"Armed and Extremely Dangerous"

“Put on the whole armor of God”

Everyday we are engaged in a conflict with the enemy. Everyday we have to bear arms to defend ourselves. The good news is that the Lord has given us weapons to fight and defend ourselves. He would not leave you defenseless. The weapons of our warfare are not physical in nature as one would come to expect to use to protect and defend. No, the weapons that we use have far more greater power than that of a conventional gun or a bomb. Our weapons are “mighty through God”, that is, they are stronger, more powerful, unbreakable, impenetrable, and everlasting. Though the weapons are not of this world, yet they have divine power to demolish strongholds. As a soldier fights in a war he is equipped with weapons and gear to protect against enemy artillery. Similarly, a Christian soldier is equipped with armor to withstand all the fiery darts of the enemy.

While Paul was imprisoned, he looked upon the armor a Roman soldier was wearing. From there he began to visualize the armor as means of protection. He also visualized believers in Christ wearing armor to defend themselves against the enemy. Paul admonishes believers to, “put on the whole armor of God.” What is this armor of God? And why should I wear it? Armor must dissipate a projectile's energy and thus prevent total penetration. We have to remember that this is not a conventional war were soldiers engage each other with hand to hand combat on a battlefield. This is a war that is fought against, “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”, Eph 6:12, against Satan and his kingdom.

Therefore, as Paul said, Eph. 6:11, “Put on the whole armor of God. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. "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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

We are called to put on a breastplate, shoes, a girdle (armor around the waist) a shield, a helmet and a sword. Then and only then can we declare war on the enemy. Without the armor of God you are defenseless and powerless. There are many people who are winning the battle but losing the war and become a prisoner of war. It is, game, set and match! You lose and the enemy wins. That is why Paul said, “that you might be able to withstand.” If you are serious about taking the shackles off your mind so you can take back your life from the enemy, then you must put on the whole armor of God. My brother and my sister you can be fully clothed in the armor of God. Spiritual warfare is very real. That is why I encourage you to take up your sword and shield and with these two symbolic weapons of the Spirit so you can be fully clothed in the armor of God. When you put on the armor of God you can go on the offensive and attack what is attacking you and render the enemy ineffective. It is time to take the gloves off and put the armor on. The enemy is no match for you when you put on the armor of God. Become the enemies, enemy.

© Copyrighted Material 2011 Marquis Evans