Ephesians 6:13-18
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
In this passage Paul commands us to "put on the whole armor of God" (verse 13). We are in a spiritual battle, so we need to use the Lord's protection and power, which is what the imagery of the armor is about. There are several aspects to this that we need: truth (verse 14), righteousness (verse 14), readiness (verse 15), faith (verse 16), salvation (verse 17), the word of God (verse 17), and prayer (verse 18). Note that we are commanded to put on the "whole armor", not just some of this armor. The goal is "having done all, to stand firm" (verse 13). Resisting evil is not easy. A half-hearted fight will lead to defeat. But the good news is that practicing these disciplines and trusting in God through them, we can defend against "the flaming darts of the evil one" (verse 16), and can fight with the "sword of the Spirit" (verse 17).
Lord, I confess to often being lazy and not putting on the whole armor. Help me to realize the seriousness of the threats, and put on the whole armor of God.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
In this passage Paul commands us to "put on the whole armor of God" (verse 13). We are in a spiritual battle, so we need to use the Lord's protection and power, which is what the imagery of the armor is about. There are several aspects to this that we need: truth (verse 14), righteousness (verse 14), readiness (verse 15), faith (verse 16), salvation (verse 17), the word of God (verse 17), and prayer (verse 18). Note that we are commanded to put on the "whole armor", not just some of this armor. The goal is "having done all, to stand firm" (verse 13). Resisting evil is not easy. A half-hearted fight will lead to defeat. But the good news is that practicing these disciplines and trusting in God through them, we can defend against "the flaming darts of the evil one" (verse 16), and can fight with the "sword of the Spirit" (verse 17).
Lord, I confess to often being lazy and not putting on the whole armor. Help me to realize the seriousness of the threats, and put on the whole armor of God.