Echoes from Ephesians: The Call to Live Victoriously

August 20th, 2025
by T.J. Nichols

The Call to Live Victoriously
Ephesians 6:10-18
Formation Pastor, Tony DeGruy

Quick Glance: For Your Heart Today
We are not just fighting daily struggles—we are engaged in a spiritual battle. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6 that victory comes not from our own strength but from standing firm in the Lord’s mighty power. God has provided everything we need: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, His Word, and prayer. To live victoriously is not simply to survive the attacks of the enemy but to stand strong, knowing that Jesus has already secured the victory.

3 Takeaways

Stand Firm in the Lord – Victory begins with strength that comes from God, not ourselves.
Put On the Full Armor – Each piece of the armor of God protects us and equips us for the battle we face daily.
Pray at All Times – Prayer is the power that activates and sustains the armor, keeping us alert and connected to God.

If You Only Have a Moment
Inhale: “Lord, clothe me in Your armor…”
Exhale: “…and help me stand firm in victory.”

Full manuscript estimated reading time ~13 minutes

The Call to Live Victoriously
Ephesians 6:10-18
Formation Pastor, Tony DeGruy

Good morning, family. If you cannot tell already, I am excited to be before you this morning. I am excited for a couple of reasons. First, it is Fellowship in the Park day, and we get to “dress down” and hang out with each other for a bit longer than the four minutes... Secondly, I am not sure if I am batting clean up or leading off. You see, this is the last sermon from our amazing Echoes from Ephesians series, in which case it is the former, but this could be the setup message for our upcoming series, “The Unseen Realm,” in which case it is for the latter.

I’ll let you decide.

As we have navigated this series, we have seen in Ephesians 1 that we are to praise God for the “spiritual blessings” we have in Christ, including being chosen, predestined, and adopted as God’s children through Jesus.

Ephesians 2 emphasizes that our salvation by grace through faith alone: and that redemption and forgiveness are gifts, not earned by works (Eph. 2:8-9), and we learned that we are made alive with Christ and seated with Him, moving from spiritual death to life.

Ephesians 3 calls out that Christ has unified Jews and Gentiles, breaking down barriers and creating one new humanity that brothers and sisters, we are part of. Paul called it the “mystery,” but it was always God’s plan to graft in Gentiles as co-heirs with Christ.

In Ephesians 4, we were called to walk worthy, and to take off our old selves and put on the new self, walking in love and holiness.

And in Ephesians 5, we were instructed to walk as children of light, exercising wisdom and righteousness, and to live Spirit-filled lives.

Which brings us to today, where we will look at Ephesians 6, and no, I am not going to exegete the whole chapter, but allow me to highlight the major themes:

Instructions for Families: Children and Parents (Verses 1–4),

Children are commanded to obey and honor their parents, echoing the fifth commandment, which carries a promise of well-being and longevity.
Parents, especially fathers, are cautioned not to provoke their children to anger, but to raise them “in the training and instruction of the Lord.” This stresses nurturing discipline and spiritual formation.

Instructions for Social Relationships: Slaves and Masters (Verses 5–9)

Servants (slaves or bondservants) are urged to obey their earthly masters sincerely, “as you would Christ.” The emphasis is on integrity, serving wholeheartedly, and viewing work as serving God rather than people. (Side road… It goes without saying but, slave here did not mean chattel slave, a subject for another sermon or ACF offering)
Masters are told to treat their slaves with the same respect, without threats, and to remember that both master and servant serve the same impartial Master in heaven. This passage recognizes mutual accountability under God.

And finally, verses 10-18, which is where we will camp out today.

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

The Call to Live Victoriously

Family, as believers, we face a daily battlefield. Not one marked by gunfire or physical armies, but a spiritual conflict no less real—and arguably, far more significant. Paul’s rousing cry in Ephesians 6:10–18 is a trumpet blast:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

This is not some weak, half-hearted challenge. To live victoriously means not just to survive the onslaught of evil, fear, and doubt, but to stand in victory and purpose, as we see this through Paul’s iconic imagery of the armor of God.

Stand Firm: The Nature of the Battle

Paul does not mince words—there is an enemy, and that enemy is Satan. His weapons are deception, accusation, doubt, and temptation. He doesn’t attack the body as often as he assaults the heart and mind.

