Put on the whole Armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil-Ephesians 6:11
When we once received our salvation, we ultimately thought that we were free from the tribulations and challenges of life. We assumed that we no longer had to encounter battles in our lives. Even though being a believer means being one with Christ, it does not necessarily mean that we are exempted from battles or challenges. Actually, we tend to encounter more intense battles which God knows we can handle. This is why we are asked to put on the Full Armor of God; not some but all parts.
Ephesians 6:12 clearly depicts the kind of battles that we are going to encounter in the battlefield; not against flesh, but against principalities, against the powers, against the rulers of this present darkness, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. We are not fighting against the seen, but we are up against the unseen. Nothing is as scary as that, right? Fighting what you cannot physically touch; we are in a battlefield within the spiritual realm. But we should not be afraid, for God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love and self-discipline- 2 Timothy 1:7. That’s why we are called to put on the Armor of God because through Jesus Christ, we have the power to defeat the enemy of the darkness.
Therefore, what exactly should we have on us as a sign of preparedness for the battle ahead of us? What does the ideal meaning of each garment of the Armor of God? Ephesians 6:14-17
1. Loins Gird about with Truth - verse 14
The belt of a Roman soldier was firm enough to hold his sword while in the battlefield; to prevent losing his tool of war because without it the enemy would strike easily. Just like the Roman solder, we Christians are required to buckle ourselves with the belt of truth. Have it firmly around our waist that we may defeat the enemy.
Our belt is our integrity that comes from the word of God. We are one with Christ, and that means that we should always uphold the truth at all times; by word and by action.
However, there are times when we have failed to uphold integrity. We have become a walking contradiction. We speak water and drink wine. When we despise those in need, are we upholding integrity? When we speak ill against our neighbor or even our even our enemies, is the truth of God’s word with us? When we choose to help those who will do the same for us, are we really putting our faith in action? Absolutely not! Girding our loins with truth means walking and working our faith. The devil is always at work to see as fall short of God’s glory; tempting to do what is not right. But when we uphold the truth, we do what is right. Our actions are influenced by God’s Holy Word. We should not just love in word or speech but indeed and in truth- 1 John 3:18.
2. Breastplate of Righteousness – verse 14
The breastplate of the Roman soldier was to protect the most vital organ in his body; the heart. The breastplate was made of steel that even when the enemy stroke, his heart was guarded and protected. In this contemporary world, soldiers wear bullet-proof vests on their chests. We are living in a world where sin has been normalized, evil is the way of life and doing what is right is a crime.
During such times, we believers ought to protect what is precious to us; our righteousness and our purity. It is easy to fall into the norms of this world; giving the devil the chance to devour our righteousness and our purity. However, when we wear the breastplate of righteousness; we shield our purity from the devourer. We are always reminded that the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you. It doesn’t matter how glamorous the deeds of these world look. How enticing and tempting they can be. The truth of the matter is that once you fall into the devil’s temptation; he will destroy what you have. Our breastplate of righteousness comes by abiding in God and Him in us; because God is a strong tower and the righteous run to it to be safe. Run to God’s tower, hide under His mighty wings. Seek Him at all times and your righteousness shall not be destroyed by the devil. Let us keep our hearts with all vigilance; for from it flow the springs of life-Proverbs4:23.
3. Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace – verse 15
I believe that we have all met soldiers once in our lives or maybe seen them on various media channels. Their boots have a good grip; it not is for them to stumble or slide. The boots of the Roman soldier were made of thorns; that he may stand firmly in the battlefield for him to be able to fight the enemy. But if his shoes or boots lacked the thorns, he would easily stumble and fall and that would create an opportunity for the enemy to rise.
What boots are we supposed to wear as Christians? Boots of peace. In John 16:33, Jesus has told us to have peace in Him. That though the world is full of tribulations, we should be of good cheer for He has overcome the world. We have gone through the ups and downs this world has given to us. And during our lowest moments, we have been overwhelmed with thoughts; wondering why we should go through such storms. But even in such devastating moments, we should never doubt god. We should never lack peace. When we lack peace, we give the devil a chance in our hearts; to fill us with doubts about God’s presence in our lives, to fill us with low self-esteem because we have not attained success yet, to fill us with self-hate. But we should shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. When Jesus ascended into the Heavens, he gave us peace. That no matter what we encounter in this life; our hearts should be filled with peace because He has overcome the world and He will come the storm for us. Don not stumble in your walk of faith. Do not fall. Be filed with peace.
4. Shield of Faith – verse 16
During protests, soldiers are usually deployed in the streets to deal with the protesters. Other than the teargas which they through to these individuals, they usually have shield made of hard glass; cannot be easily broken that no matter what is thrown at them they are protected.
I believe we have all watched old time movies which involve soldiers preparing their tools of war such as sharpening their swords, preparing arrows which will be used to throw fires of flame to the enemy and also having large shields made of wood and covered with leather to shield to protect themselves from the arrows of flame from the enemies side.
Satan is always throwing fires of flame to us believers; temptations, hurdles, betrayal, pain, discouragement, disappointment and so on. But when we have an unwavering Faith in Christ, we shield ourselves from these arrows of fire and we stand rooted in God’s Word. We will always be put to test. But at all times, we should uphold our Faith in God. Not being shaken. Not being moved. Because those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, they shall not be shaken, they shall not be moved.
5. Helmet of Salvation – verse 17
Every soldier goes to war with a helmet on his head. The mind controls the functions of the body and when its hurt, it is hard for the body to coordinate appropriately. A soldier always has a helmet to protect his head because if his head is hurt, he will not be able to continue with the battle at stake.
As believers, we should at all times wear the helmet of salvation; guarding our mind at all times. What we think we do. Our thoughts influence our actions. If we are not keen enough and let the devil control our minds, then our salvation is at stake. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may prove what us the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect-Romans 12:2. Guarding our minds will enable us to do what is right before the eyes of the Lord at all times.
6. Sword of the Spirit – verse 17
Last but not least is the ultimate weapon used at war; the sword. The sword should be well-sharpened and in our case our sword is the Word of God. We cannot be true believers if we do not read the Word. The same way you take short courses to sharpen certain skills for your industry, it is the same way you need to read The Bible at all times in order to have a better understanding of God’s will and to hear God’s voice in our daily lives. You cannot go to the battlefield if you do not have a better understanding of God’s word. It is a vital aspect in our Christian life. Knowing what God wants from us and knowing how He wants us to do it give us the ability to withstand and resist the temptations and tribulations of this world. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart-Hebrews 4:12.
It is my prayer that this article has inspired you and it will guide you to always wear the full armor of God at all times. Be Blessed! Be Inspired! Be Uplifted?
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