By Rev. Racquel Ray, Associate Minister of Congregational Life
You may have heard this truism before. The United Church of Christ sells shirts with this on it on their webpage here. In the letter to the ecclesia in Ephesus 6:10-20, we read that conflict within the church is nothing new:
Finally, be strengthened in the Redeemer and in the strength of God’s power. Put on the armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the overlords of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, take up the armor of God, so that you may be able to resist on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. Bind on your feet preparedness to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all this, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 
Remember, beloved, when we disagree with others, we can choose to remember this scripture. The reading says, ‘we do not struggle against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, authorities, and overlords of darkness – spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’ We are not fighting against people – against our neighbors – but against the powers behind their actions.
Now, this can be controversial depending on your own personal beliefs; perhaps your own historic denomination or upbringing. I have met people who believe that Satan is a real entity – the enemy who prowls in this world to steal, kill, and destroy the goodness of God’s creation. There are those on the opposite end of the spectrum that believe that ‘evil’ is simply the absence of Good – or the turning away from God and God’s goodness. There are those who believe that supernatural forces are not real and there are those who make a living out of investigating and documenting mysteries of the supernatural – perhaps making their investigations into television shows, spooky tours, or haunted houses.
So, we come to this scripture from different opinions. We can take those opinions into conflicts with our neighbors or we can hold them close and understand the world through ‘spiritual glasses’. That would include understanding that the person with whom you disagree is a child of God and has the God-given, God-gifted right to have a different opinion than you do.
We know that throughout history, Christians, have had their differences – the writer of the letter to the Ephesians knows that and this letter is the advice to that community. Rather than be upset with their neighbors, the letter advises that we should be upset with the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms – the struggle between good and evil. And, as Christians, we are to pray for the good.
The reading warns us that engaging in this prayer is like going to battle and requires a suit of armor. But, because this is not a physical battle, it is a spiritual battle, our armor is 1) To stand and face it. You can’t fight what you won’t acknowledge is there. 2) A belt of truth to know what you know that you know. 3) The breastplate of righteousness – to know that what you know is right in God’s eyes. 4) Shoes of preparedness, be ready to get going to proclaim peace. 5) Shield of faith, knowing that God will be with you in this endeavor and you – with God’s help – will be able to withstand the negative pushback that you may receive. 5) The helmet of salvation – knowing that Jesus has already won this battle once and for all and we are simply standing in Christ’s victory. 6) The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God – whether prophetically revealed to you by the spirit, the word of God revealed through the scripture, or the Word of God which is the Saviour Jesus Christ. 7) Prayer which fortifies you and calls in the ‘back up’ of all the power of God and the heavenly realms. 8) Alertness and Perseverance knowing that our work is never complete. 9) Prayer and intercession for others, especially those who are called, not simply to hold the line – but to advance the Gospel message – sometimes heading into unfriendly territory to do so. 10) And to speak boldly as we are called to do.
Now, this sounds like a battle cry – and the military language and equivalencies – are not lost on this veteran. But, the introduction tells us it’s a spiritual battle, not a physical one. We must continue to love our neighbors – as much as we should expect them to love us – and hopefully as much as we love ourselves – as much as God loves us. And, having done all that you can to persevere in peace, stand therefore, and continue the Gospel message of Peace, Love, and Faith.
Amen.