The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Ephesian families and gave clear, practical advice that we need to read and heed today, especially chapters 5 and 6.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.”
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…”
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Just these four powerful instructions can make a major family makeover!

In these 2 chapters, Paul addresses the most important aspects of our life:

What we do: Paul tells us that we can and must know God’s will, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

About our conversation: “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

How we use our time: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Our jobs: “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men…”

Our desires: “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”

How to love: “…just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

There’s so much more. Read Ephesians chapters 4, 5, and 6 every day for a week and watch how the Holy Spirit will makeover your family through God’s Word. Read them out loud to your family. Find quiet places and meditate on specific verses throughout the day.

Here, Paul also alerts us about the reality of the spiritual battle that is going on. “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.” Paul reminds us that the enemy is Satan. And Paul prescribes the solution:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

The phrase “be strong” appears throughout the Bible. The Bible consistently contrasts between strength by “the arm of the flesh” and “the arm of Lord”.  (Jeremiah 17:5-8)

In Ephesians, Paul also tells us how to “be strong in the Lord:”

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Stand firm:

+ with the belt of truth
+ with the breastplate of righteousness
+ with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
+ take up the shield of faith
+ take the helmet of salvation
+ take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
+ pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
+ be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Men, our battle is not “against flesh and blood… but against the spiritual forces of evil.” We cannot win by our own human strength: the “arm of the flesh.” Instead, we must “be strong in the Lord!”

When I can’t, God can!

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul prayed and God answered. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul recognized that he could not endure by his own strength, but by yielding to God, he was able. Paul responds, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Men, don’t trust in your own strength or wisdom, instead, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power!