Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-18

10  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11  Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12  For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14  Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15  As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16  With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17  Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18  Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

Israel had passed through the wilderness-had crossed the Jordan; the manna had ceased; they ate the corn of the land. They were settled in the land of Canaan as though it were all their own without striking a blow. They ate the produce of this good land in the plains of Jericho.

So it is with regard to the Christian. Although we are in the wilderness, we are also in the heavenly places in Christ. We have crossed the Jordan, we have died and are risen again with Him. We are sitting in the heavenly places in Him, that we may enjoy the things of heaven as the fruit of our own country. But conflict is before us, if we desire to enjoy them practically. The promise is of every blessing, of all the promised land, but where so ever we shall set our foot on it (Joshua 1).

For this we need the Lord's strength, and of this the apostle now speaks. Now, with regard to us, it is not with flesh and blood that we have to fight, as was the case With Israel. Our blessings are spiritual in the heavenly places. We are sitting in Christ in the heavenly. We are a testimony to principalities and powers in the heavenly; we have to wrestle with spiritual wickedness in the heavenly. The enemy is subtle. We have to withstand his stratagems even more than his power. Neither the strength nor even the wisdom of man can do anything here. We must be armed with the whole armor, of God.

Make no mistake, that battle is still happening. We like to think we are more civilized than those misguided early believers. We no longer believe in spiritual powers or the devil or anything like that. We might as well say we do not believe in the wind since we cannot see it. We can, however see its effects. The same is true of spiritual warfare and power. We may not be able to physically see those powers but we can certainly see its effects. We have become “wise” to the point of foolishness. We cannot see our nose before our face. We say that our nose does not exist therefore we refuse to acknowledge it. The battle is still happening. The victory is not by our wisdom or strength but through God.

Paul was trying to explain this spiritual battle in a way his initial audience, and we, could understand. His example was right the, the Roman guard to whom he was chained. This man was always ready for battle. He had his whole armor on and could fight in an instant. He would not be surprised. This was an image with which his audience was very familiar. It is one with which we also are well acquainted.

Let us observe first, that the Spirit turns our thoughts upon God Himself before speaking of that which has to be overcome. "Be strong in the Lord." It is not, first of all, a refuge from the face of the enemy; we are in it for ourselves before we use it against the wiles of the enemy. It is in the intimacy of the counsels and the grace of God that man fortifies himself for the warfare from which he cannot escape, if he would enjoy his Christian privileges. And he must have the whole armor. To be wanting in one piece exposes us to Satan on that side. The armor must be that of God-divine in its nature. Human armor will not ward off the attacks of Satan; confidence in that armor will engage us in the battle only to make us fall in combat with a spirit who is more mighty and more crafty than we are.

Now by the power of the Holy Ghost, who has been given to us for this purpose, we shall find that the armour of God relates first to that which, by setting the flesh aside, and by maintaining the existence of a good conscience, takes all hold from the enemy; then, to the preservation of complete objective trust in God; and next, to the active energy which stands with confidence in the presence of the enemy, and using the weapons of the Holy Ghost against him. The defensive armor our own state, comes first. The whole ends with the expression of the entire and continual dependence on God in which the Christian warrior stands.

We will examine this armor of God, that we may know it. It is all practical-founded on that which has been accomplished, but in itself practical. It is not a question here of appearing before the bar of God, but of resisting the enemy, and of maintaining our ground against him. Some things you might want to look at in the listing of armor:

1. Most of the things listed are for defensive purposes.
2. Only one is for offensive purposes.
3. There is no mention of guarding your back.

We are girded, protected by the truth of God's mercy and grace.

Having your loins girt about - That ye may be ready for every motion. With truth - Not only with the truths of the gospel, but with "truth in the inward parts;" for without this all our knowledge of divine truth will prove but a poor girdle "in the evil day." So our Lord is described, Isaiah 11:5. And as a girded man is always ready to go on, so this seems to intimate an obedient heart, a ready will. Our Lord adds to the loins girded, the lights burning, Luke 12:35; showing that watching and ready obedience are the inseparable companions of faith and love

The breastplate guards Christ's righteousness within us.

And having on the breastplate of righteousness - The righteousness of a spotless purity, in which Christ will present us faultless before God, through the merit of his own blood. With this breastplate our Lord is described, Isaiah 59:17. In the breast is the seat of conscience, which is guarded by righteousness. No armour for the back is mentioned. We are always to face our enemies.

Our feet are shod for the purpose of presenting the gospel wherever we go.

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel - Let this be always ready to direct and confirm you in every step. This part of the armour, for the feet, is needful, considering what a journey we have to go; what a race to run. Our feet must be so shod, that our footsteps slip not. To order our life and conversation aright, we are prepared by the gospel blessing, the peace and love of God ruling in the heart, Colossians 3:14,15. By this only can we tread the rough ways, surmount our difficulties, and hold out to the end.

The shield of faith protects us from the daily onslaught of Satan's methods.

Above or over all - As a sort of universal covering to every other part of the armour itself, continually exercise a strong and lively faith. This you may use as a shield, which will quench all the fiery darts, the furious temptations, violent and sudden injections of the devil.

The helmet of salvation guards our minds where the main battle takes place.

And take for an helmet the hope of salvation - 5:8.The head is that part which is most carefully to be defended. One stroke here may prove fatal. The armour for this is the hope of salvation. The lowest degree of this hope is a confidence that God will work the whole work of faith in us; the highest is a full assurance of future glory, added to the experimental knowledge of pardoning love. Armed with this helmet, the hope of the joy set before him, Christ "endured the cross, and despised the shame," Hebrews 12:2.And the sword of the Spirit, the word of God - This Satan cannot withstand, when it is edged and wielded by faith. Till now our armour has been only defensive.

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God.

But we are to attack Satan, as well as secure ourselves; the shield in one hand, and the sword in the other. Whoever fights with the powers of hell will need both. He that is covered with armour from head to foot, and neglects this, will be foiled after all. This whole description shows us how great a thing it is to be a Christian. The want of any one thing makes him incomplete. Though he has his loins girt with truth, righteousness for a breastplate, his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit; yet one thing he wants after all. What is that? It follows,

At this point, I must ask, "How did Christ use the word?" When Satan tempted Him, Christ Jesus began each reply with, "It is written." We should learn to wield the sword of the Spirit with such accuracy. Any person who has ever studied sword technique understands that it may be used for offense or defense. Our defense and offense begins with, "It is written."

We are to stand, pray, and watch. They are three more keys to success in Christ

Praying always - At all times, and on every occasion, in midst of all employments, inwardly praying without ceasing. By the Spirit - Through the influence of the Holy Spirit. With all prayer - With all sort of prayer, public, private, mental, vocal. Some are careful in respect of one kind of prayer, and negligent in others. If we would have the petitions we ask, let us use all. Some there are who use only mental prayer or ejaculations, and think they are in a state of grace, and use a way of worship, far superior to any other: but such only fancy themselves to be above what is really above them; it requiring far more grace to be enabled to pour out a fervent and continued prayer, than to offer up mental aspirations. And supplication - Repeating and urging our prayer, as Christ did in the garden. And watching - Inwardly attending on God, to know his will, to gain power to do it, and to attain to the blessings we desire. With all perseverance - Continuing to the end in this holy exercise. And supplication for all the saints - Wrestling in fervent, continued intercession for others, especially for the faithful, that they may do all the will of God, and be steadfast to the end. Perhaps we receive few answers to prayer, because we do not intercede enough for others.