2 Corinthians 10:3–5; Ephesians 6:10–17

Bible Studies for Life
Chair and Armstrong Professor of Religion, Department of Religion, Samford University

How can you keep from losing your mind?
2 Corinthians 10:3–5; Ephesians 6:10–17
In the Greco-Roman world in which Paul lived, wrestling was not only a part of a soldier’s training but was also taught to every youngster, and so in Greece, men were trained not only in grammar and mathematics but also in wrestling. Paul was using a familiar idea to remind his readers that the Christian life is one of conflict with spiritual forces seeking to undermine their relationship with God.

Watch Out (Eph. 6:10–12)
In these verses, Paul reminded his readers to watch out for the “wiles of the devil,” who has schemes and strategies to catch them unaware. As we watch out for the evil one, we also are encouraged to look up and see the resources God has provided for His people so that we can be “strong in the Lord and in His mighty strength.” One of the dangers of the metaphor of spiritual warfare is that it may suggest the possibility that the evil one may prevail against God’s Kingdom. Although our struggle may be against “principalities and powers,” we have the assurance that “He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world” and the victory of Christ over the powers of darkness has been accomplished in and through the cross and His resurrection.

Gear Up (Eph. 6:13–17)
Yet we have to be prepared by putting on the full armor of God. In his religious allegory Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan expressed it this way: “Christian considered again that he had no armor for his back; and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him the greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts.” We do not run away from the attacks of the evil one. We face temptation and resist it. The foundational garment is the “belt of truth.” God’s truth, which enables us to think clearly, helps us to be alert and not to be caught off-guard. In Isaiah 11:5, truth is referred to as faithfulness, which suggests that truth is not only a matter of knowledge but also leads to a change in character.

We are urged to put on the “breastplate of righteousness,” which may refer to having an assurance that we are in a righteous relationship with God through justification or may imply that our daily lives are characterized by righteous living. We wear the shoes of the gospel of peace, having attitudes and actions of peacefulness and remembering the words of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.”

In defending ourselves against the fiery darts of the evil one, we are to use the shield of faith. The Roman soldier used a large shield, some 4 feet by 2. It had a thick coating of leather, and soldiers often worked in units, and when the arrows of the enemy were flying toward them, they would place their shields in front of one another or above their heads, protecting one another against the enemy. Paul did not want to forget the “helmet of salvation,” which in 1 Thessalonians 5 is defined as the “hope of salvation.” As we anticipate the final victory of Christ over the forces of darkness, we gain strength and courage for the struggle we face. One vital part of our armor is what we carry in our hands — the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God that helps us to both ward off the enemy’s attacks and go on the offensive as we seek to share the message of God’s love. Finally we are to “pray.” In one sense, prayer is not a part of the armor, but as we put on the armor and engage in daily living, we need prayer to enable us to experience the power of God. 

Think Strategically (2 Cor. 10:3–5)
Paul was utterly convinced that our final victory is assured because we have “divine power to destroy strongholds.” Oscar Cullmann, a Lutheran theologian, spoke of the distinction between D-Day and V-Day in World War II. On D-Day, Allied troops entered France, in principle dooming the Third Reich. But it took many months of bitter fighting before the Nazis surrendered on V-Day, victory day. The cross was like D-Day, and Jesus’ return will be like V-Day. As we anticipate that final victory, we know that there are many battles to be fought and we need to put on the full armor of God.