Why the armor? Good question. Think about yourself as a police officer or a soldier in the military you do not go out naked to meet your enemy. Being fully armored means not leaving ourselves naked before our spiritual enemies. The 12 verse of Ephesians tells us we have enemies, where they are, and what type of combat we have with them..."For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Already in this one verse, we see 4 types of spiritual enemies. Also, scripture tells un in John 10:10 we have a thief to also contend with..."The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy....
We have no earthly armor that can protect us from spiritual warfare. Therefore we need the armor the word of God offers us that we may be spiritually armored to fight spiritual battles.
A police officer goes to work fully armored and ready to fight against the criminal elements on earth. Military soldiers go onto the battlefield fully armored to meet their enemies. A medical worker goes into the battle of saving lives as well as fully armored to dispense whatever is needed to save their patients. A fireman goes out to combat a fire fully armored. No one goes out on the field of their profession without having on what they will need to protect them and help them to do their jobs or take care of their responsibilities in a way that will be hopefully successful. Even as parents we have to fully armor ourselves with the right frame of mind when we get up in the morning a prepare for the day.
The same should be done for us the children of God. In order to walk and run the race before us, in order to combat the spiritual warfare and attacks we need to come fully armored with the whole armor of the word of God. We will not survive a battle against demons, against spiritual wickedness in high places, against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this world naked. We must be prepared.
Just like a police officer doesn't go out looking for trouble to happen, they go out prepared for trouble if it does happen. We as Christians ought to be just as wise. Matthew writes in Matthew 10:16 the words of Jesus saying, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." We should always be prepared knowing there is an enemy waiting to attack at any time. Matthew once again in the 24th chapter and 43-44 reminds us of Jesus's words about being prepared. "But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
All through scripture you will find that the armor of God...that being the word of God will prove if properly geared that our spiritual battles will be successful. There will be trials and tribulations and there will be scars, bruises, and even death, but even in death, there is victory, because the gift of God is eternal life. In the book of Isaiah 54:17, we read No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Luke 10:19 reveals to us that God has empowered us with spiritual power, listen to what Luke wrote that Jesus said, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Listen to what Jesus says in the 20th verse "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Wow just taking a moment to let what I just read dissolve within my spirit man...did you just see what Jesus said indirectly while charging us to not rejoice or get big-headed because the spirits are "SUBJECT UNTO US".
I am going to end off here, because I think I have sufficiently convinced, persuaded, and encouraged you to put the whole armor of the word of God on and keep it on. It is not a piece of jewelry that you change with the trend or outfit, it is body armor never to be taken off. The armor (word of God) needs to become a vital extension of our body, it should be as vital to us as our heart, brain, blood is to our natural body.
Well, I pray that I have done this first area of the whole armor series justice. Next, we will talk about our loins being girted with truth, it is the first part of armor Ephesians tells us to put on. I believe that there is a reason for the order each piece of armor was given. So see you on the next blog of the Whole Armor of God.
Peace and Blessing in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
ChristLike-Breed (CLB)