Get Ready for the Battle!

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 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.
Paul finishes out the chapter to the Ephesians with these words.  As the Ephesians carry out their calling they will face opposition that is beyond human understanding. Paul talks about a spiritual world that is dark and where powers are at work that oppose the people of God.  Paul calls it a "spiritual battle". As the Ephesians enter this battle he wants them to be prepared mentally and spiritually.  From the beginning the devil has been a schemer and Paul wants them to be prepared for his tactics which are not new.  
Paul uses the analogy of a foot soldier engaged in hand to hand combat as a metaphor for being prepared for this spiritual battle.  There are several parts of a soldier's armor Paul uses.  Most of these are defensive, but there is one offensive weapon, the Sword of the Spirit.  Note the helmet of salvation.  When you are in the battle you need to protect your head where your brain is.  The hope of salvation is a great protection for the battle of life.  Salvation is our hope that no what happens we will be delivered.  
The breastplate of righteousness covers our heart, another vital organ.  We know the righteousness we have is Christ's not our own.  Righteousness from Christ is the vital part of our faith as without it we are dead in our trespasses without it.  The shield of faith is what we use to fight off the flaming arrows of the evil one.  The devil is always working on our minds and trying to get us to trust something other than God for happiness.  The devil also works to discourage us from trusting God by faith.  Therefore the shield of faith helps us to trust in God when the evil one throws lies at us.  
Finally, we have the one offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  While a lot of times in our spiritual lives we feel we are on the defense, we have a weapon our enemy can't stand up against, God's Word.  As Martin Luther wrote in his famous hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God",
"Though hordes of devils fill the land
All threat'ning to devour us,
We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
They cannot overpow'r us.
This world's prince may rage,
In fierce war engage.
He is doomed to fail;
God's judgement must prevail!One little word subdues him."
Brother and sisters in Christ, let's not be unaware of the devil's schemes.  I believe his 
biggest strategy is to stay under the radar. But the Holy Spirit guides us to see where 
the evil one is at work, take the shield faith and the sword of Spirit  which is the 
Word of God.  Friends we never have to be afraid of our enemy, as he is already been 
defeated on the cross. Until Jesus returns we will be in a battle but we have the Armor 
of God.  Let's put it on! 




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