Often when we read the Bible (especially if it's not our first time) we do it simply to get it done, without thinking about the text. But the Scriptures will change our lives only when we learn how to stop and ask ourselves: "how can I practically use this?"
I suggest you read the abstract about the whole armor of God with this thinking.
"11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints".
Ephesians 6:11-18
Confrontation of Forces
If you have ever read fairy tales you know that most of them are based on the idea of confrontation between the good and the evil, and the good wins almost every time. It's not a secret that in the real world there is a constant confrontation of the same two forces: the good that is God and the evil that is the devil.
In our reality, the good has also won, but this victory will fully happen only when Jesus comes again, but until then we're fighting on one of the sides. This is the wrestle that Paul is talking here about.
If you call yourself a Christian and stand for Jesus, the devil aims his "schemes" or attracts at you. But the Lord doesn't make us fight with our own might, He gave us a whole armor that is described in detail in the Scripture.
The Whole Armor of a Christian
The Belt of Truth
Paul suggests we fasten our belts of truth which means two things: to know the truth and to stand (or walk) in the truth.
Knowing the truth means understanding the Gospel and the way the world works from the Christian point of view. The belt of this truth holds us and our armor together. Standing and walking in the truth means following the teaching that we believe in. If you do the right thing, you don't leave a place for devil's lies and attacks.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
"Above all else, guard your heart" (Prov. 4:23) - this is why we need the breastplate of righteousness. It helps us not be vulnerable to the devil's attacks both from the outside (from people or circumstances) and the inside (our own thoughts). If we keep the integrity of our righteousness, the accusations thrown at us will not be justified, and the temptations will be easier to fight since we don't have a negative experience with them.
The Readiness Given by the Gospel of Peace
The shoes mean the readiness to go (since we put them on last), so here Paul says that we need to always be ready to go and preach the truth of the Gospel with our words and actions.
Moreover, the gospel should be preached through the peace which is so hard to find in our restless time. To put on the shoes of the readiness given by the gospel of peace means to live in peace and share it with others.
The Shield of Faith
It's interesting how the Bible calls faith our shield that would protect us from "the flaming darts of the evil one". Those darts (or arrows) come into our lives from all directions: through our thoughts, through temptations, through evil words, through difficult circumstances. Our main weapon against them is our faith. I already wrote about how we need to proclaim what we believe in. This is our strength!
The Helmet of Salvation
A helmet is a good symbol of protection of our thoughts because often they become our weak spot through which we give in to fear, anxiety, or delusions.
When we fill our thoughts with Jesus and His word, our heart becomes filled with confidence in God, the fear of the fight goes away (because it's already been won!), and the devil has no chance of penetrating our thoughts and spreading lies and fear there.
The Sword of the Word
Apart from the protective armor, Paul also suggests we arm up with the Word of God. Jesus used this weapon when he was tempted in the desert and showed us a great example of how we need to know and use the truth that comes from the Scriptures.
Remember though, that our fight is not against people and God doesn't call us to hurt or judge anyone using the Bible. The word of God helps us strengthen our hope and gives us a weapon to fight the devil.
Pray at All Times
Many people stop there but I'm convinced that the next verse also applies to the whole armor of God. The process of the fight is impossible without prayer, and though it doesn't have a "knightly" name in these verses, it holds great power.
"praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints" (Eph. 6:18)
This verse instructs us on how we should pray:
at all times - in every battle;
in the Spirit - being led by the Holy Ghost;
with perseverance - regularly, not only when we feel like it;
for all the saints - meaning praying for each other! We all fight our own battles and we all could use some prayer support.
God's Victory
Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. (Rev. 21:6-7)
These words from the revelation about the end of times remind us that Jesus will come again and He will overcome the devil and all his followers. If in our every day we put on the whole armor of God and stand firm through all the devil's attacks, the Lord of Lords will call us victorious! He will forever be our God and we will be called His children. And our inheritance will be the kingdom of heaven. I can not imagine a more desirable reward!
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