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 4 of 15

STANDING FIRM

The seriousness of spiritual warfare cannot be overstated. We are occupying a world into which we do not fit. We are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth," and "desire a better country, that is, an heavenly" (Heb 11:16). As adequate as our bodies may be from an earthly point of view, they are "vile bodies" from the correct view, and must be buffeted and brought into subjection to the desires of our renewed hearts (Phil 3:21; 1 Cor 9:27). Everything in the natural world, regardless of apparent worth and desirability, is targeted for destruction. As it is written, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet 3:10).

Not only this, we have an adversary that walks up and down in the earth as a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet 5:8). Rather than being a weak and insipid opponent as some have foolishly represented him, his presence requires sobriety, diligence, and steadfastness in the faith, else he is sure to overcome us (1 Pet 5:9). While some refer to the devil as though he was a mere myth at the best, and a foe of no consequence at the worst, the Holy Spirit speaks quite differently. He admonishes us to "be sober!" and be vigilant!" because of his presence (1 Pet 5:8-9). We are warned to give no place or opportunity to him (Eph 4:27). Novices are told they can fall into his condemnation, reproach, and snare (1 Tim 3:6-7). Some are "taken captive by him at his will (2 Tim 2:26). He will flee from no one who does not resist, and stand against, him (James 4:7). Those inhabiting the earth are told, "Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" (Rev 12:12).

Our text has told us we can only stand against "the wiles of the devil" if we "put on the whole armor of God" (Eph 6:11). Now the Spirit will take the matter further. He will affirm there are special assaults made against believers during which standing takes all of the effort they can muster. Even then, they must have "the whole armor of God" upon themselves, or they will not be able to withstand, or stand firm.

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13). "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm" (NASB).

If you have ever been tempted to treat life in Christ as something casual, open your ears to the language of this exhortation. "TAKE up . . . FULL armor . . . may be ABLE to resist . . . the EVIL day . . . done EVERYTHING . . . to STAND firm." I do not mean to be disrespectful of any professed follower of Christ. However, those who can read such words and continue to maintain a casual spiritual stance are fundamentally dishonest and unbelieving. They are tottering on the brink of disaster, ready to be swallowed up of their adversary. Those who go so far as to adopt a theology that justifies their indifference are close to committing "the great transgression" (Psa 19:13).

We were first admonished, "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (v 11). Now we are told to put it on that we may "be able to withstand in the evil day." This is a day when we must do "everything" to stand firm. No casual and indifferent stance is allowed on this day. It is not a matter of IF such a day will come to you. Rather, it is "WHEN the day of evil comes" (NIV). Just as surely as Job had his "evil day," you will have yours! It will be in measure, but it will come! Just as Satan was not able to do all he wanted with Job, so he will be restrained in your "evil day." But it will come, and you may be sure of that! You may presently be sailing on a quiet sea, but the storm will come!

What is "the evil day?" In this case, it is not a day marked with moral evil–it is not a sinful day. Rather, it is a calamitous day, an occasion of special hardship, test, and trouble. It is a time like Job experienced, when all of his possessions and all of his children were taken from him in a single day (Job 1:13-19). It is a day like that which young Joseph experienced "Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him" (Psa 105:18-19). It is a day like Elijah had when he sat fatigued under a juniper tree and reasoned, "even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away" (1 Kgs 19:10).

The ultimate "evil day" came when Jesus was delivered over to the powers of darkness. When He was arrested by the soldiers, He said, "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but THIS IS YOUR HOUR, and the power of darkness" (Lk 22:53). His was the transcendent "evil day," but it was not the only one. You will go through one also!

The "evil day" is a day of Satanic assault. It is a time of Divine testing. It is an occasion when you pass through the fire and the flood. During such a time little or no progress can be made in the faith. Holding your ground becomes the main thing. Standing up in the wind becomes primary. Not being washed into a state of retrogression becomes the real issue. And how does a person hold up under something like that?

I will tell you how! He will have do "everything." No stone can be left unturned. The "whole armor of God" must be "taken unto" the person–personally appropriated. It is not ‘taken" when the "evil day" arrives, but in anticipation of its arrival. When the storm of testing suddenly arises, you must have the armor on if you are going to stand. Even with it on, it will require all of your effort to stand: "having DONE ALL, to stand." You will have to exert yourself to believe, and may even have to cry out, "Help Thou mine unbelief!" (Mk 9:24). Your objective is to "stand firm." It is to hold your ground. It is not to lose ground.

When the black storm clouds have lifted, and the Lord has rebuked the devourer, those who took the Spirit's admonition seriously still are standing. They will still be believing. They will have withstood the worst their adversary was allowed to hurl at them. I ask you, is that not a good reason to "take up the full armor of God?"

Now you know why people fall in the time of temptation. It is because they did not take unto themselves "the full armor of God." Now you know why famous media evangelists have fallen in our time. They did not "put on the whole armor of God." If you yourself have fallen in into disgrace and shame, now you know why. It is because you did not "take up the whole armor of God." By the grace of God, all of that can change, and you can "stand firm" in the "evil day." Now, at this very time, begin appropriating the whole armor of God, and put it on. Put it on so you will be "able to stand in the evil day!"

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank You for the full armor, and ask for strength to put it all on. I know the evil day will come, but I also know it will come under Your government, and with Your consideration. Help me to glorify You and honor Jesus by standing in the evil day!

– Tomorrow: GIRDED WITH THE TRUTH --