Evil Hurts Everyone: so watch yourself and pray - 27 August 2006

scripture focus

Eph 6:10-20

theme

engaged in the battle against evil

summary

evil hurts everyone, but there is much that we can do about it

We were reminded by Paul, in last week's reading from Ephesians (5:15-20), to "make the most of the time, because the days are evil" (:16). What is the nature of the "evil days" in which we live? What impact does this evil have on people and on the Church? If it has an impact, what might Christians do about it?

We are going to consider how the apostle Paul addresses these questions. Hopefully, we will accept the answers that he has for us, despite the ugly picture that he paints.

Between last week’s lectionary assignment and this week’s, Paul wrote of the challenges of being a Christian "in the world, but not of" (Jn 17:14-15), by highlighting the loci of such struggles as within marriage, between parents and children, and in the workplace (Eph 5:22-6:9).

What are examples of struggles that people face in their marriage, in their family, in their workplace? How does which Christian faith presents a healthy alternative?

It is important for Christians to conduct themselves in such a manner as to draw the admiration of others. Living by biblical principles may draw scorn and insults, but is inherently attractive because it is never unethical.

There is a "finally" that connects today's reading with this extended, but overlooked, passage, which brings us to a climactic realisation: the Christian life is one of battle with powers other-worldly as much as worldly.

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

¹⁹Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Earthly battles are troubling enough to not have to worry about supernatural struggles. We all battle worldly and other-worldly battles, whether we recognise them or not. We all need help. We all need protection.

Regarding the supernatural reality in which believers find themselves, our "armour" is almost all defensive in nature. This highlights the point that the battle against evil is God's; with our primary role being to defend ourselves. In relying on God's protection is our strength found, rather than relying on ourselves.

Paul uses the imagery of armour for the benefit of an Ephesian readership, which would have been accustomed to daily running-across battle-ready Roman soldiers. Ironically, Paul utilises this contrast with the enemies of the Church (e.g. the Roman Empire) to reinforce his point.

The armour begins with "the belt of truth" (:14a), a precious commodity in a contemporary world of 'spin' and intentional mass-deception.

Our 'vital organs' are protected by "the breastplate of righteousness" (:14b). Righteousness begins in the 'heart' of those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Mt 5:6). Living righteously (i.e. in right standing with God) involves reflecting on, and living by, the example of Jesus, in submission to the Spirit, all of which will put the Church at odds with the world without.

The inclusion of "shoes" (:15) indicates that the Christian journey, to proclaim the Gospel, is long, but gloriously worthwhile (Isa 52:7; Rom 10:14ff).

The Roman shield was large, able to withstand arrows (:16), particularly when held side-by-side. So too, in the Christian life there is strength in numbers. Christians need the support and encouragement of other Christians, within a community of faith, that lives in trust and obedience together.

The helmet of salvation (:17a) protects one's head, with which one reflects and learns. In the midst of conflict and/or chaos, we quickly reveal our natural inclinations and habits, falling into old or immature patterns of behaviour. It may take all our concentration, and remaining few resources, to discern the will of God to live righteously, but to do so we must!

Now Paul finally moves to a position of attack! The "sword of the Spirit" (:17b), like the Roman sword, is a double-edged sword; our sword, however, "pierc[es] until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb 4:12). Our sword judges both believer and unbeliever alike. The sword of the Spirit corrects as much as it instructs.

While the language changes subtly, I believe that there is no reason not to also imagine prayer as a weapon, included in the armour of God. Prayer engages us in the battle; in communion with God we find the strength to overcome and to win. Even while in chains, the soldier of Christ can still fight!

Prayer is described as having three spheres: personal requests, on behalf of others, on behalf of the proclamation of the Gospel and its ministers. It is hard to imagine prayer as a weapon, when it seems so humble and passive, but when you accept the reality of the spiritual battle, our weapon is not of this world, having effects beyond what we may perceive.

The Church in the Middle Ages was closely aligned with political power, and would likely have found this passage curious.

The church’s peculiar identity and vocation become clearer when it is ignored or confronted with disdain, and its message seen as unworthy of serious intellectual consideration.

When churches are vandalized or burned, when governments seek to curtail church-based ministries of compassion toward the poor, when religious leaders are not seriously consulted on public policy but only used for political advantage, when media regularly portray clergy as scoundrels or buffoons, then the church finds itself in a hostile time and arena where the assaults of evil are many, varied, and regular. When the church examines and critiques the values driving the culture —no-holds-barred capitalism, environmental destruction, materialism, hedonism, classism, excessive nationalism and ethnocentricity— then the church is afforded the opportunity to articulate clearly its gospel as distinct from that culture, both to itself and to those who have ears to hear in the culture (most likely its marginalised victims).

There is no question that we live in difficult times: God exists, but is delayed in his efforts to restore this world to its original glory by our sinfulness and the efforts of evil, in whatever form it expresses itself.

There are principles to live by that not so much reduce the evil we endure as ensure that we are not the cause of evil or suffering. If we live righteously —that is ethically, by biblical principles— regardless of the outcome, then we have nothing to fear, both now or in the eternal future.

God is our strength and our protection. He provides us with armour for defence and weapons so as to engage the battle we are in, whether we like it or not.

What evidence of such a battle have you witnessed in your life? When has God come to your aid? When has given you strength when you felt weakest?

With knowledge of the battle, and certainty of God provision and protection, we can ‘step-out’ in confidence. Let us pray for confidence and the courage to trust at all times, to live righteously in all situations.

sermon delivered by Ian Forest-Jones
at Hurstville Church of Christ
on Sunday, 27 August 2006 at 6pm
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