(Ephesians 6:10) 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, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
In the Christian life there are things to run from ("flee youthful lusts") and there are things to stand up to, as the "wiles" of the devil. The word translated wiles is methodeia. In the New Testament methodeia is used in two places: Ephesians 4:14 and 6:11, both in an unfavorable sense. In Ephesians 4:14 methodeia is used in reference to those individuals who deliberately, skillfully, and maliciously plan and develop a “strategy” of error to circumvent, distort, confuse, and deceive the followers of Christ so they might be lured away from the true Faith. In Ephesians 6:11 methodeia refers to those “schemes,” “strategies,” “wiles,” or “tactics” that the devil himself uses to make war and destroy believers.Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary, The - The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Lambda-Omicron.
Obviously, the warning to flee indicates an inability in terms of spiritual maturity to face those lusts head on, as one might be able to do later. The truth is that if we do not learn to deal with them in our youth they will plague us for the rest of our lives. Hence, dirty old men and women. One would think those Christian leaders who have fallen in recent years might have been more spiritually mature, but if this whole thing of lust is not crucified - "they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts" - not merely positionally, but practically in our lives, we are never free from it. Sexual desire is one of the most basic of human desire, but if not controlled it can be the most deadly and damaging of all desires.
So Paul begins with the SOURCE of our STRENGTH and AUTHORITY! This is extremely critical for not only does God provide the power for us to stand against the devil's methods, but also He provides the authority. Think about it this way: Imagine a small framed policeman arresting a huge criminal. He calls for back up or reinforcement, but he also has the entire department and the authority of the government behind him.
We have angelic resources, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ to whom ALL authority has been given in heaven and in earth. So, we have His power and His authority, yet we say, "the temptation, the devil, the enemy, or whatever was just too strong for me." THAT IS A COP OUT and it won't wash with JESUS.
Here is where we must begin - by recognizing that the suit, the armor, the uniform in and of itself would be useless without the power and authority that stands behind it. The key phrase for the power and authority is IN THE LORD!
BLESSINGS!
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