If you have ever had anyone in the military, you know there are certain gear and weapons that are needed to be a soldier ready for battle. When someone joins the military, they spend a lot of very concentrated time getting ready to fight. They are not only conditioned physically but also mentally. As Christians, we are also in a battle that has eternal consequences. If we fail to put on the armor of God, there can be things that will have physical, mental, and, most of all, spiritual consequences.
Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
We are told first that this armor is to be put on. Not part of it, but all of it. Every piece must be worn for complete protection. If you leave off a piece, that area of the body is vulnerable to an attack. It will do no good to protect the body and leave the head exposed or protect the head but leave the heart exposed. Armor is protection, and protection is useless if you don’t use it. Note, this is not armor we created but armor from God. He designed it and made it. It is also noteworthy that we must put it on! There must be a choice and effort on our part. God does not clothe us if we aren’t willing to do our part. Manmade weapons fail occasionally, and lives are lost as a result, but God’s armor is perfect! This armor is built to stand against the challenges and schemes of the devil. Our weapons are not effective in a battle with him.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
We should never underestimate his power and ability to deceive us. That is why we need weapons designed by God to win against the devil. We might stand a fighting chance if we were battling against flesh and blood. However, that is not the case against powers and rulers of darkness. In scripture, darkness is an emblem of ignorance, misery, and sin. This is where Satan and his demons reign. They will be in power until the last days, when they will be cast into Hell. In Ephesians 2:2, he is called the prince of the power of the air. In John 12:31 and II Corinthians 4:4, scripture teaches us he is the ruler of this world.
John 12:31 “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
II Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
We are to take on every piece that God has for us. Then, during the evil days, we will be able to stand. God has been equipping Christians for thousands of years and those who are fully armed do not fail! We can stand when we put on the full armor, and the victory is the Lord’s.
