SCRIPTURE:
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
Ephesians 6:13
OBSERVATION:
Paul is giving the well known exhortation to put on “The Full Armor of God”, with components being the character of Christ.
Many who read often through this part of Ephesians know it; breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, belt of truth, feet prepared with the gospel of peace, shield of faith, and sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
Paul emphasizes the need for all the pieces, all the components, to be present, that we may be able to remain standing firm after the battle is done—correction, after each battle is done, for there will be many.
Anything missing will result in spiritual struggle at best, breakdown of character and even lost witness of Christ. Not a good place to be.
APPLICATION:
It’s great to know about the Armor of God as a believer. It is essential if we are to stand firm and resist, in the evil day.
I think many Christians have the armor of God on a hanger in their closets, bringing it out occasionally for all to see.
But unless it is PUT ON DAILY, we will find ourselves struggling to take a clear stand for what is and isn’t of Christ.
Armor is ineffective unless it is put on.
Putting God’s armor on daily takes time, intention, and the discipline to remove things that get in the way. It’s bothersome at best, a pain at worst.
One pastor I read often, articulates this well; “Everyone wants to be strong, but nobody wants to be sore.”
I cannot hope to walk in the full armor of God without taking time out of my “busy day” to take up the sword of the Spirit, take in God’s word.
Because once that happens, by default, the rest starts to be taken up; Christ’s righteousness and good news, knowledge of salvation, truth over emotions, and reinforcing my faith—the shield that will take every hit of the enemy.
If the armor we claim to have is only decorative, “for show”, we can only fake it for so long. God knows it, and worse, the enemy knows it and will pound on it until we fall.
To try to stand against the enemy insufficiently armored, makes us shaky at best, knocked down at worst.
But to take up the full armor of God will make us unstoppable.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, the battle belongs to You, but You call us to stand firm against the enemy in the spiritual realms of darkness in the heavenly places.
Help me not to leave my armor on a hanger in the closet, but to take time to armor up daily.
Thank You for reminding me through Paul to be armored up in every season. Amen!
