The Armor of God

Dear Weekly Reader! 

God’s Peace!

I pray that you have had a Blessed Holiday Season, and I pray that you would have the most wonderful New Year in the Lord!
 
For this week, as we look forward toward this brand new year before us, let us consider God’s Word as to how we are going to face whatever comes our way!

My thoughts today are led to Ephesians Chapter 6:10-18.

 
The Armor of God! 

It may seem out of place that we would start the year meditating on a portion of scripture that says Finally, my brethren.  Well, I think it is not strange at all when we look at what we are told.  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might (V10).   That should always be our starting point!  Be strong in the Lord.  Be in His mighty power!   Be kept by His power!   1 Peter 1:5: Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

It is by His mighty power we are kept!   He has endless, limitless power!  He promises to NEVER leave us, nor forsake us!  Do you believe He has strength and power? Can we see now how we can be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might?  Be meek and be ruled and led by Him.  Allow God to fight our battles for us!  Allow God to watch and keep us each day!

Now, in practical terms that we can all understand, what does this mean for our everyday life?  Well, Verse 11 instructs us to Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.   Here we see that our armor is of God and not ourselves!  What a good and wondrous God we have.  He provides all that we need to go through this life!   Jesus knows what we face: principalities and powers,  spiritual wickedness in high places (V12) and so forth.   So He provides us the armor so that we may be able to withstand in the evil day (V13).

Loins girt about with truth (V14).  This indicates to us, that as in putting on armor, it must be first things first. The very first layer of protection, the very first thing we must have is the Word of God!  That is the Truth.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!  Jesus is the Word that dwelt among us!  First we must read, study, and know God’s Word.  We must hear it spoken, and believe it to the saving of our souls!

Breastplate of righteousness (V14).  When we have been given the robe of righteousness by what Jesus has done for us, then we have a strong armor to protect our heart!  Our heart is our breast, and that is where we need to be filled and protected by the Holy Spirit!

Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel (V15).  Have you been prepared to share God’s Word?  How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15.  Have you had your feet washed?  Are you ready to face the new day and year?  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. John 13:14.  Oh, that we would be clean through the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Clean because of what Jesus has done in forgiving us our sins through His death on the cross.

Shield of faith (V16).  This allows us to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (V16).   A shield is to stop the attacks from winning over us.  A shield does NOT mean attacks will not come.  It is meant to stop them when they do come!  We will be tempted, tried; we will have our troubles.    Remember, Ephesians 2:2: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.  The devil rules the air, God rules the heart and gives us the armor to fight off the poison and fiery darts of the devil.  What wonderful promises we have been given!

Helmet of salvation (V17).  We know the devil works on our minds.  Scripture says in Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God.   Our good God gives us a helmet of protection even for our minds.  In Philippians 4:7, the word of God tells us of a different kind of mind also.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   These  texts assure us of the protection of our mind!   Christ Jesus is our Salvation!   He is our Helmet of Salvation!   We need no other!   Rest in Jesus Christ. 
 
Sword of the Spirit (V17).  This is the only offensive weapon we have.   However, it is such a mighty weapon.  The Holy Spirit of God is God!  God in us!  Wow, just think of that!  God in us!   1 John 4:2: Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:  Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.  It is so important to remember that the Spirit of God dwells in our flesh here on earth!  Do you believe that Jesus Christ lives in you?   We know and believe that He came to this world in the flesh, but do we believe and know that He is our Saviour living in us?  The Spirit of God living in us is the Sword of the Spirit!  It will guide us, keep us, warn us, convict us, ensure us, and encourage us!  In other words, fight off the devil!  We have such a mighty offensive tool, this sword of the spirit!
 
Our text ends with exhortation to pray.  V18:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints!   Let us face each new day by putting on the whole armor of God, and by praying.   AMEN!
 
May God Bless your day, week, and year!   John R.