Strength. Courage. Boldness. All are desirable attributes for a warrior fighting on the battlefield, but how important are they in our everyday lives? Absolutely essential! The truth is, God designed us for war and equipped us to engage the enemy on the spiritual battlefield every day of our lives.
We are never out of the reach of temptation. Both at home and abroad, we are liable to meet with allurements to evil; the morning opens with peril, and the shades of evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well-kept whom God keeps; but woe unto those who go forth into the world, or even dare to walk their own house unarmed. Those who think themselves secure, are more exposed to danger than any others. The armor-bearer of Sin is Self-confidence. Be not secure. We need, a watchman for the night, as well as a guardian for the day. Oh, for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us active and useful! – Charles Spurgeon
THE WALL
A warrior never lets his guard down outside the city walls. The watchmen never gets restless as he is looking out onto the horizon for a possible attack from the enemy. The town folk inside these walls are feeling secured. The result, a unified, protected city with walls that cannot be penetrated. Think again. The enemy is not going to attack from the front gate, he is searching for a weak spot outside the walls that have been left unattended for him to come through. Are you protected?
The Full Armor
We all have loop holes, parts of the wall which in our life that are weak. We may try to patch the holes, repair it. May work for a little while but will soon find out that we are not able too.
Solomon who was the wisest man in the Bible (before Jesus) who wrote in Proverbs 25:28 ” A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” If we do not fix what needs to be fixed its condition gets worse and worse until it reaches its breaking point. The city that thought it was so secure is now in havoc due to its carelessness of the condition that the walls were in. Our armor of “willpower” is defeated when we face the enemy on the outside trying to stop this force from coming in, we are destroyed.
Are we wearing all of the armor?
TRUTH
” Stand firm then, with the belt of Truth buckled around your waist.” Ephesians 6:14
This belt was foundational for battle. In short, it supported the weapons that allowed the soldier to fight. The belt is a reminder that Jesus is the foundation for spiritual battle. He is the Truth that stands against all lies and deception of satan. “Jesus is the way and the truth” – the very basis for life. To win our spiritual battles our fight must be anchored to the Truth found in Jesus alone.
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
“…with the breastplate of righteousness in place…” Ephesians 6:14
The function of the breastplate was simple – to protect the soldier’s vital organs. In close hand-to-hand combat the breastplate was essential for survival. No trained soldier would venture into battle without it. If we start to believe that our own righteousness, effort, or good works can make us worthy of God’s protection, the advantage quickly changes to benefit our enemy. Our righteousness is worthless in the battle. We need to get our eyes off of ourselves and back on the provision of the Cross and the Righteousness that is found in a true relationship with Jesus.
SHOES OF READINESS & PEACE
“…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace.” Ephesians 6:15
Without this, we cannot be prepared to fight. Paul tells us that our preparation for battle is the Gospel. The work of Jesus here on Earth brought us peace with God. This reconciliation through Jesus allows us to fight with boldness, confidence, perseverance, and peace.
SHIELD OF FAITH
“In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16
The only protection against the flaming arrows that rained down from the sky in ancient warfare was the shield. If used correctly, it was a trustworthy piece of equipment. If dropped, it became useless and the soldier’s fate rested with himself. We trust in Jesus alone as our shield. We cannot rely on our own abilities in this battle.
HELMET OF SALVATION
“Take the helmet of Salvation…” Ephesians 6:17
The helmet was essential for the survival of a soldier in battle. Paul in using word “Salvation” indicates that the helmet is a source of total deliverance. In Jesus, we can find deliverance in every situation, spiritual, emotional and physical. He has to be our source, our guide, our “way out”. We cannot deliver ourselves.
THE SWORD
“…and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:14
When used at a close range by a skilled soldier, the Sword was a deadly weapon. Paul tells us that the sword represents the Word of God, the written picture of Jesus. He is the living version of everything God wanted to say to mankind, God’s Word is a powerful weapon against our enemy when it’s used under the spirit’s power and direction.
A lot of equipment for us to wear everyday, BUT Through Christ all things are possible.
~ Be Ready, Stay Focused & Never Look Back ~
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