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Ephesians 6:10-20 - How to live as a follower of Jesus - Shebu John

by Canterbury Gardens Community Church
on May 11, 2025

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Ephesians 6:10-20 - How to live as a follower of Jesus - Shebu John

Devotional

Day 1: Be Strong in the Lord’s Strength, Not Your Own

The Christian life is not about self-reliance or mustering up your own strength to face the challenges of this world. Instead, it is a daily invitation to confess your dependence on God and to draw from His power and might. True strength for living as a follower of Jesus comes from surrendering your own efforts and relying on the grace and resources that God provides. This posture of ever-dependence is not weakness, but the very foundation of a vibrant, enduring faith. Each day, ask yourself whose strength you are truly relying on, and rest in the assurance that God’s strength is more than enough for every battle you face. [10:18]

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to rely on your own strength instead of God’s? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?

Day 2: Put On the Whole Armor of God

God has not left His people defenseless in a world filled with spiritual challenges and opposition. He provides the full armor needed to stand firm against the schemes and craftiness of the evil one. This armor is not just for moments of crisis, but for daily life, equipping you to withstand attacks and to hold your ground in faith. The focus is not on the enemy, but on God’s gracious provision and the victory already won in Christ. You are called to put on every piece of this armor, not just some, and to remember that you are not alone—God’s people stand together in this battle. [16:15]

Ephesians 6:11-13
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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 firm.

Reflection: Are you intentionally putting on the whole armor of God each day, or are there pieces you tend to neglect? What step can you take today to put on the full armor?

Day 3: The Armor’s Foundation—Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, Salvation, and the Word

The armor of God is made up of essential spiritual resources: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness from the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Each piece is a gift of grace, protecting and equipping you for the spiritual battles you face. These are not just abstract concepts, but practical realities that shape your identity, your actions, and your witness in the world. As you put on each piece, you are reminded of who you are in Christ and the resources He has given you to live for Him. [21:11]

Ephesians 6:14-17
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Reflection: Which piece of the armor do you most need to “put on” today, and how can you practically do that in your current circumstances?

Day 4: Christ Has Gone Before Us and Won the Battle

The call to put on the armor of God is rooted in the reality that Jesus Himself has already fought and won the ultimate battle against sin and the evil one. He is the true and perfect fulfillment of every piece of the armor—righteousness, truth, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word. Because of His victory, you are invited to stand firm, knowing that your salvation and security are found in Him. The Christian life is not about striving for victory, but living from the victory Christ has already achieved, trusting in His finished work and following His example. [31:15]

Isaiah 59:17 (ESV)
He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus has already won the battle for you change the way you face spiritual struggles or temptations today?

Day 5: Stand Together and Pray—The Battle Is Fought on Our Knees

The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation; God calls His people to stand together, supporting one another in prayer and unity. The true battlefield is often found on our knees, as we depend on God and intercede for each other. Prayer is not just an add-on to the armor, but the posture that undergirds and activates every piece. As you go about your day—whether at home, at work, or in your community—remember that you are part of a spiritual family, called to pray for and with one another, relying on God’s strength and grace together. [36:38]

Ephesians 6:18
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

Reflection: Who is one person in your church family or community you can pray for today, and how can you reach out to encourage them in their spiritual battle?

Sermon Summary

In Ephesians 6:10-20, we are reminded that life as a follower of Jesus is not lived in peacetime, but in the midst of a spiritual battle. The world we inhabit is marked by brokenness, temptation, and the schemes of the evil one, yet God has not left us defenseless. Instead, he graciously provides all that we need to stand firm and live for him. Our strength is not found in self-reliance or personal ability, but in the Lord and the power of his might. This is a daily invitation to surrender, to confess our dependence, and to rest in the resources God supplies.

The armor of God is not a mere metaphor, but a spiritual reality for every believer. Each piece—the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of gospel readiness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit—points us to the sufficiency of Christ and the grace we have received. These are not tools to be picked up only in crisis, but gifts to be worn daily, equipping us to withstand the enemy’s craftiness and to advance the mission of Christ in the world. The focus is not on the enemy, but on the God who has already won the victory through Jesus.

This battle is not fought alone. The call is to stand together as the church, united in Christ, supporting one another in prayer and perseverance. The Christian life is not about individual heroics, but about a community clothed in God’s armor, holding ground for the sake of the gospel. In every season—whether in the home, the workplace, or the valleys of suffering—God’s provision is sufficient. The invitation is to put on the whole armor, to pray at all times, and to remember that Christ has gone before us, securing our victory and calling us to join him in his mission.

