We are at war. We may not be able to see the advance of infantry, armory, and cavalry; but we can see the advance of heathenism, hedonism, and individualism. We may not be able to see bombed and burning buildings; but we can see broken and battered homes. We may not be able to see prisoners of war caught in torture camps; but we can see sheep without a shepherd, distressed and downcast, caught in cults, false teaching churches, and dead-end philosophies. We may not see the injured, crippled, and maimed lying in hospitals; but we can see the walking wounded, lying down spiritually because they have no strength to go on. We are at war. And as such, we must learn how to suit up for battle.
We’ve all heard lessons about the armor of God. We all know from Ephesians 6:10-17 that we need to put that armor on in order to stand up against the battle we’ll face today. The tempter is coming after us. How can we get prepared? I’m sure there are all kinds of things I could write about under this heading. But today, I want to show just one thing. The only way to put the armor on is to be in God’s Word.
Ephesians 6:14-17 says:
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…
Have you ever noticed how intricately linked the Word of God is to God’s armor? Sure, we all know that the sword is God’s Word. Sadly, for a long time, that was the only part of the armor I noticed was connected to God’s Word. But consider the rest in a new light.
- Belt of truth–“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).
- Breastplate of righteousness–“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for … training in righteousness” (2Timothy 3:16).
- Gospel of peace as shoes–“Of this you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel…” (Colossians 1:5b).
- Shield of faith–“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
- Helmet of salvation–“…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).
There you have it. There is only one way to put on God’s armor. Be in God’s Word. Dr. Phil, Stephen Covey, John Maxwell, Chicken Soup for the Soul all have their uses and benefits. But none of them will put God’s armor on you. If you want to face the battle prepared today, don’t just read your paper, your e-zines, your favorite blogs. Get in the Bible.
Help us out on here by letting us know what you do to stay in the Word and how it helps you in a practical way.
Thanks for sharing this Edwin. Have you ever considered that in 1 Ths 5:8 Paul says, “put on the breastplate of faith and love.” To build on your point then… if you want to increase your faith and strengthen you love then devote yourselves to the reading of the scriptures.
Definitely, being in the Word will help with both of these. Thanks for chiming in, Clay.