The armour of God
THE ARMOUR OF GOD
BY EVANGELINE UNITY ESAABA FOLSON
Ephesians 6: 10-13
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The book of Ephesians is a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus. Chapter 6 is the conclusion of the letter, and it sums up the other chapters and gives directions on what the church has to do.
In verse 10-13, Paul encourages them to be “strong in the Lord” meaning to rely on the strength that comes from God or trust in the Lord.
How do we do this? By putting on the armour of God. This signifies that there is a war (battle) to be fought. What kind of war? A war against the evil one and his forces. He goes on to say that, this war is different because we cannot see the enemy with our eyes. They are principalities and powers. That is why we need to put on the armour of God to stand against the devil’s tricks. Ephesians 6:14-18 describes our spiritual weapons or the different parts of the armour of God. I will comment on them one by one.
Ephesians 6:14
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.
One of the major tricks the devil uses is deception. He knows the word or what the bible says but he will twist it to deceive you and make you disobey God. A perfect example is found in Genesis 3:2-6 when the serpent (devil) convinced Eve to eat the fruit that God asked them not to eat. If you can win the fight against the evil one, you must know the truth found in the word of God. Jesus used the word to resist the devil’s temptations in Matthew 4:1 – 11 (please read carefully)
Let it be your greatest desire to do the right thing at all times (be righteous).
Ephesians 4:15
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
The devil’s main aim is to snatch as many people as possible from the kingdom of God so they can burn and suffer with him in hell.
Therefore, he does all he can to frustrate Christians from spreading the gospel of peace or the message of salvation.
Ephesians 6: 16
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Our faith protects us from the devil’s fiery darts of the devil’s evil intentions for us. Once we believe that God can save us from anything the devil throws at us, we are safe. We need to keep trusting in God.
Ephesians 6: 17
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
According to this verse, salvation is our helmet, it protects our head and controls the whole body. Salvation like our head or brain controls or gives us the right to enjoy or benefit from all God’s blessings and provision for His children. Without your head there is no “you”, you cannot function. In the same way, without salvation, there is no life in Christ and you can not be a Christian. It is important to ensure that you are saved or have salvation as the word of God teaches.
Apart from the fact that the word of God presents the truth, we need to resist the devils’ temptation, it is the sword of the spirit.
The bible says in Hebrews 4: 12 that,
For the word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Ephesians 6: 18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching, thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Prayer activates all the parts of the armour of God:
- Truth
- Righteousness
- Faith
- Salvation
- The word of God.
Therefore, pray always. Never cease to pray, as you pray more, you get closer to God and He strengthens you through His spirit (the Holy Spirit) to do all you need to do to fulfil your destiny. Pray works miracles.
Conclusion
A soldier is useless on the battlefield if he does not put on his amour. He will be killed in no time.
Every Christian is a soldier constantly in battle with the evil one. To be victorious we have to be sure that all the parts of our spiritual armour are in place at all times. If we do this, then we can stand against the “wiles”, tricks of the devil and his forces.
It is a bit scary to think you are fighting an enemy you cannot see. There is no need to fear because God actually fights the battle, we only stand in place with our armour on.
2 Chronicles 20: 17
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.
Meditate on the words of this song:
Well you know I am not a fighter LORD
And the hosts of hell are strong
So fill me with your power Lord
Help me put my armour on
And when I face the enemy Lord help that I may see
That is you standing there in me
And me standing there in YOU.
References
Therefore, he does all he can to frustrate Christians from spreading the gospel of peace or the message of salvation.
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