“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil’’- Ephesians 6:11(KJV).
Like the Roman soldiers, the believer in Christ is provided with sophisticated armour to enable him stand against the satanic forces that contend with him. He is not expected to manufacture his own armour, God provides the armour, and the believer is admonished to put on the armour so provided. The armour is both defensive and offensive in nature. Note that it is possible to have armour and not put them on, just as one can have clothes in one’s wardrobe but choose to go naked. The responsibility to put on the armour so provided is that of the believer. The armour is not to be put on when the believer feels like but it should be put on always since the spiritual warfare is constantly ragging.
The defensive armours are;
- The helmet of salvation which speaks of sound mind or assurance of salvation.
- The breastplate of righteousness which is right standing with God.
- The belt or loins girt about with truth.
- The shoe of the gospel of peace.
- The shield of faith with which one may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
The only offensive weapon here is the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. Notice here that there is no provision for the back, the believer is not expected to turn his back to the devil but to face the devil in boldness and faith knowing that the victory is assured. The believer should be in the offensive with the word of God. The written word is our weapon against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. So long as the believer’s faith is in place, the darts and arrows, of the devil will be quenched. Fear will break the hedge because fear brings torment.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and love and of a sound mind “2Tim 1:7(KJV)
PRAYER: Lord, help me to always put on the whole armour and not just a fraction or part of the armour.
Rev. Vincent Diolu