The Armor of God Part 1 - Overview
Ephesians 6:10-17
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:10-17
In my last series on negative “D” words, I used the verse in this passage on what our spiritual struggle is, against the world forces of darkness and the spiritual forces of wickedness. Paul, in this passage in the letter to Ephesians, tells us that we have been provided by God with a full suit of spiritual tools to help us stand against evil. According to the excellent Biblical commentator David Guzik in the Blue Letter Bible the full armor of God is characterized in the following ways:
God has given His people a call, a mission, a course to fulfill. Satan will do his best to stop it. When he attacks and intimidates, we are to stand. It is plain that this is Paul’s emphasis in Ephesians 6:11 and 6:13. We do the Lord’s work and stand against every hint of spiritual opposition.
God gives the Christian a glorious standing to maintain by faith and spiritual warfare:
We stand in grace (Romans 5:2).
We stand in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1).
We stand in courage and strength (1 Corinthians 16:13).
We stand in faith (2 Corinthians 1:24).
We stand in Christian liberty (Galatians 5:1).
We stand in Christian unity (Philippians 1:27).
We stand in the Lord (Philippians 4:1).
We should stand perfect and complete in the will of God (Colossians 4:12).
Reference: Blue Letter Bible Commentary Ephesians 6
In the next few devotionals, I will explore the various parts of the Armor of God. I find this passage to be quite useful when doing intercessory prayers and I pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen that Armor in every respect.