Listen:  116.4

Let’s read Ephesians 6:11-18, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.    Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”  As believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are involved in a never ending warfare.  We do not war against fleshly enemies.  Our struggle is a spiritual one; we fight against ‘spiritual wickedness in high places.’  We have a mighty enemy in the devil.  He is crafty, subtle, and brutal.  He certainly has a ‘take no enemies’ mentality.  According to 1 Peter 5:8, Satan, “…walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”  Therefore, it is vital that we put on the whole armor of God.

Notice it is the ‘whole armour of God’ that we are to put on.  Nothing less than to be fully clothed with the protection and strength of the Lord will be enough to keep us safe.  In putting on this armor, we have:

  • Our loins girt about with truth – While it is so important that we hold on to truth, we must make sure that truth is holding us, as illustrated by the sash, or belt, that is used to gird oneself.  The truth that we learn must be applied to our daily lives.
  • The breastplate of righteousness – We guard our hearts from the influence of evil forces by always seeking to live a righteous life.  According to 2 Corinthians 5:21, as believers we have been, “…made the righteousness of God in him.”  Now we need to live a life of practical righteousness so that our testimonies are above reproach.
  • Our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace –  This speaks of always being ready to go out with the Gospel of God’s grace.  1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
  • The shield of faith – We hold up the shield of faith to stop, or quench, the fiery darts that are thrown at us.  It is faith that will allow us to overcome when hard times come, when persecution comes, when attacks come from all sides.  Faith will allow us to declare our belief and trust in the Lord in the face of the fiercest attacks.
  • The helmet of salvation – The helmet guards our minds with the realization that we indeed are overcomers and that we are victorious because of the free gift of salvation that we have through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God – This is our weapon against the assaults of the enemy, whether it be by outside attacks or inward doubts and fear.  It is so important that we study and learn our Bibles.  We read in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Consider how the Lord Jesus defeated Satan and his temptations by effectively using the Word of God.

Last, but certainly last least, we are to be “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”  Prayer is such a valuable tool for the believer.  May we all learn to be diligent prayer warriors, spending time in prayer every day, several times a day.  With the whole armor of God and prayer, we can truly stand against the wiles of the devil and withstand in the evil day, which is the present day in which we live.  (116.4)