Ephesians 6:13-15 - "The Whole Armor of God"

Overthe past few days, we have been learning about our enemy, the devil. Today, weturn our attention to the equipment God has provided for us, and we begin tolearn how to stand against him by putting on the whole armor of God that hasbeen made available to every believer. The fact that the Apostle Paul uses theword “wrestle” reminds us that this is a hand-to-hand battle. We are notmere spectators watching a game from the sidelines. We are engaged in realspiritual conflict. Satan seeks to use our external enemy—the world—and ourinternal enemy—the flesh—to defeat us.  Ephesians6:13-17 describes the equipment that God has made available to us. Because ourenemies operate in the spiritual realm, we need spiritual equipment, both fordefense and for offense. God has provided the whole armor, and we dare not omitany part of it. Satan is always looking for an unguarded area in our liveswhere he can gain a foothold, or as Paul warns, “giving place to the devil”(Ephesians 4:27). This gives Satan a “beachhead” or a “stronghold” (2Corinthians 10:4), for him to operate from in our lives. Paulcommands believers to put on the armor, take up the weapons, and stand firmagainst Satan. All of this is done by faith. Knowing that Christ has alreadyconquered Satan, and knowing that the armor and weapons are available to us, weaccept by faith what God has given and then go out to meet the enemy. The dayis evil, and the enemy is evil, but we take comfort in the truth of Romans 8:31:“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Thefirst piece of armor that Paul mentions is the “Girdle of Truth” (Ephesians6:14a). Satan is a liar (John 8:44), but the believer whose life is controlledby truth can defeat him. The girdle, or belt, held the other pieces of armortogether, and in the same way, truth is the integrating force in the life of avictorious Christian. A person of integrity, with a clear conscience, can facethe enemy without fear. The girdle also held the sword. If we do not practicethe truth, we cannot properly use the Word of truth. Once a lie enters the lifeof a believer, everything begins to fall apart. Wesee a sobering example of this in the life of King David. For over a year,David concealed his sin with Bathsheba, and nothing in his life went right. Psalm32 and Psalm 51 describe the heavy price he paid until he returned to truth andconfession. Nextis the “Breastplate of Righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14b). Thebreastplate, made of metal plates or chains, covered the body from the neck tothe waist, both front and back. It symbolizes the believer’s righteousness inChrist. Remember in 2 Corinthians 5:21 we are told that “we are made therighteousness of God in Christ”. It also symbolizes the believer’s righteouslife we are to live in Christ. This happens when we “Put on the new manwhich was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness”.  (Ephesians 4:24). Satanis the accuser, but he cannot successfully accuse a believer who is living agodly life in the power of the Holy Spirit. The life we live either strengthensus against Satan’s attacks or makes it easier for him to defeat us Read Paul’stestimony as a minister of the Gospel in 2 Corinthians 6:1–10, and especialverse 7: “By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor ofrighteousness on the right hand and on the left.” Notice all thetribulations and trials that Paul faced were overcome in with armor of truthand righteousness! WhenSatan accuses the Christian, it is the righteousness of Christ that assures usof our salvation. However, positional righteousness in Christ without practicalrighteousness in daily living gives Satan an opportunity to attack.  Maythe Lord help us today to make sure each day we are putting on the “whole armorof God”. Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.