Do you feel strong? Do you feel weak? Are you relying on a power that is far greater than you? Or are you relying solely on your own strength? If you were given the opportunity to access a greater power any time you needed it, would you?
Our world is fraught with people who feel weak. They feel like everyone and everything is against them. They feel like there is no way for them to win. They are correct on two of those three assumptions. They are weak. The whole world is against them. Yet they can win.
How do we win against a world filled with evil? First, we have to stop fighting on our own. We must put on the full armor of God to win that battle. We need to be strong in Him and allow Him to win the battle on our behalf. Paul lays it out very clear in the middle section of Ephesians 6. Let’s take a look at what he says.
- Put the belt of truth around your waist (Ephesians 6:14a). The truth Paul is talking about is the truth of God’s Word. This is so we can discern between falseness, half-truths, and the truth. It will keep us from being deceived.
- Put the breastplate of righteous in place (Ephesians 6:14b). This breastplate is given by God, it is not earned. God equips His people with protection and the breastplate is to guard our hearts. It is to keep our hearts from being pierced.
- Put the boots of the peace of the gospel on your feet (Ephesians 6:15). I use the term boots to equate it to our soldiers today, who wear boots that can take the punishment of rugged terrain, provide them traction, and are light enough to allow full maneuverability. The gospel of peace performs the same functions for us in our spiritual fight.
- Take up the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16). This shield is not the small circle shield often shown in the movies. It is the full body length shield the Roman soldiers used to walk side-by-side, effectively creating a moving wall moving forward. Or, it created a wall when under attack that didn’t allow a single arrow to reach a soldier. Our faith is our own, yes, but we are to interlock our faith with our fellow Christians. When the faith of many are interlocked, we build a wall against Satan’s attacks.
- Put on the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17a). As we might expect, this protects our heads, which are the only portions of our body not behind the shields. Being confident in our salvation helps us defend against those doubts Satan sends our way.
- Take up the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b). This is the only offensive weapon. It is the Word of God. It is knowing our Bible and using it against Satan, to beat him back just as Jesus did. When we combine it with the truth, we can truly discern what is right.
Notice that Paul doesn’t just say to put on the full armor of God once, he says it twice (Ephesians 6:11, 13)! He knew it was doubly important to wear the full armor to fend off Satan’s attacks. He knew if we did not wear all of it, we would fail. Just like our current day soldiers, we can’t go into battle half dressed. We need it all.
I pray all of us will put on the full armor of God. I pray each of us will take time to fully dress ourselves in God’s protective provisions. I pray we study God’s Word more so we can take the offensive against Satan. Be fully dressed for battle. Protect yourself with God’s protective gear. Take up the fight against Satan. Trust that God will provide the win for you.
Ephesians 6:10-11 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.
Marty Pressey 