Note: much of the following post was first shared in 2015, and the armor of God is something we need to put on daily and to understand even more!
Ephesians 6:10-17 NLT
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
When we choose God, we choose to engage an enemy, and that enemy we know as Satan. By living with God’s truth we will know His grace and share His love with others. This enemy has a plan and is working His plan. God warns us that the enemy is not always the one we are looking for. It is obvious that we cannot always see him or feel him, but this same enemy has put a target on the people who have chosen to follow and obey God.
We must stand firm against the strategies of the devil. Like a great army leader he knows how and where to attack. He is be throwing his fiery arrows at us. These can be physical or emotional arrows, they can be real or imagined, they can be large or small, insignificant or a big deal. But the enemy is after us.
What must we do to ensure that we are ready for the enemy’s attack? These verses remind us of things to do in order to be ready for the spiritual battle taking place around us.
Be strong in the Lord. Too many times we choose our own strength rather than God’s strength.
Put on God’s armor. This command and offer is constructed in such a way for us to know that God owns the armor and provides His armor for us, but it also says that we have a choice. Going unprotected we have problems.
Put on the belt of truth. Truth is like a belt. It holds us together. Truth is a person, and His name is Jesus.
Put on the body armor of true righteousness. This one isn’t easy to understand. True righteousness is something we learn about the closer we get to God. He makes us righteous based on what God has done.
Put on the shoes of being ready to always share our hope and the peace of God. Just share your story. Tell people what God has done for you, not what you have done. God is still in the position of giving hope. Share His hope.
Hold up the shield of faith God has given us. Don’t go in to battle unprotected. Hold a shield based on these things God has given.
Put on the helmet of salvation. Our salvation is a gift from God based completely on His promise, His action, His love and the completed work of Christ.
Use the sword of the spirit God has given to us. Finally, use your sword. The Bible. God gives us His word to get in us, to hold us, to train us, to guide us, to inspire us, to encourage us, to give us what to say and so much more. This is our only weapon of offense.
The armor of God is a big deal. Remember we don’t have to preform to please God. He has always done all we need to get us to heaven and to seal us for abundant life before heaven. Understanding the battle and living by God’s truth prepares us daily for greater things.
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