Ephesians 6:10-11, New International Version

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

In the final section of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul brings our attention to a powerful reality: We are in a battle. Not a battle of flesh and blood, but one that is spiritual in nature. He writes, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (v. 10). Paul doesn’t tell us to be strong in ourselves, in our plans, or in our efforts. He points us directly to the source of our strength—the Lord Himself. This passage is not a call to fear, but a call to readiness. As believers, we must be aware of the unseen battle and know how to stand our ground with God’s armor firmly in place.

Paul describes this armor piece by piece: The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Each piece is essential, and none are optional. These are not abstract ideas—they are spiritual tools for real-life situations. The truth of God guards us against the lies of the enemy. Righteousness protects our hearts. The gospel gives us footing to stand strong. Faith shields us from the fiery darts of doubt and fear. Salvation reminds us of our identity in Christ. And the Word of God is our weapon, sharp and active.

Paul then urges believers to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (v. 18). Prayer is the glue that holds the armor together. It’s through prayer that we stay connected to the power source—God Himself. In every season, whether we feel weak or strong, we are called to pray with persistence and alertness, not just for ourselves but for all of God’s people. The spiritual battle is not fought alone. We stand together as the body of Christ, encouraging one another and lifting each other up in prayer.

This passage is not meant to intimidate us but to prepare us. God has not left us defenseless. He has given us everything we need to stand firm. The key is not just to know about the armor, but to put it on daily—to live clothed in truth, faith, righteousness, and the Word. As we do, we are reminded that the victory does not rest on our strength but on the finished work of Christ. So, when the day of evil comes, we can stand—not shaken, not defeated, but strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

(All scripture quotations in this article are from the New International Version)