“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,” Ephesians 6:10

WE MUST BECOME STRONG IF WE ARE TO SOLDIER IN THE SPIRIT.

Because there is a battle to fight. Tthe terms of war are linked with the Christian's pilgrimage. The Christian is called a soldier and our Redeemer is called the Captain of our salvation. There is a battle at all times and on many fronts.

There is the battle within against our sinful nature, Romans 7:23, I Cor 9:26-27, I Tim 6:12, II Tim 4:7, James 4:1, I Peter 2:11. What a war this is! There is the battle without against the devil and his agents. Verse 12, I Peter 5:8, Rev 12:17, 13:7. It is an unceasing warfare in which no quarter may be sought or given. The most serious consequences result from defeat in this warfare. Honour has been lost; purity has been lost, families have been lost; thrones have been lost; life's toils and labours have been lost; lives have been lost; eternal rewards have been lost. We must not allow our guard to fall.

It is a war which requires constant training and instruction.

He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms, Psalms 18:34. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight, Psalms 144:1. These last two quotations serve to underline the truth that it is a warfare that can not be fought in human strength. A consideration of Paul’s instructions to the Ephesians on the matter of spiritual warfare reads like a battle manual. They are the words of a very experienced commander to his troops. Here he identifies the enemy and his tactics. Here he points out the weaknesses of the troops that must ever be borne in mind. Here is the strategy for victory.