Online Bible Verses - Ephesians 6:10-11 Battle Armor
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11
What, if anything, exists within me which would prompt me to do, say or think what another part of me would rather not? Is there a struggle? And, if so, what are the origins on either side? We have often seen the TV commercial or movie in which an angel sits on one shoulder and a little red devil on the other, prompting or pulling the decision maker in two directions. Good vs. evil. Can we really believe in a spiritual world where we have both authors of good and evil at war? A call I decided to make at one point. When I go in on something which will have a big impact on my life and how I live it, I tend to go all in or not at all. Embracing or rejecting scripture as God’s inspired word is the hallmark case. My feel is, you have to take it hook, line and sinker or not at all. For me, it started with the person of Christ. Who was He? More importantly, who is He? If He is who He said He was, it comes down to an in or out proposition. In His own words:
Matthew 12:30 - “Whoever is not with me is against me….”
Revelation 3:20 – “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Revelation 3:21 – “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
His words seemed clear to me. Was I in or out? That became the question. Once in, I took Him at His word. Looking elsewhere in my study of scripture, I found a clear distinction between good and evil. Satan is established as a real being, one who has great influence in the here and now. He is, in Biblical terms, the author and originator of opposition to God’s will. An enemy if you will, who’s first line of attack is to promote rejection of the notion that Christ is Lord. If and when that notion and Christ are embraced, a new battle begins. There is no need to attack one who is already outside of God’s protective arm. Once He is seen, however, and fellowship established, we are told that we will be attacked. And why? The battle for eternal status has been won (and lost), but an earthly battle has been initiated. That battle, waged on one side by God’s enemies and flesh against those who are commanded to live in God’s service. So we are instructed today to take on the full armor of God, in order to win.
Reading on in Ephesians, we see aspects of that armor:
“belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place” – Truth and righteousness, God being the source of both. These are defined by Him as opposed to the sliding scale definitions we are offered elsewhere.
“with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” – The Gospel, meaning good news. A message which tells us of a Savior, who has set us free.
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith” – All of what we believe is based on faith. We have to take that leap.
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Salvation, again, is our promise. And, perhaps our chief tangible weapon, God’s word. Study it and know it. Then apply it.
