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 15 of 15

CONCLUSION TO SERIES

When you were born again, received Christ, were baptized into Christ, and were translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son, Satan did not go out to lunch. Principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places did not surrender. You did not embark on a life of ease, or begin an effortless journey to heaven. Instead, you entered a war zone, fierce spiritual conflict, and the opposition of the powers of darkness.

To be sure, you are more than a conqueror through Him that loved you (Rom 8:37), and He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). Because the conflict is fierce by no means suggests your triumph cannot be sure! You have been provided spiritual weaponry that is superior to all of the artifices of the enemy (2 Cor 10:4-5). That weaponry does not, however, allow you to be complacent, or conduct your life without due regard for the "wiles of the devil" and the "evil day."

You are admonished by the Holy Spirit to "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Eph 6:10). This is not a mere suggestion to be stalwart – you will not be able to survive if you are not strong. Further, the required strength is only possible "in the Lord." It is only when His strength becomes your strength that you will be able to survive the assault of the wicked one.

Thus you are exhorted to "put on the WHOLE armor of God" – every part of it. There is a belt of truth to be girded about you, holding everything together in place, and making the armor beneficial to you. Without a due regard and love for the truth, victory is not possible, regardless of profession. When you are girded with the truth, all of the wiles of the devil are neutralized.

The protective breastplate of righteousness must be upon you, protecting your heart and the vitals of your "new man." This is a righteousness that "comes from God through faith in Christ" (Phil 3:9). It is given to you because you have no righteousness of your own. Satan can blast through your "righteousnesses," which are nothing more than "filthy rags" (Isa 64:6). But he is powerless to penetrate this righteousness that comes from God.

Your feet are to be fitted with the peace that flows from the Gospel. A settled tranquility can come upon your soul that will enable you to hold your ground, and even navigate in spiritually high places. An uneasy and agitated soul will not do battle well against the devil and his hosts of darkness.

You have been given a shield that is superior to anything and everything hurled at you by the devil–the shield of faith. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world and solidly aligns you with the living God (1 John 5:4-5). When Satan flings his poisonous temptations at you, your faith will blunt them and remove their fire. Without the shield, however, they will penetrate your person, poison your soul, and weaken you. Take up the shield, being strong in faith and giving glory to God.

If you win against the devil, you must have a sword that can slice through delusion and wound the old serpent. You cannot do battle with human logic, syllogisms, and the like. The Scriptures must not be strange to you, and the mind of the Spirit must be in accord with your own thinking. With this sword, you can make advancement against the enemy, and put him to flight. Without it, you will fall backward, be snared, and taken.

Remember to pray always with all manner of prayer, doing so "in the Spirit," with understanding and faith. Pray not only for yourself, but for all saints everywhere. You are engaged in the same battle as they. You need their prayers, and they need yours.

Thus we have briefly surveyed "the whole armor of God" in this series. It is "armor," not "fine clothes" (James 2:3). It is given for the warrior, not the casual spectator. No child of God needs to be lacking in fighting the good fight of faith. Our God has provided weaponry and armor that are fully adequate for what we face. Nevertheless, it all must be "put on," and "put on" in its entirety.

Now, be up and putting on "the whole armor of God." Do not be weak, but strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. When you face the wiles of the devil and the evil day, do "all," and "stand." By so doing, you will bring great glory to God and triumph over the evil one.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You for all of the armor You have provided. In Jesus' name, help me to appropriate and effectively employ every part of it.

– Tomorrow, New Series: THE CROSS OF CHRIST --