We are beginning the charge this morning with a new series titled, Stand, as we explore what it means to live strong, steady, and spirit-filled in a world that is constantly shifting. If there has ever been a time when believers need to stand firm, it is now. Truth is being twisted, our culture is changing, and pressure is mounting from every side. But God hasn’t called His people to retreat; He has called us to stand.

When the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, he wasn’t addressing a group of weak or unprepared believers. These were the ones Paul described as being blessed…

“With every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

And so, these believers in Ephesus were faithful, redeemed, chosen, and empowered. They were Spirit-filled people of faith who lived in a tough culture but carried a heavenly identity. Paul states,

“Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13–14).

And so, these were Spirit-filled Christians who love Jesus, but they were under pressure, tempted, opposed, and surrounded by forces of evil that wanted to wear them down.

Paul’s message to them is the same one we need today: stand strong, not in your own willpower, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. He says,

“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).

That is where our victory begins and ends, not with our effort, but with his power working in us.

Paul doesn’t say to run from the fight, he says to stand firm and…

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).

Today, we will learn what it means to be dressed for battle, clothed in God's power, protection, and presence so that when the day of evil comes, we will not fall but stand.

As we begin with this foundational truth, Paul continues in verse twelve:

“For 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” (Ephesians 6:12).

“Therefore, put on the full armor 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” (Ephesians 6:13).

Turn to your neighbor and tell them to stand your ground.

Stand your ground. The language Paul uses here in Ephesians is a little unusual for the New Testament, because it is military language. He’s not describing a casual walk of faith, but a life of readiness. And that is important because we are called to be equipped and armored to stand firm against every scheme of the enemy.

Now, if this were the Old Testament, this kind of language wouldn’t sound strange at all because the Old Testament is a book filled with battles and bloodshed. We read about the Israelites fighting the Hittites, the Jebusites, the Philistines, the Amalekites, and many others. We see Gideon gathering troops, Joshua fighting in the Valley, and David standing against the Philistines. The Old Testament is full of wars and soldiers going out to fight.

But when we turn to the New Testament and the new covenant, we don’t see the same kind of physical battles. There are no giants to slay, no armies fighting, and no swords to raise. So, you might wonder if the enemy has disappeared, maybe the devil has gone to sleep? But that couldn’t be further from the truth, because he has simply changed his tactics.

Instead of fighting in the physical world, he now fights in the spiritual realm, and the battlefield has shifted into the unseen. Whether we realize it or not, his forces are advancing against our families, finances, health, friendships, faith, and even the promises God has spoken over our lives.

Satan and his demonic armies are still very much at war. Just because you don’t see soldiers in your yard or enemies breaking through your front door doesn’t mean you are not under attack. You and I are most certainly under attack. We all are. Faith itself is under attack, and everything we believe is being challenged.

You may have noticed, but there is a rising tide of witchcraft sweeping across our nation like never before. It is often subtle and quiet, yet it is spreading rapidly outside the church. Especially during this time of year, you see the glorification of death and evil. And so, while we are worshiping and…

“Giving thanks to the Father, who has…rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Colossians 1:12-13).

As we shout our praise, the enemy is deceiving a generation of young people, pulling them into sorcery, darkness, and confusion. We observe the evidence as suicide rates rise and mental health struggles grow, because the enemy is repeatedly attacking the minds of those who are not dressed for the battle.

Today we are in a war, a spiritual battle, but the question is, are we dressed for it? We know how to dress for a church or a special occasion, but are we dressed for the battle? Paul admonishes us to,

“Put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11).

Because he is preparing us for a spiritual fight. And even though he uses physical imagery, this battle isn’t fought in the natural; this is a spiritual war. The Bible says,

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

Paul uses the language of a soldier because he wants the church to understand that this is not a game, this is warfare, and the fight he describes isn’t fought with tanks, guns, or soldiers in formation; our weapons are not human tools like arguments, manipulation, or force, but they are spiritual weapons empowered by God’s Spirit. He says,

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).

The word “schemes” refers to the tactics and strategies of the enemy. In other words, he has a plan designed to work against you, an enemy assigned to you, with a strategy targeting your finances, health, emotions, and peace.

We need to understand that our spiritual enemy is strategic; he studies you, observes your habits, and knows when you are tired, frustrated, lonely, and vulnerable. When he attacks, he is not shooting randomly; he is aiming for your weak spots. That is why you must put on the full armor of God because the moment you let your guard down, the enemy moves in.

If we are going to withstand the enemy's attacks, the Holy Spirit teaches us to be dressed in the full armor of God, showing that we take this battle seriously. Because Paul continues,

“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” (Ephesians 6:12).

In other words, this battle isn’t fought with fists or force; no punches or karate moves; it is deceptive, invisible, and spiritual. In this verse, Paul describes an organized hierarchy of demonic power, rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, all working to attack, distract, and wear us down.

Now, if someone attacked us physically, we would know how to respond, but when the attack comes in the spirit, we often miss it because we can’t see it. It’s for that reason that the Holy Spirit is teaching us how to respond to spiritual warfare, because every one of us faces it. It has been said that you are either in a battle, coming out of one, or about to enter one. And when those attacks come, you are often blindsided; they often hit back-to-back and leave you feeling surrounded.

That’s why Paul says,

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).

