Put On Your Armor

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Scripture: Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Devotion:

The word "therefore" sends us back to Paul's reminder that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood" (v. 12). Real spiritual enemies stand behind the temptations, accusations, and discouragements of the Christian life. We cannot meet them in our own strength, so Paul commands us to put on the full armor of God.

Notice whose armor it is. In Isaiah, the Lord Himself puts on righteousness as His breastplate, and the helmet of salvation (Isa. 59:17). The armor Paul describes is God's own. Every piece points to Christ: His truth, His righteousness, His gospel of peace, faith in Him, the salvation He has won, and the Word He has given. To put on the armor is to put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 13:14).

Notice also what Paul expects. He does not say "if" the day of evil comes, but "when." In some seasons temptation presses hardest, grief runs deepest, or doubt grows loudest. Scripture does not promise that the Christian will be spared such days. It promises that he can stand in them.

And notice the goal. Paul does not tell us to charge ahead and conquer new territory. Twice he tells us to stand. The decisive battle was won at the cross, where Christ disarmed the powers and authorities (Col. 2:15). Our calling is to hold the ground He has taken. We refuse to surrender, we refuse to retreat, and we remain where our Captain has placed us.

How do we put on this armor? We do not need new techniques. We use the ordinary means of grace God has appointed. We take up the Word, we pray in the Spirit on all occasions (v. 18), we gather with God's people, and we come to the sacraments. This is the Lord's provision for His soldiers.

"After you have done everything, to stand." Some days, standing is all you can do. That is not failure. When the dust settles, and you are still holding fast to Christ, the victory is His, and so are you.

Prayer:

Almighty God, we confess that we are weak and our enemy is strong. Clothe us in the full armor You have provided in Your Son. Gird us with truth, guard us with His righteousness, and fix our minds on the hope of salvation. When the day of evil comes, uphold us by Your Spirit, keep us steadfast in Your Word, and enable us to stand. We pray in the name of Jesus, our victorious Captain. Amen.

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