Holy Spirit to pull out everything that is stored in you when you need it. Once you have done all of these things in order to be able to stand, stand. Don’t sit on the couch! Take your stand and tell someone what you believe. What good would it do to have all the armor in place, be prepared to stand, and then not stand? How many people today have been hearers only of the Word? They are prepared to stand, but they just won’t do it.

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond