The Armor of God
(NIV) Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
When our son was entering the fourth grade, I began taking turns driving him and three other kids to school. I know that Jonathan dreaded the week when I drove, because I would not let any of the kids get out of the car until I prayed over them, putting on the full armor of God so that they would be protected from seen and unseen terrors.
I started with the helmet of salvation, because the enemy attacks our minds so we must keep our thoughts pure. Then the breastplate of righteousness, or right living, covers our hearts. The belt of truth is vital because we cannot walk in a lie and have communion with God. We must wear shoes that leave footprints of peace wherever we go, and carry the shield of faith to stop the arrows that are being thrown at us. The shield is light enough to carry but heavy enough to block the attacks by the enemy.
The only offensive weapon is the sword of the spirit—the very Word of God! But to use this weapon we must know God’s Word. And we must put on the shoes that help us leave footprints of peace wherever we go.
And then what? Then, we rest in knowing that we have stood against the wiles of the devil. May we continue to war against the enemy, knowing God is on our side.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Seeking Holiness 