The Armour of God is a Consecrated Life

My scripture study went through Ephesians recently, including Paul’s famous analogy of the armour of God. As I read this time, it seemed clear that Paul is talking about the regular things we should be doing as part of a consecrated life. He starts with an exhortation and encouragement:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Ephesians 6:10

and then elaborates, using the analogy of armour to illustrate:

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

6:11

The whole kit is needed, and its purpose is to protect a person from the strategies of the devil.

Why?

For we battle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, 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 after having overcome all, to stand firm.

6:12, 13

This armour of God will help a disciple of Christ to ‘withstand in the evil day’. I worry, and I think a lot of us do, about the circumstances around me; the teaching of false philosophies and the laws being made from them, the refusal to listen to others, the eager acceptance of paganism to replace Christianity, the insistence that we act and speak against our convictions, the frantic struggle to have more and its repercussions for all, the strident display of sinful lifestyles, and individual apostasy from the truth and the Church of Christ.

But there is an answer, and it’s the same answer it has always been: learning and actively living according to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is how we protect ourselves – and how anyone we care about can protect themselves – from all these things, and more.

Stand firm, therefore, having truth for a belt, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

6:14

Knowing and remembering what is true protects us from the false philosophies being spread and sometimes forced upon us. It reminds us of what is basic, and what doesn’t change. It helps us see through these false teachings and remain on the right path. In knowing the truth, we must act upon it, living according to the principles of the Gospel. This will protect our hearts and spirits from becoming faint with all that comes against us.

And your feet shod with the zeal that the gospel of peace brings;

6:15

We continue to walk forward, not giving in to coercion or the invitation to participate in the contention or the sinful practices around us. Instead, we walk with confidence in Christ, and share His bounteous gospel with the world.

On top of all these, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

6:16

Faith is so important in preventing apostasy. If your faith rests in Christ, then no matter what you hear or think, you will maintain peace and not be led to question in fear or entertain doubts which make you uncertain about what is true.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

6:17

Having our eyes fixed on our goal, which is eternal life, and the salvation of Christ, which leads us there, our minds will remain firm, and we will have the wherewithal to defend our hearts and minds and walk forward ‘in the power of [God’s] might’. We won’t be swayed by the temptations of this world, but will maintain our focus on the things which matter most – the things that are real.

Our weapon – the one weapon, because with it, we need no other – is the Holy Spirit, who teaches us truth and reveals to us the things of Heaven. With Him, we will never go astray. We will cut through the mists of darkness which Satan sends to confound us, and will not be cast down because of fear or heartache. These things will have less power over us, because we use the Gift of the Holy Ghost to direct us and protect us from all dangers.

Praying always with all types of prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching unto all this with a complete perseverance and supplication for all the saints;

6:18

To maintain this armour, we must pray continually, asking for the help we need, as inspired by the Holy Spirit. And then we must continue in all of these things in perseverance, remembering also the rest of the saints who are fighting this battle.

Truth

Righteousness

The zeal of the gospel of peace

Faith

Salvation

The Holy Spirit

Continual prayer and supplication

These are the keys to being victorious in the ongoing fight with the powers of darkness. They will not overcome us if we maintain our armour, made of these things.