“Put on the whole armour of God”
Stand therefore. —Ephesians 6:14
Read Ephesians 6:13-15
We are called to put on the whole armour of God so that we may resist the enemy and withstand sin (v.13). Withstanding Satan means that we are to fight against sin. In this way alone can we stand firm in the evil day, in a time of temptation and affliction.
God’s Word says that if you resist the devil, he will flee from you (James 4:7). Only in this way will we become victors. We must be armed in order that we may attack the enemy as well as defend our-selves. Notice that Paul mentions no armour to protect one’s back, for if our back is turned to the enemy, we become vulnerable.
The Apostle tells us to have our “loins girt about with truth” (v.14). The soldier’s wide girdle kept a large portion of his armour together, as well as protecting the abdomen. This key aspect of the girdle is why this part of the armour is mentioned first. There is nothing as destructive as the lie; it hinders the strength and actual work of the believer as well as the Christian congregation.
Paul then goes on to speak of “having on the breastplate of righteousness” (v.14). The breastplate protects the vitals as well as the heart by absorbing what would otherwise be deadly strokes. The righteousness of Christ planted in our hearts is our breastplate, spiritually speaking. It strengthens one’s heart against the attacks of the devil.
Moving on to verse 15, we read that we must have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” The shoes of a soldier were made of brass plates to protect his feet from man-made traps laid by the enemy to impede a marching army. If we lack a thorough knowledge of God’s Word, we are vulnerable to many temptations and traps along our march through life.
Have you put on the Christian armour?