I’ve never given much thought to putting on the whole armor of God. It was just a random verse in the Bible.
But lately, I’ve seen the wisdom to apply this verse tangibly and comprehensively.
My lack of putting on the whole armor of God has resulted in me being weak, indecisive, passive, and helpless.
I sit around, waiting for the subsequent defeat. The next thing to go wrong. And the other shoe to drop.
Whining. Moping.
I’m sitting here on a battlefield without armor or weapons. No wonder I feel I feel helpless and knocked about.
The truth is life is a battle. And an enemy seeks to kill, steal, and destroy.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 KJV
We have an adversary who walks about as a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour.
Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8 KJV
That’s exactly how I feel: devoured.
And it’s time to put on the whole armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV – The Armor of God – Finally, be strong – Bible Gateway
Put on the whole armor of God.
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.
Epshesians 6:10-11 NIV
A special note to point out the part about “your stand.” We all have one. One section of the battlefield is ours.
Another point on this is the “devil’s schemes.”
You know that accusing voice that tells you you are not enough, that you are worthless, that you’ve made too many mistakes, or that things are hopeless?
Sounds like a “devil’s scheme” to me.
Put on the whole armor of God and recognize the devil’s schemes in your own life. Make it personal because it is personal.
Remember “who” you’re fighting. It’s not the people around you.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12
Totally get it. Some people are just more difficult. Or I read a sign earlier this week that said, “Give me the grace for people who sin differently than I do.”
Some situations are just hard.
But let’s remember who exactly we are fighting. Then, we will know what we need to bring to battle.
Head into battle with truth.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.
Ephesians 6:14 a NIV
If you’re going to be successful in the battle, you need to know the truth.
Setting time aside for Bible reading and prayer is vital. It doesn’t have to be hours long, but you need to grow and learn.
Meeting up with God every day will help you grow in truth.
It would be best to have direction and truth when making your stand.
Live pleasing to God.
With the breastplate of righteousness in place.
Ephesians 6:14b. NIV
Live sincerely to please God. Not perfectly, but sincerely. Practice integrity in every area of your life. Try to walk with God and follow his will.
None of us will do this perfectly, but we can consistently try.
Bring peace, truth, and God’s love wherever you go.
And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:15 NIV
Bring the “Good News” wherever you go. God’s peace and love are needed in every area of your life. Commit to that.
We don’t often think of soldiers bringing peace, but they do.
They are liberating people from tyranny and bringing hope.
It’s time to walk out what we believe and meet each person with God’s peace.
Grab your shield of faith and take it with you.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Epshesians 6:16 NIV
When you think about what this looks like, consider this verse.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
It’s not always what we see but often what is unseen.
Reading your Bible, listening to teachers who are grounded in God’s Word, and attending church are ways to grow your faith.
Make sure of your salvation, and then immerse yourself in the Bible.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17 NIV
If you need to explore your salvation, please consider clicking on the link from Billy Graham’s website: Peace With God.
Begin to read the Bible and meditate on it. Consider memorizing Bible verses as this is the most effective way to fight the enemy.
https://www.singlemomoutwest.com/faith-for-single-moms/bible-memorization-is-important/
Pray constantly. And pray about everything.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18
It’s time to become faithful prayer warriors.
Suppose our minds are busy praying. We are not going to be prey for the enemy.
And then you get up the next day and put on your battle gear again.
We want to think that we get days off from this. But that’s not true.
We can rest. But after that, we put on the same armor and start over.
It’s not a one-time thing; it’s a daily thing.
We can get dressed in battle gear daily, fight back, or become victims of the devil’s schemes.
Our armor may seem heavy initially, but as we get used to gearing up and carrying our swords and shields, we will gain strength and get wiser to the devil’s schemes.
