In Ephesians 6, the armor we are to put on is not our own and it’s not made by human hands. It’s God’s armor.
The Armor of David’s Choice
When David decided to face the giant Goliath, King Saul wanted David to put on his royal armor for protection against the powerful enemy. But David told Saul that he’d prefer not to put on the king’s armor. It was unfamiliar and uncomfortable. David had no confidence in that armor.
He was accustomed to God’s protection. God had protected him when he fought against a bear and a lion while he watched his father’s flocks. As he talked with Saul, he recalled how God had come through for him so many times. Reminiscing about what God had done increased David’s confidence in God. He chose to trust God in his impending battle against the giant. David refused man’s mode of protection– he didn’t want to fight in his own strength. Instead he put on God’s armor. He had faith in God’s love for him and he was confident that God was willing to protect him (1 Samuel 17:23-46).
” We must all be aware that our defeats have mainly come from one of two errors– the one being that of fighting in our own strength and the other being that of leaving unused our God-given power.”
Alexander MacLaren
Putting on God’s Armor
Putting on God’s armor means having an attitude of dependence on Him. This provides a higher level of confidence in His power. It makes it easier to have an expectation of the fulfillment of His promises. As we draw closer to Him and commune with Him, we rest and receive His power. It’s all about receiving Him. It’s all about receiving His love.
Hear Jesus encouraging us, “Be of good cheer, I have already overcome the world [the troubles that we face].” If He has already overcome whatever we are facing, why would we try to defeat an enemy who has already been defeated? If He has already finished doing everything it takes for us be more than conquerors, why would we try to complete a work that’s already been completed? He wants us to rest in His victory.
Jesus accomplished the vanquishing of every foe on our behalf (Colossians 2:15). He stripped them and disarmed them, publicly shamed them, and triumphed over them on the cross and through His resurrection. That’s why we can now stand as more than a conqueror. He did all the work in order to let us enjoy the spoils of His victory.
Would it make sense for a soldier to only wear one piece of armor and then expect to enjoy complete protection? No! A soldier can expect complete protection only when wearing the entire armor provided. It is likewise with God. We’re instructed to put on the whole armor of God (in its entirety) so that we can experience all the blessings He has planned.
Your Pieces of God’s Armor
- Put on the helmet that your salvation provides so that your mindset is one of belief in God’s love for you.
- Put on the breastplate that your righteousness in Christ provides so that your emotions will reflect the knowledge that you have been made “right,” in God’s eyes.
- Put on the belt that the Truth provides so that God’s armor is securely fitted on you and you can believe that His Truth is protecting you at all times.
- Put on the shoes that the peace of God provides through the promises of God, equipping you to stand your ground erect and to move forward.
- Pick up the shield that faith provides. Faith believes and speaks the Word of God in order to quench the devil’s fiery tactics. Faith enables you to take hold of God’s strength, so that you can rest from trusting in and using your own strength.
- Pick up the sword that the Spirit provides so that you can make preemptive strikes and enforce the victory Jesus has given you by telling the enemy what God says about your situation.
- Pray consistently so that your attention is on the One who is able and willing to dissipate and dispel any fear caused by the enemy.
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