In other words, not only can you stand, but you have to stand, rooted, ready, and unshakable when the pressure comes. And that’s why Jesus said to seek the promise of the Father:

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8).

And here the Holy Spirit tells us that you need power to stand, not to run, not to retreat, but to hold your ground, to be anchored, and prepared for the onslaught that comes from spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Paul encourages us to take our stand against the devil’s schemes. His tactics may change, but our answer must always be the same. We refuse to surrender our region, our family, our children, our home, or our business. God wants you standing firm and unshaken when others are being pushed back. He said, even though,

“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you” (Psalm 91:7).

God wants each one of you standing when others around you are falling, because once you have learned to stand, he wants you to intercede and fight for those who can’t. Paul says,

“With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

You see, I’m not standing here today on my prayers alone; it is the prayers of my family, church members, and ministry partners that have held me up. But I can’t live off someone else’s prayers, I have to fight for myself, I have to stand for myself. Paul says,

“After you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then” (Ephesians 6:13-14).

And so, when you have done all that you can and it feels like you can’t stand anymore, stand anyway.

That’s why we come to church, not just to attend, but to learn the word of God, to sharpen our sword, and be dressed for battle.

“For 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” (Ephesians 6:12).

And I know that’s a lot to stand against, because we are living in that evil day right now, and so we can’t waste our strength fighting people. Instead, we want to let the Holy Spirit intercede through us as Paul tells us:

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions” (Ephesians 6:18).

That’s important because you are not rebuking a person; we are in that evil day, and you are rebuking the spirit behind the situation.

And so, if there was ever a time for the church to be dressed for the battle, it is now, because it is going to take everything you’ve got to stand your ground. To stand over what God has given you, over who God has given you, over your children, your home, your promises, your mind, your health, and your peace. You will need all of it just to stand, and it’s not just you; I need it too.

Let’s be real, every one of us has moments when we feel like we're about to break under the pressure. We are attacked in ways others can’t see or understand. Sometimes we can’t even explain it, but we must stand our ground. And here is the good news: the Bible says,

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

And so, when the pressure rises, the winds are blowing, the arrows fly, and the enemy whispers in your ear, don’t panic, don’t run, but stand your ground.

Remember, God did not call you to fight for victory; he called you to fight from victory. The battle has already been won through the blood of Jesus Christ. All you need to do is show up dress for the battle.

You don’t have to do the fighting, just be dressed for it, because your protection is and how you are covered. It’s not in your strength or agility or the speed of your fists, it is in being close with truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the word of God. And so, when you start thinking right, walking right, with your heart steadfast, you stand your ground.

This is a timely word because we are living in that evil day right now, a spiritual battle unlike anything we’ve seen before is going on around us. There is confusion, corruption, and darkness sweeping across this nation, but in the middle of it all, God is still calling his people to stand. We can’t stand in our own strength; you can’t stand on feelings or opinions; you can only stand on the word of God.

And so, today, put on the full armor of God, because it is time to grow up in your faith. You can’t fight this battle in your Sunday best; you need the full armor of God. And you can’t buy it or borrow it, but you get it on your knees, and you put it on through worship, obedience, and resisting the enemy.

When you put on the full armor of God, clothing yourself in truth, the Holy Spirit reminds you of what the enemy cannot take. He can’t take your salvation, the blood that covers you, or the Spirit that fills you. And so,

“Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28).

That kind of gratitude strengthens your mind and anchors your spirit in the Lord. That is the kind of truth that keeps you standing when everything else fails.

And that’s why we must be covered, we must put on the full armor of God. In fact, there is someone listening who has grown weary, broken, and discouraged, but you’re about to be renewed. there is someone who truly wants to walk with God, you want to stand your ground, but you haven’t been getting the kind of teaching that strengthens your walk. You’ve been getting milk, elementary truths of God’s word, but you need some solid food.

In other words, I’m trying to give you what you need right now, not just to have knowledge, but to have genuine saving faith. Not just to look like you have peace, but to live in real peace. Not just to appear joyful, but to have joy that overflows.

All you have to do is be dressed for the battle, the Bible says,

“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14).

That’s important because when you are properly dressed, the battle won’t feel as heavy, and the storm won’t shake your spirit. You will be able to walk through what others can’t handle and still stand strong because you are dressed for the battle.

Somebody right now is living a life they are not dressed for, and God wants to clothe you completely with his armor. The powers of darkness have been pressing you down day after day, you’ve been struggling under the weight, and God is saying Put on the full armor of God, because no one else can do this for you.

Your mother or grandmother’s faith can’t get you into heaven; some things only you can do. No one can put on your armor for you; you have to do it yourself, you have to choose it, and you have to put it on. But the invitation of God remains, he said,

“I will give you the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3).

But you have to receive it, you have to put it on, and only your faith can activate it.

You see, I can worship beside you, but I can’t worship for you. Worship has to come from your heart. And in the same way, the armor has to come from your decision to put it on. You can watch me do it all day long, but nothing will change until faith rises up out of you.

It’s not enough for my faith to be activated if yours isn’t. I can’t force the armor on you; that is something only you can do. And if you don’t do it, if you don’t seize this moment, you will not be dressed for the battle. And so right now, you are exposed, and it is time to get dressed. It’s time to put on the full armor of God.

Graphics, notes, and commentary from LifeChurch, Ministry Pass, PC Study Bible, Preaching Library, and Sermon Central. Scripture from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.