Blueprints for Building the Home
Outside Threats Against the Home
Ephesians 6:10-18
Rev. Benny Phelps

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As we continue in our "Blueprints for Building the Home" series I invite you to turn to Ephesians 6. Last week we talked about our need to look to God—the original architect of the family for the right plan and why it’s necessary to follow His plan. Today we want to look at outside threats against the home.

I don’t think anyone here needs reminding the family is under attack in America today. As a matter of fact—last week I think we mentioned that there is a group of University professors and others who want to even do away with the term traditional family. They would prefer the term "kinship preferences" instead.

If you have located Ephesians 6—from this passage I believe we will be able to determine the source of the threats on the family and learn about the strategies being used. And we also will learn about our solution to the family situation. We need to realize whether we accept it or not—we’re in a battle. A battle that’s threatening our families and our homes. To help us avoid getting beat up—Paul instructs us to put on armor.

What I believe that Paul is telling us here in this passage is this—our greatest threat against the home will come from the spiritual realm. Verse 12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world.”

I imagine the headline in most major newspapers on Dec, 8, 1941 simply said ‘We Are at War’. That’s a battle against flesh and blood…but, what Paul’s saying is, as Christians you’re also in a spiritual battle. A battle that’s a threat to your family and home. The apostle Peter tells us that the source of our threat is Satan. In 1 Peter 5:8 he says, “Be alert…your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Picture in your mind if you will…an intruder.

I’m reminded of wildlife shows from Africa where flocks of animals are grazing on the Serengeti Plains going about daily life and then you see the intruders—stalking their pray…lions. They’re a threat—seeking to inflict pain, seeking to destroy, seeking to kill. Notice that the intruder comes in from outside the flock because he’s not welcome. The reason he’s not welcome is because of the threat he imposes on the flock.

Church—Peter and Paul alike are both telling us there is a threat to our homes. An intruder who seeks to inflict pain, seeks to destroy, and seeks to kill if possible. The primary source of our threat is Satan and don’t be deceived for a moment and begin to think he’s not real. The Holy Word of God has pointed him out—he’s looking to intrude into your life… and we need to be alert.

2. The strategy of the threat to our home.

If you’ll think for just a moment—there are basically only 2 ways the intruder can gain entry into our homes.

A. Invasion. Invasion is when someone forces their way in for the purpose of conquest and plunder. They are seeking to gain control and determine what happens in your life. This is what we see on the Serengeti with lions.

B. Invitation. This is when we allow or request someone or something to participate in our life. When we invite things like people, books, movies, games, etc. into our homes…they participate in our lives. We open the door to our homes and then allow them the opportunity to influence the way we live…by our own invitation.

I submit to you this morning that more times than not—the intruder that’s a threat to our homes is there by invitation rather than by invasion. (We allow them in.) The apostle Paul tells us here in verse 18 that we need to always be praying and always be alert concerning the outside threat against our homes. Part of our praying and part of our being alert is asking God to clearly reveal the schemes of the intruder (v11) and also how to recognize them when they come.

The source of our threat is Satan and his strategy often times is to appear as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14)—and then subtly work his way into our lives as a friend…not a foe. He’ll use relationships, entertainment, education whatever he can to be invited into our homes. Once inside, he will strike with confusion, compromise, contempt, conflict…whatever it takes to destroy. Did you notice that his strategy really hasn’t changed since the Garden of Eden?

3. The solution to the threat to our home.

When you read verses 13-17 of our text—I believe we can see two things come into view. One is instruction and the other is implementation. This is right in step with the outline and overall teaching of the letter to the church at Ephesus. 1) Paul provides clear instruction in the first 3 chapters about the grace extended to us through Jesus Christ. 2) In the last 3 chapters, Paul talks about how His grace is implemented in our daily lives.

Notice what Paul tells us in verse 10, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” He’s saying we’ve already been told ‘what too and how too.’ In other words—Paul is saying I’ve given you the blueprints…it’s time to start working them out in your life.

As you read through Ephesians—Paul gives plenty of instruction on how to put off the old self and put on the new.  And here—at the end of chapter 6 he summarizes it like this…put on truth, righteousness, and peace. Then—take-up faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Implement the instructions into your daily life.

Paul is simply saying to us—since we’ve come to faith in Christ—live as one in Christ. For the Christian—ignorance or insurrection is not acceptable. Pastor, what do you mean? Not long ago—researchers at Lifeway took a survey seeking to determine the “Top 10 issues facing the family.” Here’s the ‘Top 10 List’; anti-Christian culture, divorce, busyness, absent father figure, lack of discipline, finances, lack of communication, media, balance of work and family, and materialism. No real surprises here. 

Now that we have the list what are we to do with it? According to Dr. Andreas Kostenberger, first of all, notice the superficiality of the responses. He states, “These are only symptoms of a greater problem…the problem is a lack of grounding in biblical teaching on marriage and family.” In other words—our problem is either biblical ignorance or willful insurrection…defiance. 

If I understand what Dr. Kostenberger is saying about this list—it means that the top 10 issues are the evidence of where the intruder is at work in our lives. And the sad thing is that most likely we invited him into our family through someone or something we thought was harmless or…we thought we could handle.

But praise God this morning—if this is where you are…there’s hope. The Bible says take a stand and be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power…Why? Because, He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).

The source of the threat to our family is real. He’ll continue to come against us every chance he gets with whatever strategy he thinks will work. But—those of us who know Jesus as Savior and Lord have the solution. Church—there’s no need for us to get beat up in the daily battle when the answer is putting on the armor He has already given us. Fully dressed for battle in the armor of God is the solution to the source and all of his strategies that threaten our families and homes.