When we hear the word armor, most of our minds immediately think about military personnel and the equipment they utilize for protection while in harm’s way. We also imagine the tools they need to accomplish their objective(s) on the battlefield. History has recognized armor as vital for the service member’s survival in the face of enemies seeking to conquer, kill, or destroy the service member’s way of life.
Our Lord, aware of our spiritual enemy (Satan) and our need for protection, provided spiritual armor to us (Believer’s/ followers of the Lord Jesus Christ). Throughout the Bible the Holy Spirit constantly encourages us to “put on the whole Armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11-12); so that we (His body of Believers) may be able to prevail against all the wiles, schemes, trickery, and plots of every wicked spirit and evil force present in this world. The Armor of Light (another name for the Armor of God), according to Romans 13:12 and Ephesians 6:14-18 is designed to help us resist evil and stand firm in the mindset and actions of absolute obedience to the Lordship of Jesus the Christ.
Let’s look at soldiers and their armor from a natural standpoint to gain better understanding…Armor is one of the most important pieces of equipment a soldier has. It is simple, but having and using it properly can be the difference between life or death. Armor can mean different things to different soldiers. To the novice, armor is mysterious, cumbersome, and difficult to initially put together or set up. Using the right items at the right time can be a challenge, as they [The novice] are not yet comfortable in the gear they’ve been issued. They are immediately recognized by both the veteran soldiers around them and the enemy. Over time, however, the armor becomes like a second skin; with the individual now able to move with the same ease and efficiency as they would without wearing it.
Believers are in the middle of a spiritual battlefield with a very real enemy who is seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8; John 12:31-32).
The experienced soldier, on the other hand, knows excellent “tips and tricks of the trade”. He/She knows how to use their armor for maximum benefit. However, time also has an effect on this soldier…The experienced soldier may grow weary of doing the little things. They may become complacent. Any combat veteran will tell you the almost overly repeated statement, “Complacency kills.”
Complacency occurs when a veteran has been sent to the same general area numerous times, having gained such a level of knowledge about the area they are considered the area expert. While this person can pass on valuable insight; oftentimes they’ve become desensitized, overlooking or underestimating potential threats to themselves and those around them. Even, to the point of not taking all of their armor with them during an operation; especially if they have visited the same area over and over again without so much as a skirmish with the enemy.
There is a direct correlation between the Lord Jesus the Messiah and the Armor of God. When we come into Christ via Salvation, we are issued all the necessary equipment required to rule and reign over the enemy – the armor of God. There is a full set of spiritual armor with your name on it, and you have been given authority to use it. Here is the caveat, however; Submit to God (put on Christ – clothe yourself with; completely entering into the views and interests to the point of imitating Christ in all things. Take His way of doing, thinking, and being). Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 NKJV).
Submitting to God means we are being protected by God and look like His Son Jesus. This is exactly what the word is talking about in Romans 8:28-30. God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God (in other words, people who are submitted to Him. John 14: 15, 21, 23-24 ), to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified (NASB).
Jesus said frequently, “Abide in Me” (John 6:56, 15:4-9, 17:21). So there is the element of remaining that must be adhere to for the correct, proper, and fully suitable use of the armor of God. I can’t find a place in the Word of God, where it is written that we should take our armor off and put it back on in the morning. So, it’s a very good indicator that we should always leave it on! – Remain in the covering. Abide in the whole armor of God at all times!
Abiding in the whole Armor of God is vital, since we have an enemy who is seeking whom he may devour; who then would he be looking for? The answer…The sleeping, the un-expecting, the unprepared, the novice, the complacent, the weary, the partially dressed for battle, anyone that he would otherwise have an advantage over for one reason or another. We have been given both defensive and offensive armor, equipment, and weapons (Ephesians 6:14-18, 1 Corinthians 10:3-6); as well as training on how to use these items through the study of and correct application of the word of God. It is our job to use what Jesus provided for us, not the Lord’s. It is our job to put the armor on, and make sure we have it on in it’s entirety. It is our job to be sharp and vigilant.
Spend time with the Holy Spirit daily. As you spend time with Him, listen to what He has to say. Ask Him what He wants to talk to you about. Take notes or write it down. After you have heard what the Holy Spirit has to say, ask Him if there are any gaps in your armor. Ask Him to reveal to you if there are any places where the enemy may be able to gain access to your life. If any place is revealed, ask the Lord to forgive you. Then, do what He says to you (in His written word and by inspiration of the Holy Spirit) to correct the situation. Finally, give no place to the enemy (Ephesians 4:25-32). Abide in the Lord Jesus. Live with the armor of God on continually, never take it off!
List of the armor/weapons given by God: (By no means exhaustive, but a place to start)
The name of Jesus: Philippians 2:8-11, Ephesians 1:20-23
The word of God: Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13
Binding and loosing: Matthew16:19
Forgiving: Matthew 6:14-15, Mark 11:25
Love: 1 Corinthians 12: 31-1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Prayer of faith based on the accurate application of the word of God: James 5:16
Salvation: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Truth: John 17:17, Roman3:4
Righteousness: 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 1:9
The Gospel of peace: Romans 10:14-15
Praying in the Spirit: Jude 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 14:2, Romans 8:26-27
Faith in the true and living God: Matthew 8:10, John 5:19
Obedience: Matthew 26:39, Luke 22:42, Philippians 2:8
Unity instead of division: 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:16
A way of escape: 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 9:14, Romans 8:1
Godly Wisdom: James 3:17
The Mind of Christ: 1 Corinthians 2:16
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