HAVE YOU DONE ALL TO STAND?

Text – Ephesians 6:10-14A

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore . . .” Ephesians 6:10-14A 

INTRODUCTION – 

I love reading this passage of scripture; matter-of-fact, I make it a practice to pray every day that the LORD will allow me to put on HIS whole armor. I would never intentionally attempt to change what the word of GOD says, but I don’t think I have ever felt comfortable in my spirit reading verses 13-14 the way it is punctuated. I believe that it should be read this way:

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, 14 Stand therefore . . .”

I feel that by reading these verses in this way, it gives the reader a smoother and more direct transition as Paul proceeds to instruct us about the various parts of the armor. As we take the time to really think about what the writer is saying to us when he talks about the “wiles,” and to “stand,” I wonder how many times we really think about these two words as they pertain to what the writer is emphasizing here? Let us take a look at what the writer is saying as I talk to you a little around the subject:

HAVE YOU DONE ALL TO STAND?

POINTS – 

• “Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (V.11) – The writer is making us aware that we dare not leave any part of our being exposed for the devil to attack. He is also letting us know that it is not below the devil to be deceitful and crafty when it comes to attacking God’s people. The devil will also use all manners of trickery and cunning to attack GOD’s people (expound).
• “¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore . . .” (vv.13-14A) – As I have aforementioned, I prefer to read these verses as follows:

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, 14 Stand therefore . . .” 

• When Paul is telling us to “stand,” he is saying to us (Believers):

1. To stand ready and prepared for the devil’s attacks. There are many ways that the scriptures teach us to do this; everything from trusting and acknowledging GOD in everything we do, to always staying in communication (always praying) with GOD.
2. When we stand, we are to be of a steadfast mind; a mind that is stayed on the LORD and of the same mind as His (Philippians 2:5-18 expound).
3. To not be hesitant or wavering when it comes to making a stand against the devil (expound).

CONCLUSION – 

My sisters and my brothers, Paul starts off telling Believers that they are to be confident and bold in the Lord; knowing that He is giving us power and strength. But he is also letting us know that we should not be over-confident or arrogant, thinking that we can withstand the devil’s attacks on our own; we still need the armor that GOD has provided for us.

Beloved, do not fool yourselves, if the word of GOD says that we need to put on the whole armor of God that we might be able to stand against the devil’s attacks, don’t you think it would be wise to take heed to what the word says? (Expound and conclude).