This battle is not fought alone. God calls us to stand—not cower, not run, but stand in spiritual victory. To do this, Paul describes how we must put on the “whole armor of God.” Each piece is essential. Skipping one piece leaves us vulnerable. Wearing them all enables us to live, not as victims, but as victors.

The Belt of Truth: Overcoming Falsehood

Paul commands us to “gird your waist with truth” (Ephesians 6:14). The Roman soldier’s belt wasn’t just a strip of leather; it was the key that held everything together. Without it, the other pieces of armor would not be securely fastened.

Spiritually, truth is our foundation. Satan’s greatest weapon is the lie—about who God is, who you and I are, and what is true. But Jesus is the embodiment of truth. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

When we know Christ—the Truth—we are anchored. We are able to identify deception, stand up in a world that increasingly blurs the line between reality and opinion, and walk in the light of God’s Word. The world tells us to create our own truths; God invites us to trust in the Truth made flesh—Jesus.

How do you and I fasten the belt of truth?

By spending time in the Scriptures
By praying to understand God’s perspective
By living authentically, refusing to compromise
By allowing Jesus to define our reality

Let’s Ask Ourselves: What lies have we believed—about God, about our worth, about our future? Brothers and sisters, the Christian life is not passive; therefore, we must replace those lies with the vibrant, powerful truth of the Gospel.

The Breastplate of Righteousness: Guarding the Heart

The breastplate covers the heart, the core of who we are. The Roman soldier would not enter battle without this vital piece, as it protected him from mortal wounds. Spiritually, Paul says to “put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14).

Righteousness here is both positional and practical.

Positional righteousness is what Jesus gives each of us at salvation—He covers us with His righteousness, not our own flawed attempts.

Practical righteousness is living out that gift by pursuing holiness and godly character, refusing to allow sin, anger, or bitterness to rule our hearts.

Satan attacks with accusations, condemnation, and memories of our failures. But we must remember that Christ’s righteousness, not our track record, is our defense.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: Stability in Turmoil

I think Mars Blackmon was right, “It’s the shoes…”

The following piece is footwear: “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Roman soldiers needed sturdy shoes for mobility and stability; so do we as believers.

Peace with God comes the moment we trust Christ (Romans 5:1). Peace of God is what steadies us in daily life, even in chaos. In a world that breeds anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, those of us who carry the Gospel have the only peace that cannot be shaken.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

When anxiety mounts—whether about finances, illness, family, or uncertainty—the shoes of peace remind us that:

God is in control
We are never abandoned
Our hearts can be stable, even when everything around us shakes

How do we walk in peace?

Cultivate gratitude - this is key, studies have shown just how vital this is and I cannot stress enough
Pray in every situation - Family, please hear me when I say this, prayer must be our first option and not our last resort
Surround ourselves with God’s promises and people of faith - if you are not in a Small Group or cluster, I urge you to join one, especially for this upcoming series

Shield of Faith: Defense Against Doubt and Fear

Roman shields were large, door-like protections that could block arrows, darts, and fire. Paul writes, “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16).

The enemy’s arrows look like fear, doubt, discouragement, and temptation. Faith is not ignoring those things—it is choosing to trust God’s promises in spite of what we see, feel, or fear.

Faith says, “God is for us—even when we are afraid.”
Faith says, “His word is true—even when the world mocks it.”
Faith says, “This battle is not mine alone—God goes before me.”

Faith grows as we exercise it—by praying specific prayers, trusting God with our burdens, and stepping out in obedience even when we’re unsure of the outcome.

Helmet of Salvation: Renewing the Mind

Paul moves next to the head: “And take the helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17). The helmet protected the most vital part of the soldier in battle—the mind.

Satan knows that if he can control our thoughts, he can control our lives. Confusion, depression, and despair often begin with a single lie or doubt implanted in the mind.

The helmet of salvation reminds us that our minds are covered—protected by the certainty of God’s saving work. Salvation isn’t an occasional emotion; it is a settled reality. It gives us hope, identity, and a future.

Reject thoughts of condemnation—remember, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)
Cling to our identity as a child of God
Frame our daily thinking around God’s promises

“Put on the mind of Christ.” This is the application of the helmet. We are called to transform our thinking, allowing God’s truth to shape our perceptions, values, and decisions.

Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God

Every soldier needs an offensive weapon. Paul specifies, “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

God’s Word—the Bible—is our sword. It is sharp, active, and effective according to Hebrews 4:12. Jesus Himself modeled how to use Scripture to defeat Satan’s temptations in the wilderness: “It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

We are to:

Memorize Scripture for times of temptation
Pray the Scriptures, turning God’s promises into declarations
Allow the Word to shape our speech, prayers, and responses

If we treat the Bible as advice we can ignore, we will be defenseless. But if we treat it as the living truth, it becomes a mighty weapon, slicing through lies and strongholds.

Prayer: The Power Behind the Armor

Paul’s concluding words are vital: “Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Prayer is not just an accessory. It is the communication line to our Commander-in-Chief. It empowers every other piece of armor. Without prayer, the rest of the armor lies dormant. Prayer is how we receive strength, wisdom, and direction. For there are unseen powers behind the thrones of this world, darker and more malevolent than the darkest powers we know.

Therefore, we are to:

Pray at all times: Not only when we feel desperate, but continually
Pray with perseverance: Refusing to give up, even when the answer seems slow
Pray for others: This is a battle for the whole body of Christ

Jesus Christ continues to intercede for us at the right hand of the Father. If He sees prayer as vital, how much more should we?

Living in Victory: Everyday Application

Victorious living is not abstract—it is practical:

Daily put on each piece of armor: Speak it out loud in prayer each morning—“Today, I fasten the belt of truth; I put on the breastplate of righteousness…”
Stand in community: Just as Roman soldiers linked shields in battle, as believers, we need each other for encouragement and strength.
Expect victory, not defeat: God has designed us for victory. The circumstances may not always feel triumphant, but our final outcome is secure.
Engage: We don’t just avoid evil, but actively bring God’s goodness and truth into our world.

Consider and Remember This

Victorious living is not defined by immunity from hardship but by strength, courage, and victory in hardship. We are fully equipped, fully armed, and never alone. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave is at work in us.
Let us not forget, that there is a corollary to having Christ and His power, for those of us who have Him, also get his enemies as part of the bargain.

Therefore, let us:

Stand firm in truth.
Draw our identity from Christ’s righteousness.
Walk in peace that the world cannot give.
Raise the shield of faith against fear.
Protect our minds with the certainty of salvation.
Wield the Word of God with authority.
Bathe every day in prayer.

Without the armor, we don’t stand a chance against these RULERS and AUTHORITIES in the unseen world.

A Primer

In Ephesians 6:12, Paul states “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

Just who are these beings..

Rulers refer to the highest level of evil spiritual beings. These are high-ranking demonic authorities or principalities with significant influence.

Authorities represent a broader category of evil spirits that operate under the rulers. These are general spiritual forces that have delegated authority and actively oppose believers.

Powers (Cosmic Powers) are powerful forces or agencies exerting influence over the world’s darkness. These beings are described as controlling or governing the dark aspects of the world on a global scale. They work to deceive, oppose, and attack believers and the church’s mission.

Spiritual Forces of Evil represent all evil spirits active in the heavenly (spiritual) realms. This encompasses the collective demonic powers, often seen as the source of evil and temptation beyond the physical world.

The Apostle Paul uses these terms to stress that the challenges we face are, at their core, spiritual rather than physical. “Heavenly places” does not mean Heaven itself, but the broader unseen spiritual realm where these powers operate.

This spiritual battle echoes the cosmic warfare found in Scripture. In Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, the fall of the “morning star” or “anointed cherub” reflects the devil’s rebellion against God. In Daniel 10, we see angelic battles in the heavens influencing earthly affairs.

Paul’s instruction echoes this grand cosmic conflict. As believers, we are enlisted in a spiritual war that requires divine power, not human effort.

While they have ranks and authority, they are defeated and under Christ’s authority.

Pastor Tammy will pick this up next week as we begin our series, The Unseen Realm. You are not going to want to miss it.

Closing Illustration and Encouragement

Consider a young Roman soldier new to battle who lost his equipment. The seasoned commander took off his own armor and gave it to the young soldier, saying, "I stand in your place.”

That commander was willing to protect him personally.

Family, our Commander in Chief, Jesus Christ, has done just that. He removed His armor for us on the cross, cloaking us with His righteousness, truth, salvation, and faith.

This is why we stand strong—not in our own strength, but in His.

As you leave today, remember to put on the whole armor of God. Stand firm, knowing victory is certain because the battle has already been won in Jesus Christ.

May the Lord empower us to be strong in Him, clothed in His armor, standing firm until His glorious return. Amen.