Armor of God #1 / Jennifer Peckmore
Are you still struggling with an issue you tried to give to God? I think many of us know this feeling. I was struggling with this for some time. I wanted to understand what I was doing wrong not only for myself, but for others who were experiencing the same thought. I prayed fervently for the Lord to give me the answer. It was very simple: I had never combatted my issues with the full armor of God.
As Christians, we think putting on the full armor of God is just a fun Sunday school lesson; however, we need to take this command seriously. It’s vital for us to walk victoriously against evil. I think there are three points from Ephesians 6: 10- 13 we can take away before examining the armor one by one.
1. The enemy is real.
Ephesians 6:12 reads, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (NASB) We are in the midst of spiritual battles daily. If we do not acknowledge the fight we are in, then why would we ever feel the need to put on the armor of God? I urge you to realize the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) We must be ready. Acknowledge evil is present, but also realize we have an armor to combat his schemes.
2. We cannot look to ourselves or worldly influences in times of spiritual warfare.
The activation of our strength comes from God alone. We need the empowerment of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:10 reads, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” (NASB) It’s very foolish for us to think we can fight the devil on our own or by listening to mere advice in this world. No matter how many friends you have supporting you, if you do not have the full armor of God then you cannot combat the schemes of the devil. No matter how many sermons you listen to, if you do not put on the full armor of God you cannot combat the schemes of the devil. Only by trusting in God and letting him strengthen us will we be victorious over the devil’s schemes.
3. It takes action from us.
Ephesians 6:13 reads, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (NASB) We can’t read these words and that be it. To stand firm is an action, and we cannot do that without putting on the armor. Scripture says, “the full armor of God.” We cannot pick and choose our pieces. All pieces are vital to us, whether we realize it yet or not. Imagine you are a soldier and you are being sent into battle; however, your king does not provide you with a shield or helmet. That would not make much sense, nor would you last very long in battle. We can look at Ephesians 6 and see our God provides us with everything we need for spiritual battle. He is a loving God and he wants us to be prepared.
Jesus bought this armor for us on the cross. We would be on the other army’s side without His death on the cross. By trusting in Jesus, we become apart of his army and he graciously gives us what we need to fight against the devil. He gives us this armor to fight sin, work on behalf of His Kingdom, and to persevere to the end. God sends us to battle with everything we need at our disposal. Let us be wise enough to equip ourselves so we can stand firm.