Daily Word
Prepared By: Suzy Naber
11/12/2006
Ephesians 6:11-17 : 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes; 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
This spiritual armor is the classic description of the equipment given to us to use for spiritual warfare. When Paul wrote this letter he was imprisoned in Rome. His description of the "Spiritual Armor of God" was based on that of a Roman soldier. We have to be equipped with the spiritual armor of God in the same way the Roman soldier is equipped for hand-to-hand combat.
There are seven armors of God that Paul uses which represent truths about our lifestyle. We have to put on these spiritual armors daily to be ready for combat so that "when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground".
1. Belt of Truth (verse 14 of Ephesians 6)
"14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist" The Roman soldier wore his belt whether or not he was on duty; but it had a military attitude "I'm ready to fight". The belt was essential to the soldier because it kept everything in its proper place. So is the Truth; it performs the same function. We have to stand in truth, without compromises because the truth will maintain our righteousness and will work on our sanctification. The truth sets us apart unto God. The devil will always try to attack our mind and deceive us by leading us to believe lies, which is opposite of the truth. We must therefore watch over our mind, filling it constantly with the truth which is in the Word of God; John 17: 17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth".
2. Breastplate of righteousness (verse 14 of Ephesians 6)
"14 Stand firm then …with the breastplate of righteousness in place," The Roman soldier's breastplate covered all his vital organs, protecting his body front and back, and was usually made of metal. The same applies to righteousness, if we walk in righteousness, we will be protected, body, soul and mind. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 Paul explains that "God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God". So, righteousness is not of us but a free gift from God. We become the righteousness of God, when we repent and turn to God, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ that he died for our sins. All our sins – past, present, and future, were forgiven. Satan has no longer the power of death over us because we have been transferred from Satan's domain of darkness into God's glorious kingdom of righteousness. God's righteousness has been put to our account. It has been imputed through His death and imparted to our lives through His Spirit. God does not condemn. God does not accuse. God convicts of sin and seeks to lead us to repentance. Satan is "the accuser of the brethren" and accuses us night and day. (Revelation 12:10) The devil will never give in, he will always try to keep our sin before us and will remind us of our sins in order to confuse us and have us doubt our righteousness: But remember what Paul wrote in Romans 8:12 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Amen.
All we need to do is to constantly check our hearts and be right with God and with others.
Scriptures to read: 1 Timothy 4:1-2 "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 6-8; "If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly; for physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your belt of truth and for your breastplate of righteousness. Thank you dear Jesus, because You are sitting at the right hand of the throne of God to make intercession for us; (Hebrews 12:2 and 7:25), therefore I will not fear any evil. Amen.
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