Equipped for New Life
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Key Verse: “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.” Selected Scripture: |
AS THIS EPISTLE DRAWS to a close, Paul appeals to the saints. The life of a Christian is warfare because the spiritual powers of evil are committed to deter us from faithfully completing our earthly course. Left to our own resources, we surely would fail and, therefore, we need to be strengthened by God’s power—“My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”—Eph. 6:10
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.”—vss. 11,12
In order for believers to overcome all of the enemies who are conspiring against us, our Key Verse urges that we utilize the complete armor of God for protection against the wiles of the Adversary.
Here is a description of each component part: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”—vss. 14-17
“Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (I Pet. 1:13) Not only are we to have the ‘loins’ of our mind strengthened by the precious promises of God’s Truth, but also, we are to have the ‘breastplate of [Christ’s] righteousness’ that provides us with justification securely fastened as our means of protection. Our feet shod with the sandals of peace should assist us in our consecrated walk to overcome the rough pathways of life as we manifest the various graces and fruits of the Spirit.
The ‘shield of faith’ enables us to trust in God’s love and the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice as the means of our ultimate deliverance from this sinful world. The ‘helmet of salvation’ supplies us with an intellectual appreciation of God’s wonderful plan. Finally, the ‘sword of the Spirit’ as reflected in God’s Word may be used as either a defensive or offensive weapon for the advance of Truth or as a protection against error when we rely upon scriptures to furnish a “thus saith the Lord” in support of what we believe and teach.
Although not directly included as part of the Christian’s armor, we should cultivate the habit of communing often with our Heavenly Father that we and all the saints may be sustained in our Christian walk. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”—Eph. 6:18
It is a source of special comfort and strength to realize that God desires ever to bless his children abundantly. “The Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.”—Ps. 84:11,12