Armor of God

Armor of God - Christian Struggle
The armor of God is essential in the life of a Christian because all Christians struggle. This struggle is not the same as non-Christian struggle. Christian struggle begins primarily in the spirit. Those not believing in God or those believing in a powerless god find their struggles in the everyday circumstances they face. Their struggle may be with the individual who cut them off on the road, or with a family member who has disagreed with them in some way. Though Christians can have moments of disappointment such as these, they do not find their struggle here.

Christians view life from a different perspective. When the individual cuts them off in traffic or a family member disagrees with them, they may feel anger or a series of other emotions but they see the source of their angst as something other than the person or situation. They realize that the one behind their trouble is not human, but spirit.

Ephesians 6:12 makes this clear as it says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” With this revelation living in their heart, Christians automatically take to the place of their protection, their peace, and their strength; that being the place of His mighty power.

Armor of God - His Mighty Power
The armor of God is discussed in Ephesians chapter 6. Verse10 of this chapter says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Christians have one great understanding that provides all the hope that they need in any given situation. Understanding that God is the most powerful being, that He is the one who made all creation and that nothing in all the universe can thwart Him, corrupt Him, or overpower Him, provides them the ability to stay confident and humble in all situations.

Proverbs 21:30 says, “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.” Romans 8:31 says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” It is an understanding of these truths that propels a believer in Christ through the hardships of life.

Believers in the Holy God of Israel stand their ground in the midst of a continuous battle going on all around them. They do so because God has provided them with every tool they need in the midst of the struggle. Ephesians 6:13 says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…” The day of evil can come at any given moment.

The day of evil is the day in which our lives are brought into question by an enemy who hates us. He hates us because we are God’s most precious creation and as a result he wants to kill, steal, and destroy the life we have been given. Yet, this spiritual armor protects the believing man or woman from every scheme, attack, or plan that the enemy may bring against them.

Putting on the Full Armor of God
Putting on the full armor of God is a daily process done in prayer, in worship, and in ongoing relationship with the Father of our lives. Scripture describes this armor and its purpose as well as the spiritual benefits that it brings in Ephesians 6:14-17. The Scripture reads, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Despite the desire that the enemy has to remove us from the faith Christians carry in Christ, God has provided for them an armor to wear into battle. With this armor, no weapon of the enemy can flourish. The armor, a gift of a mighty Father to His devoted children, provides the confidence, peace, hope, and strength that a believer needs to thwart the enemy and stand strong in an ongoing and daily spiritual struggle.

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