1. Put on, keep on & take up the whole armor.
2. Use God's armor - not cheap substitutions
3. Use God's spiritual weapons in His power for his purposes.
The text doesn't stand alone. Armor in other verses: 1 Thes 5:5–8; Rom 13:11–12
The same Greek word translated as “armor” in the passages above, is translated “instruments” and “weapons” in the verses below: Rom 6:11–13; 2 Cor 6:3–11; 2 Cor 10:3–5
Keeping soldiers in uniform with ALL of the heavy, cumbersome equipment in place is an extremely frustrating task - in garrison, prior to deployment, in training, & in country.
It takes God’s spiritual armor, & spiritual weapons, to defeat an enemy occupying spiritual terrain.
Ephesians 6:11–18 (ESV) — Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, |
