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 13 of 15

THE ARMOR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Believers have been called into a fight, not a tea party. Paul, who was "not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles," confessed "I FIGHT" (2 Cor 11:5; 1 Cor 9:26). When he came to the close of his life he acknowledged, "I have fought a good FIGHT" (2 Tim 4:7). Believers are exhorted to "FIGHT the good FIGHT of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called" (1 Tim 6:12). From the very beginning, we engage in spiritual battle. Early believers were admonished, "call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great FIGHT of afflictions" (Heb 10:34). Those living by faith prior to the Gospel are said to be those who "waxed valiant in FIGHT, turned to flight the armies of the aliens" (Heb 11:34).

Those in Christ "WAR," but not "after the flesh" (2 Cor 10:3). They are exhorted to "WAR a good warfare" (1 Tim 1:18) and abstain from "fleshly lusts that WAR against the soul" (1 Pet 2:11). We have received "the weapons of our WARFARE," and are engaged in "the PULLING DOWN of strong holds," and "CASTING DOWN imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor 10:3-4).

This is the reality of our situation in Christ Jesus. It is why we have been given spiritual armor, and are to put it on in its entirety. This brings us to our next consideration, "the armor of righteousness."

"By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left . . . " (KJV). " . . . by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left" (NASB). " . . . with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left" (NIV). – 2 Corinthians 6:7

In this passage, the Apostle is declaring the proper manner of conduct in this marvelous "day of salvation." This is the time in which we can be "accepted," and when we can be "succored," or nourished, from heaven (6:2). It is the time of unparalleled grace, which is not to be received "in vain" (6:1). Nothing must be allowed to rob us of the blessing brought to us in "the accepted time."

In strict comportment with his calling, the Apostle acknowledges he has placed no stumbling block before the people, or made it difficult for them to receive the grace that is offered in Jesus Christ. The people have not had to work around his deficiencies to obtain salvation (6:3). If there are any setbacks or flaws in the people, it is not because they heard a flawed Gospel, or received it from a dishonest or uncommitted messenger.

The Apostle then provides the practical credentials of Kingdom laborers. In everything, and under all circumstances, they had "approved" of themselves as "ministers of God." They had endured the assaults of the enemy and the hardships of the road: "approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience." They had conducted themselves honorably and to the glory of God "in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings" (vs 4-5). Faithfully they had appropriated the graces provided in salvation, allowing nothing to deter them from gaining the blessing: "by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned" (v 6). They had taken to themselves heavenly resources which made them adequate for the battle: "By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left" (v 7).

The "armor of righteousness" refers to purity of conscience and holiness of life, differing from the "breastplate of righteousness." Personal purity is protective, neutralizing the effectiveness of Satan's wiles and darts. In confirmation of this, our Savior once said, "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and HATH NOTHING IN ME" (John 14:30). Satan could tempt Jesus, but could gain no foothold in Him because of His purity. Truly, He is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Heb 7:26). His was a perfect righteousness, and no blemish of any sort was found in Him. That righteousness was armor to Him, and it will be to us also.

We are protected from the devices of the devil to the degree we are holy and pure from sin. This is the result of presenting our "members as slaves of righteousness for holiness" (Rom 6:19). It is when "the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit" (Rom 8:4).

The people of God are exhorted, "Awake to righteousness, and sin not" (1 Cor 15:34), and to "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph 4:24). God is not glorified and Satan is not overcome by those who are "unholy." The saints are told, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright" (Heb 12:14-16). Impiety shuts the door of heaven and gives the advantage to the devil. It is not possible to be armed for battle and maintain an unholy life.

Righteousness is imputed to us in Christ. Eventually, however, it must erupt in the DOING of righteousness. Thus John wrote, "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him" (1 John 2:29). Again he writes, "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous" (1 John 3:7).

"The armor of righteousness" must be found "on the right and on the left," so that we cannot be caught unawares by the devil. Some versions read "FOR the right hand and the left." The imagery is that of intense activity, using both hands in the battle. Just as those of Nehemiah's day had a fighting weapon in one hand and worked on construction with the other (Neh 4:17), so the believer has righteousness in both hands. With the one he "denies ungodliness and worldly lusts," and with the other he "lives soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world" (Tit 2:12).

Do not think to survive "the evil day" if you are unrighteous and spiritually sloppy in your living. If there is sin in your life, run quickly to the Lord, confess it, and receive His cleansing (1 John 1:9). Victory is not possible while the stain of sin remains upon us. Satan will gain a foothold in those who refuse to "abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul."

PRAYER POINT: Father, I desire to be pure and holy, and thank You for providing a salvation that answers that desire. In the name of Jesus, I pray for sensitivity to the presence of all that offends you, and strength to put away from me every false way.

– Tomorrow: ARMING YOUR MIND --