HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine: Special Feature: Our Armor Must Be Worn

ARTICLES

ART & MUSIC

DEVOTIONALS

COMMUNITY

SHOPPING

SEARCH
Support
Contact

Suggested Internal Links

Turn in your Bible to Ephesians 6:10-14. These five verses will prove to be very helpful in your understanding of the battle that is going on. I would suggest that you memorize them during the next several days.
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in your strength of His Might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore…

Verse 10 Be Strong!
Verse 11 Put on!
Verse 12 Take up!
Verse 14 Stand firm!

Because the battle is an invisible warfare, our strength is not external. This refers to inner strength, as the tenth verse concludes, “…in the strength of his might,” referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be strong in Him. Lean on Him, by faith. Turn to Him in prayer. Walk with Him in confident trust…drawing upon His power.

Be strong in the strength of the Champion.

At the cross, when Christ Jesus died, He “disarmed” all creatures of darkness. He “triumphed over them.” So then, He is the champion. When you turn to Him for strength, you are mining to the One who has sovereign authority over them. He won it at the cross. Be strong in the strength of the Champion.

Put on what? Ephesians 6:11 spells it out. We are to wear “the full armor of God” so we may be able to stand firm against the enemy’s schemes. Good troops who fight well are well-equipped. Inferior weapons and poor equipment spell sure defeat.

It is there, available and waiting, to be claimed. The full supply is yours tailor made to fit your personality, your set of circumstances, and your need. Reach out by faith and mentally “take up” the armor of God. You'll learn how to use it in days to come; but first, grab hold of it.

This is so important, the same words appear three separate times (Ephesians 6:11, 13-14). These are the words of confidence and assurance. They tell us we have nothing to be afraid of. Nothing. After all, the One who does the fighting for us is the Champion. And the enemy is already defeated—it happened at the cross, remember? Of course, he doesn’t want you to know that. Which explains why his favorite strategy is deception. He will throw up smoke screens that will appear terrifying and scary and awfully impressive…but behind all that noise and smoke is a full awareness that he is defeated.
So whatever you do in dealing with demonic powers, Christians, do it with confidence. With absolute, victorious assurance. He is the victim; you are the victor. So stand firm!