Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
I was given a vision many years ago of the Shield of Faith that God had placed over my life. I was allowed to hear the ping of the darts against His shield. I was allowed to experience it three times. I was so reassured of His love for me and for all children who placed their trust in Him to protect them. I was also allowed to smell the incense of the prayers of the saints three times. I knew then that our prayers for ourselves and those we love are far more powerful than we can comprehend. My sisters and I have always felt that the faithful prayers of our paternal Grandmother was at work in our lives for our eternal salvation. I recognized Holy Spirit’s presence in my life as a little girl of 8 that was molested and I knew at 9 walking home on a hot dusty road in the country that I trusted God alone, not man, to protect me. This memory has stayed with me throughout the many trials that would shape my 74 years. Did I always understand the depth of His love for me? NO. Did my life reflect that love? NO. But I always, always trusted Him above anyone or anything. I am so very, very thankful for my faith. The only time in my life that I could not hear Holy Spirit was when hate for one of my abusers overcame my forgiveness. That happened once, I will never allow it to happen again. I can have righteous indignation for the actions of others but hate cannot replace my love for God and for His creation. I pray for the eyes of their understanding to be opened to the only Love that matters…God’s it covers a multitude of sin. Carla
Be strong may also be translated “be made strong.” The passive voice would suggest that we cannot do it ourselves.
The whole armor of God is the believer’s protection against evil and the Evil One.
Paul presented the extended metaphor of the battle dress roughly according to the order in which the various pieces were put on.
Wiles of the devil are Satan’s subtle tricks to defeat Christians in spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 11:3). Our real battle is not with human cultists, false religionists, atheists, agnostics, and pseudo-Christians, but with the demonic beings working through them, of which even the flesh and blood opponents themselves are sometimes unaware.
The evil day is taken by some to refer to the end times when the Evil One will launch a ferocious campaign against Christ and His army. A more common view is that any great spiritual contest in a believer’s life could be in view here.
Verses 14–17 present the six pieces of spiritual armor. Four are mentioned specifically and the belt and shoes are implied.
Soldiers girded themselves with a belt, from which hung strips of leather to protect the lower body. Truth is considered crucial by Paul (4:15, 25), because a dishonest Christian cannot hope to withstand the father of lies himself. The truth referred to here is integrity, a life of practical truthfulness and honesty.
The breastplate of Roman times went completely around the body, so that the back of a warrior was also protected. The breastplate was made of hard leather or metal. The righteousness that the breastplate represents is not the righteousness of Christ, which all believers possess, but the practical, righteous character and deeds of believers.
A Roman soldier’s feet were shod with hard, studded shoes. Paul used this image to represent the preparation of the gospel of peace. This may mean either that the gospel is the firm foundation on which Christians are to stand or that the Christian soldier should be ready to go out to defend and spread the gospel.
Above all may mean that the shield is to be used against everything. It may also mean that the shield is to cover the whole armor. A Roman soldier’s shield typically measured two and a half feet by four feet. The Christian’s shield offers protection against all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Flaming arrows could not penetrate the fireproof shield of the ancient Roman soldier, nor can the assaults of Satan penetrate to the believer who places his or her faith in God.
The helmet of salvation was an intricately designed Roman helmet it protected the soldier’s head and also made him look taller and more impressive.
The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in the believer’s armor. This weapon is not necessarily the Bible as a whole, but the specific word that needs to be spoken in a specific situation. To have the precise word ready, a person must know the Bible intimately.
Without prayer, all the armor in the world would be of no use. General prayers and specific petitions in the Spirit are to be made for all believers and at all occasions. Perseverance and patience in prayer are essential. The NKJV Study Bible
Isaiah 59:17
For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
Isaiah 11:5
Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,
And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,“Your God reigns!”
I carry Sojourner Truth’s wonderful affirmation in my heart, “Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all go easier. I will not allow my life’s light to be determined by the darkness around me.” “Sabbath Moments” Terry Hershey
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