Key Takeaways

1. True strength for the Christian life is found not in self-reliance, but in daily dependence on the Lord. The call to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” is a call to surrender our own efforts and rest in God’s power, confessing our need for him in every circumstance. This posture of humility is the foundation for spiritual resilience. [10:02]
2. The spiritual battle we face is real, but our focus must remain on God’s provision, not the enemy’s schemes. The devil’s craftiness is subtle and persistent, yet God equips us with everything necessary to withstand and expose his lies. Victory is not about obsessing over the enemy, but about standing firm in the resources and identity we have in Christ. [16:45]
3. The armor of God is comprehensive and communal. We are not called to put on only parts of the armor, nor are we meant to fight alone. The imagery in Ephesians is addressed to the whole church, reminding us that spiritual endurance and mission are sustained together, as we support and pray for one another in the battle. [18:45]
4. Each piece of the armor points us back to Christ and the gospel. The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, and so on, are not abstract virtues but realities grounded in what Jesus has accomplished. He is the one who wore the armor perfectly, faced the enemy, and secured our salvation—so our confidence is always in him, not in our performance. [31:15]
5. Prayer is the posture of the battle-ready Christian. The true battlefield is often found on our knees, in humble dependence and intercession. As we put on the armor, we are called to persevere in prayer for ourselves and for all the saints, trusting that God hears and acts for his glory and our good. [32:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - Encountering Jesus Changes Everything
[01:15] - Praying for God to Speak
[02:04] - Reading Ephesians 6:10-20
[03:38] - What Threatens Our Faith?
[04:59] - Living in a Genesis 3 World
[05:41] - The Christian Life is Wartime
[06:26] - Are We Battle Ready?
[08:38] - Be Strong in the Lord, Not Yourself
[11:22] - Daily Surrender and God’s Strength
[14:22] - The Whole Armor of God
[16:45] - The Schemes of the Devil
[19:28] - The Armor Explained: Truth, Righteousness, Peace
[25:10] - The Shield of Faith and Helmet of Salvation
[28:50] - The Sword of the Spirit and Using the Whole Armor
[30:22] - Jesus, the True Warrior
[32:46] - Prayer: The Posture of Battle
[34:35] - Living Out the Armor in Everyday Life
[36:06] - The Battle is Together
[37:20] - Closing Prayer and Response

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 6:10-20 — (This was the main text for the sermon.)

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 6:10-20, what are the different pieces of the armor of God, and what does each one represent?
In the passage, who or what does Paul say our real struggle is against?
The sermon mentioned that the armor is not just for individuals but for the whole church. Where do you see this communal aspect in the passage or in the way Paul addresses the church? [18:45]
What does Paul say is the purpose of putting on the whole armor of God? (Look for repeated words or phrases in the passage.)

Interpretation Questions

The sermon said, “Our strength is not found in self-reliance or personal ability, but in the Lord and the power of his might.” Why do you think Paul starts with this reminder before talking about the armor? [10:02]
The devil’s schemes are described as “crafty” and “subtle.” What might this look like in everyday life, and why is it important not to focus only on the enemy but on God’s provision? [16:45]
The armor of God is described as both “comprehensive and communal.” How does this challenge the idea of the Christian life as a solo journey? [18:45]
The sermon said that each piece of the armor points us back to Christ and the gospel. How does understanding this change the way we think about spiritual battle? [31:15]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about daily surrender and confessing our dependence on God. What is one area of your life where you tend to rely on your own strength instead of God’s? What would it look like to surrender that area to him this week? [10:02]
When you face temptation or discouragement, which piece of the armor do you most often forget to “put on”? How can you remind yourself to use all the resources God has given you, not just some? [14:22]
The sermon emphasized that the Christian life is not about individual heroics but about standing together as the church. Is there someone in your life or in this group who needs your prayer or support right now? How can you practically encourage them this week? [18:45]
The “shoes of gospel readiness” are about being prepared to share the good news of Jesus. Where has God placed you (home, work, school) where you can bring peace and hope? What is one step you can take to be more intentional about this? [24:55]
The sermon said, “Prayer is the posture of the battle-ready Christian.” What does your prayer life look like right now? Is there a specific way you want to grow in prayer for yourself or for others? [32:46]
The armor of God is described as a gift to be worn daily, not just in crisis. What is one practical habit you can start (or restart) to help you “put on” the armor each day? (For example: a morning prayer, reading a verse, or a reminder on your phone.) [14:22]
The focus is on the God who has already won the victory through Jesus. How does remembering Christ’s victory change the way you face challenges or spiritual battles in your life? [31:15]