New Life In Christ Pt. 17 Walking with the Armor of God

"Put on" the whole armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-11  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

We have been digging deeper into walking after the Spirit, walking in the Spirit and being led by the Spirit. In this post we will think about walking in the Spirit with the armor of God. We already learned much about this lifelong battle between our flesh (old man) and the new spirit (new man) that God gave us when we turned to Jesus Christ with repentant faith and were born again. 

Paul told us that this battle creates paralyzing conflicts within us so that often we are unable to live for Christ. He also gave us the keys to a victorious Christian life by submitting to the ministry of God's Spirit. This summarizes the battle within each believer between our old man and our new man. God's Spirit helps us war against our old man and the sinful flesh.

However, there is spiritual warfare that takes place outside of us. This involves our active enemy, Satan and the fallen angels that seek to do his evil bidding. He also is against us. Therefore, Paul told us we must be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

The words "be strong" refers to gaining strength from God through our placement as believers "in Christ." We do not have sufficient strength for the ongoing battles that we face from within us and from external foes. But our Great God does and He strengthens each of us when we come to Him. Jesus Christ is our commander in chief, the captain of our salvation, the rightful ruler and governor of all things. He is the One whom we serve and love. 

The word "power" refers to having irresistible strength, overwhelming force that nothing can withstand. The word "might" collectively refers all the power of the Godhead, which is infinite power. 

We have noted many of the "put offs" that Paul warned us to do. In this text we have a significant "put on" that is necessary for entering spiritual warfare that we encounter each day. We are to "put on" the whole armor of God.  It includes offensive and defensive components such as a sword and prayer or helmets, shields and protective body equipment. The Greek word translated "whole armor" is found in our word "panoply" which refers to a complete collection of armor for battle.

Paul also gave us the primary reason or motivation for putting this armor of God on each day. We need it so that we can stand against the wiles of the devil. The word "wiles" refers to the cunning deceitfulness and treacherous trickery of Satan. The Greek word translated "wiles" is in our word "method" or "methodology" and it suggests that the devil has a somewhat systematic approach to attacking born again Christians. 

Spiritual warfare requires God's powerful help.

Ephesians 6:12-13  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

The apostle goes on to explain that this is spiritual warfare, just as he reminded the Corinthians that their weapons were spiritual not carnal in nature (2 Corinthians 10:1-6). The word "wrestle" is a word that literally means a violent shaking, causing intense vibrations and referred to athletes competing in wrestling matches. It also refers to soldiers engaged in hand to hand, life or death combat. 

Paul used the word "wrestle" to convey the intensity of spiritual warfare around us and within us. We need the power of God and the armor of God in order to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 

The first part of the battle is fought against "principalities" which means seeking to be first in all things and it specifically is used in connection with fallen angels or demons. Satan was cast out of heaven because he wanted to be first before God, to supplant God and to be worshiped as God (Isaiah 14 & Ezekiel 28). 

This is a struggle against "powers" of the kingdom of darkness, a fight over the right to rule and the authority to govern all things. Satan wants control, but God is in control and He will prevail. 

It is a war against the "rulers of the darkness of this world." The Greek word translated "rulers" is "kosmokrator" which refers to the lord of this world, the prince of this age in connection to the devil. Satan is called the "prince of the power of the air" in Ephesians 2:2. He is called "the god of this age" in 2 Corinthians 4:4. 

It is a fight against "spiritual wickedness in high places." This refers to a war against extreme depravity, excessive evil in the spiritual realm that is being waged even in the heavenlies. Revelation 12:7-17 tells us about Satan being cast out of heaven by the power of God.  

We stand firm in God's armor. 

Ephesians 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Because all of these things are true and because we are without strength in and of ourselves, Paul implores us to turn to God who will fit us or arm us for this mighty battle. It is a clear imperative from God that we must obey. We disregard His command to our own peril. If we have the armor of God we will be able to withstand all enemy attacks in this evil time. The words "be able" is power in the mind and will to do that which God commands. This Greek word is found in our word "dynamite" which refers to very explosive power. The word "withstand" means to set yourself against in opposition to the evil, resisting the evil.

The only way that we can successfully stand against the evil is by having the whole armor of God. When God works through us in this manner and we have accomplished all that we can through His power, then we "stand." This word refers to remaining safe and sound, unharmed, standing in a state of readiness with a steadfast mind. It has the idea of an object being firmly fixed and secured so that it cannot be blown away by winds or washed away by floods.

Thoughts to Ponder...

Since Paul spent time in Roman prisons, he was very familiar with the soliders routines, the equipment that they used and the type of armor that they wore. 

Paul gave us one of the best "put ons" that he could when he commanded us to put on the whole armor of God. Spiritual wickedness must be met with spiritual power and this is God's method for equipping each soldier in the army of Christ. 

Satan is a powerful, evil adversary but God has given us ample help. The wrestling Paul speaks of reminds us that we are engaged like a soldier in hand to hand combat, but with spiritual enemies. Thus, physical weapons offer no help. However, the armor provided by Almighty God gives us the spiritual protection and weaponry that we need. 

Our goal is to go forth to the battle each day wearing the armor of God. If we do this we can resist the enemy's attacks and oppose his evil strategies. Victory is through Christ and believers are in Christ. He will carry us through the battle until He calls us home.

I pray that Jesus Christ will help us learn about all the individual parts of His armor and that we will seek to be fully protected and armed for the conflict. May He find us "good soldiers of Jesus Christ."

Bob