THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD

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

Devotion 2 of 15

THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD AND ITS PURPOSE

The concept of armor reveals something of the nature of living by faith. Our life is fraught with danger, else we would require no armor. The opposition we face is diversified, necessitating a variety of spiritual equipment for our protection.

This is armor that must be "put on." It is provided for us by the grace of God, and in Christ Jesus, but we must put it on. The Lord does not put it on us, but tells US, "put on the whole armor of God." Whatever you may think about grace, acceptance, and safety, YOU are required to "put on the whole armor of God." You may imagine you have been made superior to the wicked one, and therefore need no real protection. Still, you are emphatically told, "put on the whole armor of God." You are not impervious to assault. Put on the whole armor of God! If you are in Christ, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into your heart. You must still "Put on the whole armor of God!" Your name is written in heaven, God is for you, and Christ dwells in your heart by faith. Still you are commanded, "Put on the whole armor of God!" Christ has received you to the glory of God, God is your Father, and the holy angels are your ministers. Nevertheless, you must "Put on the whole armor of God!" Your sins have been forgiven, the righteousness of God has been imputed to you, and he that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. Yet you are exhorted, "Put on the whole armor of God!"

Pick up the armor that has been provided, and put it on. Do it in faith, persuaded of its effectiveness. Do it with resolution, convinced of is essentiality. Do it with confidence, assured that it can be put on, and will yield no disappointment or shame. This is something no one else can do for you. YOU must put on the whole armor of God. It is something your close associates in Christ cannot do for you. YOU must put on the whole armor of God. God put you into Christ, and Christ is bringing you to God. But, YOU must put on the whole armor of God. The "whole armor of God" is not like king Saul's armor was to David. It is well suited for you, will be no burden to you, and will bring you no disadvantage. Do what the Lord demands. "Put on the whole armor of God."

However, we are not simply provided an assortment of weaponry from which we may select favored pieces. Our text admonishes us to "put on the WHOLE armor of God." Other versions read "the FULL armor of God." Darby translates it "the panoply of God." "Panoply" is the English form of the Greek word–a transliteration. That is simply spelling the word in the characters of another alphabet. The word "panoply" means the FULL SUIT OF ARMOR, with nothing omitted. The effectiveness of the armor is found in its completeness. If all of it is not "put on," it will not be protective.

And why are we to "put on the whole armor of God?" It is in order that we might be able to "STAND against the wiles of the devil." To "stand" to be unmoved by the assaults of the wicked one. It is to hold our ground, not being lured into forbidden territory, or caused to conduct ourselves as though there was no God. To "STAND against the wiles of the devil" is no small achievement. In fact, it is not even possible without putting on "the whole armor of God–i.e., armor God has graciously supplied. Romans 5:2 reminds us that we "stand" in grace. That is the domain in which we stand. The whole armor of God is what we put on in that realm. Romans 11:20 affirms we "stand by faith." That same faith constrains us to put on the whole armor of God, and to keep it on. First Corinthians 15:1 says we stand in the Gospel. That is the message our heart embraces and our conscience maintains. When we leave a remembrance of the Gospel, we will not be able to keep ‘the whole armor of God." The clear implication is that we will NOT be able to stand against the devil's "wiles" without this full suit of armor.

God is not honored when those who wear His name fall to the schemes of the devil. Those who have embraced a view of God and His salvation that allows them to ignore the whole armor of God need to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor 10:12). Put on the WHOLE armor of God!

The word "wiles" speaks of schemes, designs, and strategies. It carries the idea of a purpose, a plan, and a moral blueprint. Satan's attacks are characterized by dark strategies and designs. They are cunning, crafty, and often very deft and clever. Our adversary is wicked, but he is not stupid! He seduced the only morally perfect woman who has ever lived (2 Cor 11:3). He has lured men like David, a man after God's own heart, into sin (2 Sam 11:2-4). He provoked Peter to rebuke the Lord Jesus for saying He was going to suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed (Matt 16:21-23). He moved the Galatians to stop obeying the truth (Gal 3:1). The history of the church is cluttered with the moral and spiritual wreckage of those who have "left" their "first love" (Rev 2:4), made "shipwreck of the faith" (1 Tim 1:19), departed "from the faith" (1 Tim 4:1), and "fallen from grace" (Gal 5:4). Let no none doubt the reality of "the wiles of the devil."

There is a sort of spiritual naivety in the Christian community that views Satan as though they had no need to be armed against him. They imagine he will run from them at a word, and shrink back in fear because they shout the name of "Jesus" in his face. But they do greatly err! Of old time, certain Jews "tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, ‘In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.'" It all sounded very good. However, "One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?' Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding" (Acts 19:13-16). They did not have the "whole armor of God" on, and thus could not stand against the attack of demons, to say nothing of the "strategies of the devil!"

Let it be clear. The only proper thing to do is "put on the whole armor of God." The only way to stand is to "put on the whole armor of God." The only way you will be able to be victorious over the schemes of the wicked one is to "put on the whole armor of God."

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the sufficiency of the armor You have graciously provided. In the name of Jesus, grant me grace and strength to put it on and keep it on.

– Tomorrow: THE REAL STRUGGLE --