The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

One of my favorite quotes is attributed to John Wayne. “You got to be tough if you’re going to be stupid.” It implies that if you are going about your life without thinking, you are going to suffer the slings and arrows of ridicule from those who live thoughtful lives. I can honestly say that I have not always lived a thoughtful life. But I have learned, sometimes painfully to think before acting. How about you?

The Ephesians 6 verses above carry a strong reminder that we must be cautious at all times. We tend to think of our adversary in this world as mere flesh and blood. Sometimes we try to put a face to evil. We might go so far as to say “So and So is the personification of evil.” The reality of the situation is we are standing against the powers of the dark world. We are reminded in verse 12 that we are up against “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” How many times have you seen someone who is struggling mightily against an addiction, or sin issue? They are worn down, exhausted from their struggle. And in all likelihood they are casualties on the field of battle. They may have tried, with all the essence of their being, to defeat that which they struggled to defeat and ultimately lost. It is not a mortal being, they are spiritual forces. Alone we stand as much of a chance as an ant does when stepped on.

So, what are we to do? Obviously we cannot stand alone. The answer is found in verse 13. We must "put on the full armor of God." The reference the Apostle Paul uses is drawn along the lines of a soldier in the Roman Army. The component parts are a belt, breast plate, boots or heavy shoes, shield, helmet, and a sword. We will explore in greater detail how each of these parts is used in the battle with evil. The key to victory is we must not try to defeat evil by ourselves. Having God on our side is imperative. For if God is with us, who can stand against us?

PRAYER: Almighty and Everlasting God, You stand alone as our source of strength. Our mortal efforts are feeble in the face of the evil one and his minions. Help us to remember to stay close to you, as a child stays near a parent. Keep us safe from harm. Guide us on the field of battle we call our daily lives. Let Your Spirit fill us to overflowing and let that love flow out to those who struggle on their own. Direct us to reach out to those who are in need of Your help. This we ask in the name of Your Son, who reached out from the cross to us. Amen