The Full Armor of God

We have giants we need to face and battles we need to fight. In recent weeks, I have been writing about how to fight. Our inspiration for spiritual warfare comes from Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 6:10-18. Paul begins by saying, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…” (v. 11). So you must be fully dressed for battle! What are the pieces of armor required for battle? We began last week with the first one—The Belt of Truth (v. 14) and we move on today to the second and third pieces of our armor—
Breastplate of Righteousness (v. 14)
 
This is not referring to positional righteousness, but practical righteousness (Matthew 5:6, Romans 12:1-2). Paul is speaking of living with personal character. It is always striving to live rightly. The breastplate on the soldier covered the heart. When we leave a chink in the armor of our character, it leaves our heart exposed to the devil. So many Christians allow a break in their moral character, and before long they seem to lose heart in their lives. Do not let some area of personal moral defeat leave your heart exposed. When you allow unconfessed sin to remain in your life, you give Satan a foothold in you. Confess your sins—deal with them before the devil takes advantage of your weakness and steals your heart from God. Then Paul adds another piece of the armor—

Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Good News of PEACE (v. 15)
 
Roman soldiers wore sandals with hobnails (spikes) so they would be sure-footed in rough terrain. This was not like loose-fitting flip-flops. They consisted of a piece of leather with spikes underneath and strings of leather that were brought from the leather base over the instep and around the legs three or four times. The shoes gave the soldier sure footing and enabled him to stand firm when fighting the enemy.

Paul says, “Put on the “good news of peace.” As Christians, we are given peace with God but it is the peace of God that allows us to stand firm (regardless of what is happening around us). Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you might have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). This peace delivers us from instability and enables us to be sure-footed in the rough places of life.

Dear Christian, let this series of articles remind you that spiritual warfare takes place every day and you must fully dress for battle if you would live victoriously. Put on the full armor of God…

Devotedly yours
Pastor Ron