Our Armour

Part 1 of 2

 

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)   

 

Following on from yesterday’s thoughts, it would be prudent to examine the armour of God in detail to understand how we should use it to our advantage. Firstly, what is the armour of God? It is the provision given to every believer to equip them for battle. Since we are at war, we have been instructed to put on the whole armour of God. Let no one fool you into believing that we are not in a fierce battle. Who then is the enemy? We have enemies within as well as without. “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.” (James 1:13-17) 

 

A reality familiar to all, both young and old, rich and poor; there is no exception! A continuous barrage of fierce struggles that we all face on a daily basis. The Apostle John explains it like this: “For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1John 2:16-17)

 

So, it is clear why we need the “amour of God”; it is a help that, when used to its fullest potential, enables us to do the will of God. Self, with all its pitiful will, is put on the back burner while God is glorified in and through our example. We place Him first and ourselves second. Look no further than our great Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, and see His example, and we will soon get the idea. To what extent should we take this seriously? We must all make up our own minds before God, our Father. However, this was the extent to which the Lord Jesus laid down His life for us in obedience to the will of His Father; “And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."” (Luke 9:58)

 

Not only are we our greatest enemies; let me explain. Our lust lures us in the opposite direction to the call that God has placed on us. And there is also an external force, a fierce enemy with one objective: to get the child of God to walk in disobedience, to undermine their God and Father’s will, and ultimately to curse God.

 

Before the creation of mankind, there was a conflict in heaven. Satan opposed God and convinced one-third of the angels to side with him. Their punishment was banishment from the presence of God. So then, what do they do now? Here is some insight into Satan’s objective: “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." (Job 1:6-11) 

 

Note: Satan is seen on the earth, going to and fro and walking up and down on it. Why? It is obvious that he looks for those whom God has favoured, and then seeks permission to bring trial against them, which in turn will hopefully get them to “curse God.”

 

There is a fierce enemy that patrols the earth, seeking to trip all who walk by faith. Do not be deceived; this is our reality. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

 

With this understanding, we must conclude that we are in a fierce battle. There seems to be so much against us. Realistically, what chance do we have? Nay, let the truth be told. We have victory in and through the One who has already overcome. Praise the wonderful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

 

Who is then entitled to God’s armoury and all the wonderful equipment available for battle? Those who are born of the Spirit, those born again, and those who believe in their hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess Him as Lord with their mouths. Where so many of us go wrong is that we only try to put on some of the armour at any given time, instead of putting on the whole armour of God; “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)

 

Until next time then...

 

Signing off

 

Tyrone