“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked on. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end, with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18, NKJV) [Read Eph. 6:10-20.]Paul was well aware of the warfare a Christian must constantly wage against the powers of evil. Satan is alive and well and ever on the prowl to tempt and bring down a Christian, to make the believer’s work and witness of no effect in a sinful and resistant world. I quoted the whole passage on the “Armor of the Christian” from Ephesians. It is rich in concept, apt in application. I urge you to read it from several translations, and, if available to you, from the Amplified Bible which gives a clear picture, indeed, of both the armor and how it protects the Christian in the spiritual warfare we wage.
When I teach this passage in Sunday School or give it as a devotional, I have a wonderful visual to show, one that I found in a study of Ephesians from a LifeWay publication years ago. It shows a stalwart soldier dressed for battle with the belt of truth about his waist; the breastplate of righteousness protecting his heart and vital organs; the shoes equipped with the gospel of peace so that wherever he walks he can spread the good Word of God. Then he takes up the shield of faith which is his protection from darts of the enemy; and the offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Over all this armor is prayer, which keeps the armor-bearer alert, covered and safe. The lesson on the armor of the Christian urges that we should deliberately, piece-by-piece, don it daily, thoughtfully and prayerfully. Then we will be able to stand firmly amidst all the temptations, distractions, and warfare we face in living the Christian life. Donning this spiritual armor identifies us as God’s soldier, ready to do battle, and furthermore, winning the battles necessary to spiritual victory.
Righteousness—and the well-dressed, armored Christian—is also a visible witness to those around us that life in Christ does not avoid spiritual battles but engages in them and defeats the enemy, Satan. The Word of God is our one offensive weapon—the sword—which we should be able to wield effectively and well, “rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” We should know the Word and how to apply it, how to share it with others. His Word is “sharper than any two-edged sword.”
How are you dressed as a Christian today? Remember to don the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Cover all with prayer and you will be ready for a victorious day in the Lord.
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Saturday, June 26, 2010
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